Dissertations and journal articles present valuable new research and the presentation is often directed to a relatively small audience. But monographs and scholarly books take their arguments and research to larger audiences as demanded by university presses and publishers. Phrasing and terminology that communicates clearly with colleagues in your research niche have to be discarded; you now have to communicate those same data, concepts, and arguments to readers who could be relatively new to your field.
But that is just one path taken to that first monograph or scholarly book. Maybe you want to turn a chapter or a few chapters of your dissertation into a monograph. Maybe you want to start from scratch on an entirely new research project. No matter what role your previous research and writing plays, hiring a developmental editor is recommended for their experience with the workings of academic publishing. University presses and publishers of scholarly works reject 95 percent of all book manuscripts they receive. And because developmental editors place themselves in the position of the intelligent, well-educated reader, their objectivity guarantees the project will speak to a larger audience and attract more sales—key considerations for publishers. For these reasons, their input on the planning and execution of a monograph or scholarly book is vital and highly recommended.
The most effective starting point of the writer-editor relationship is at any stage—from planning and outlining to finished first draft. It could proceed chapter by chapter. The flow of work and collaboration can follow a myriad of paths but normally starts with developmental editing of chapters and sections. It’s a months- and sometimes years-long process that benefits from a close, productive relationship between writer and editor, something I strive to build and maintain. I guarantee that the finished manuscript will be in the best possible shape to present to publishers.
Dissertation to Journal Article(s)
Many researchers need to convert their dissertation into one or more journal articles in their quest for tenure or their first job. I have lots of experience doing this especially for sociologists, educators, and nurses. It usually involves a developmental edit to cut and paste sections, paragraphs, and sentences from the dissertation to align with the typical journal article structure. Then I line edit the article(s) so it’s nearly ready for submission. All that should be required is your careful review and revision to add the finishing touches.