Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7483 in Books
• Published on: 2007-08-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

Synopsis
This concise guide to writing is designed to help any academic become not only productive but truly prolific. It is a pithy, no-nonsense, no-excuses guide to maximizing the quality and quantity of your scholarly products. "Write to the Top!" offers an accessible overview of the art of writing efficiently and effectively; it is a one-stop source for the nuts and bolts of success in getting things written and into print, and for navigating the turbulent waters of professorial role strain along the way. This is the first book that explicitly summarizes the key elements to prolific productivity in academic settings.

Customer Reviews

Stimulating and motivating
This is a fantastic book for academics. It starts from the premise that either you write a lot, or you find a non-academic career (tough, but there you go). From there it takes the reader on a positive, inspiring tour to show how to achieve the goal of becoming a prolific academic writer. The nice thing about this book is that it fully acknowledges that there are many conflicting pressures in the life of an academic, and it tells you what to do about it in an entirely positive way (that is, moaning is not the answer). Inspiring and motivating, and a comfort read for those days when teaching, marking, reviewing and sitting on committees seems to eat all your time.

Informative - A good insider's view
Johnson and Mullen share their experience and the experience of more advanced colleagues about the process of writing academically. There is a lot to do with the circumstances surrounding the writing activity, and also many advices, in particular to nurture truly sincere human relationships which support and help with writing, possibly leading to collaborative projects.

It is somewhat less hands-on than some other books about academic writing, but it is still an inspiring, informed and informative read.

1. First, Establish a Well-Honed Writing Habit, 1
2. Become Dogmatically Disciplined and Set Firm Boundaries, 23
3. Cater to Your Writing Rhythms, 47
4. Develop the Attitudes and Perspectives of a Prolific Writer, 59
5. Know When to Collaborate and When to Cut Losses, 79
6. Practice Systematic Writing from Start to Finish, 95
7. Revise, Edit, and Revise Some More, 123
8. Seek Mentors, Mentoring Networks, and Writing Coaches, 133
9. Tackle Thoughts and Emotions that Block Productivity, 145
10. Master the Mechanics of Publication: What Publishers Want You to Know, 159
11. Drink Deeply from the Cup of Life, 177