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[scarlett]

Not sure where best to post this question so thought I'd start here. Does anyone have any experience with trying to publish a mainstream book within the general are of their academic discipline? In my case, a health book for the masses - I'm in the basic sciences. Aside from the technical issues of conflict of interest with my institution, etc. what are the perceptions, attitudes, etc. I might expect to face from my academic colleagues? I am non-tenured, newly appointed tt asst prof at an R1 institution. The book is not fluff, but not hard science by any means. I have an agent interested...I'd appreciate any insight, advice, warnings. Thanks!

[Senior Scholar]

Assuming the publisher is reputable (even if non-academic), the question can only be answered by your department and/or your dean. I know of some R-1 institutions that take great pride in faculty who publish for a general audience -- feature them in the university's publicity materials, send out press releases, etc. Other R-1 departments I know of would definitely not think a junior faculty member should be wasting time on that kind of publication, since only peer-reviewed materials are of any value in tenure decisions. First you might explore the bibliography of some of the most-recently-tenured people at your school and see if any of them have listed non-academic publications. Then you need to figure out who, in your department and perhaps beyond it, you could seek advice from.

[Spotty]

In science departments at many R1 universities, a book published for the masses will generally only be a feather in your cap if you also publish the expected number of peer-reviewed journal articles.

I agree with Senior Scholar: get advice from your colleagues / department.

[Untenured]

I agree.  Keep in mind that your department might consider this effort a waste of time.  Assume that this will count zero towards tenure.  Publish it with as little effort as possible and get back those scholarly articles which really count.  I've seen too many people almost get derailed because they wandered off the track in terms of their publishing requirements.

Untenured

[scarlett]

Thanks for the repsonses. I am approaching this with the idea that in no way would it count towards my tenure profile. I would be doing this for my own personal interests/satisfaction. At the same time I do not want it to detract from my work and my research goals. Single, young and with lots of energy, I plan to squeeze this project in on my own time. My fear is that my senior colleagues would see it as a distraction. My hope is that if I could still produce at the level expected of me, they really couldn't argue much against it. I feel strongly about the book subject and think I am in a unique position to write it. Other than taking care of the legal aspects with the institution, would my colleagues even need to know about the project?

[sidey]

I did this kind of thing.  Published a book with a semi-serious press - presenting scholarly research in a form digestable for the general public (ie: no footnotes, less theory than usual, but with 'suggestions for further reading at the end of each chapter').

While I don't consider it to be on par with my other (more serious) book(s), I do consider it to be a valuable exercise in [1] popularising my subject (in the category of 'service to the community' in the tenure file), [2] getting my own name into the public sphere - useful in terms of invites to give public lectures etc., and [3] paying for a summer holiday.  All of which seem useful to me.

[Senior Scholar]

What do you mean "would my colleagues even have to know about it?" If the book is important and worth writing, presumably the press will publicize it! Are you planning to write under a pseudonym?

[Untenured]

You can mention it to your colleagues sure.  I would make sure that you show you understand that this is not your tenure piece and that you have real journal articles X,Y, and Z waiting in the wings.  I would be concerned about giving the impression (I'm sure false) that this is the best you can do.  The stereotype may exist that those who publish in mainstream presses like this are intellectually unable to do better.

Good luck,

Untenured

[me]

Just to echo some of the other comments, first make sure you have other publications, and that folks on the faculty know about them, if you have a popular book that does well (and gets lots of publicity) the higher ups at your university will most likely be happy. Usually, they will say that a popular book is not what they want for tenure, which is probably correct, but if it sells and you get lots of publicity, well, that will make everyone happy. And if you have an agent involved, then you will likely get publicity (and an advance). That's great.

[scarlett]

Thanks for the comments - I really appreciate the insight. What I meant by "do my colleagues even have to know?" is that I would prefer to just have them find out once the book is in press. I would fulfill my academic responsibilities and there would be no question as to my commitment, etc. I don't want to make too many waves as a junior faculty and if this could be considered a negative, I would like to keep it quiet until the leg-work is done.

My research has implications for public health and I think it is really important to get the information out there. I see this mainstream book as a way to do that. It could be a bridge to a career outside academia at some point as well (something to consider given the current state of NIH funding).