Layers and Actions

I’m discovering how challenging it is to manage the layers and actions required to be an academic and a scholar. It’s a juggle to keep the layers organized and to sequence the actions in a step-by-step manner. As I move toward publication, I’ve come to admire those who manage to get publication completed. The articles I read, and the journals in which they are published, is a feat of persistence and perseverance. There are layers and nuances I’m just learning how to manage.

1. A book chapter which I have co-authored began in the fall of 2018. I’ve navigated through the writing, editing, rewriting, collaborating, and now reaching the contract signing stage, with anticipation of final approvals before publication. I’m reading the contract carefully to ensure I understand the layers of responsibilities and requirements for my contribution. I am amazed that this chapter will become part of my ‘body of work’ once it reaches publication completion.
2. A book review that I wrote as part of my course work in the winter of 2019, and submitted to a journal for publication, has not gotten anywhere. I did have some original communication from the editor when it was submitted, but transitions in editorial responsibilities may have derailed the submission. Since I set it aside and moved on to other things, I need to return to that submission and followup on publication options with the editor assigned to book reviews. Adding another layer to this process requires my awareness and ongoing persistence until a firm conclusion – either denial for publication or published completion.
3. A book review for a recently published book has just been submitted for publication to a prestigious media related journal, one which will raise my academic writing profile, both for the subject matter of the book I’ve reviewed, but also for the review itself. Since this was not part of any course work, it adds a nuanced change in my status as academic writer. This opportunity came through my supervisor’s work and connections in global media spaces, so another layer is added to my connections as a result. Signing up for an account with this publication also puts me into contact with others, and brings my awareness of the importance of adhering to the strict requirements for publishing in a specific journal. Rereading and reviewing the expectations and process is an essential layer. Not only being aware of these elements, but applying them in any and all documentation you are submitting is an important layer. In my case, not checking carefully meant that I submitted an earlier version of one document and had to figure out how to retract and resubmit the correct and most current version of the submission.
4. I am writing a collaborative article for publication but have not yet fully selected the journal to which it will be submitted. The topic is an important one, with many layers of content and context being explored, but unless my co-author and I have a clear idea where we hope to publish, we may have significant re-writing to do after it’s written. Layers mean that you need to attend to the correct layer as it is revealed or required. This layer is one we’ve been avoiding in our efforts to get our story written.

So, as I continue my work as an academic writer, these layers and layered projects will keep me busy – reading, researching, layering my understanding, writing, processing, and publishing. This is a process best done step by step, with a goal in mind and a checklist in hand or it will seem more like a maze than a labyrinth.