Second Book Workshop

In March 2019, the Center hosted the Second Book Workshop, featuring Suzanne Ryan, then Editor in Chief, Humanities at Oxford University Press. Faculty participants met individually with Ryan for one-on-one consultations about their book proposals and overall project goals. “It was great to have the opportunity to speak with an editor when the stakes are low,” said Deeana Klepper, Associate Professor of Religion and History. “It wasn’t like meeting with the editor you hope will want your book—you get all the expertise without the pressure.”

Similarly, Ines Garcia de la Puente, Visiting Assistant Professor of Russian & Comparative Literature, WLL, enjoyed the unique experience of having her work assessed by an expert like Ryan, saying, “I think that as professors we are used to being the teacher who regularly evaluates students’ papers, and it was refreshing, for a change, to have an educated, experienced editor evaluate my ‘paper’! Hearing about the strengths of my project was reassuring and hearing about what can be improved was inspiring.”

Participants were asked to outline the topic and scope of their projects, including its rationale, and many found this a useful intellectual exercise. “Being asked to write only a brief introduction to the project and then to provide at least a paragraph or two on each chapter gave me space to reflect more fully on what each chapter brings to the whole. That process was invaluable—thinking about the project, rather than just thinking about selling an editor on the idea,” said Klepper.

Ryan’s thoughtful comments and insights on the particulars of each project helped participants envision their next steps, both in terms of content and structure. “[Ryan] had clearly read my proposal with care and was able to approach it from the proposal-reader’s point of view, not something I had ever encountered before,” said Margaret Litvin, Associate Professor of Arabic & Comparative Literature, WLL. “I found our conversation extremely useful.”