Steven S Veach

As part of my Doctor of Theology program at Forge Theological Seminary I am completing several preliminary foundational “seminars,” including writing several articles on various topics.

This particular article focuses on a seminary I watched online about how one turns their dissertation into a book. So, let’s jump into the fray and figure out the best avenue for publishing after grad school…

A Seminary on Publishing a Dissertation

This event was held at Yale and focused on insight from several expert speakers on how to turn a dissertation into a book and what the process is like for the author.

The Finer Points of the Process

I have to admit, this presentation made one thing crystal clear for me. These people on the panel and probably the people in the audience are foreign to me. They live and exist in a completely other realm, a distinct and disparate reality from what I’ve always known. I can’t imagine anyone on that panel is making less than six figures a year. They were all probably raised in the Eastern part of the United States, to affluent families, with connections to politics or academia or industry. When these people say publishing it carries a much different connotation and fundamental definition than my own.

I did come away with a few points from their discussion, though it was much less informative than I had first assumed it would be. One point made was virtually all dissertations will be completely re-written before they are ready to be published as a book. I find this concept very fascinating. This means I can do a number of things with my research going forward.

First, I will have my dissertation document itself which I plan to publish on my portfolio site for free. Then I plan to release a digital and paperback version on Amazon for a cost, probably $50 or more. Then I will be reworking several chapters into journal articles that I will either publish in peer reviewed journals (if accepted) or will publish on my site. Lastly, I will re-tool much of the content into workbook form, adding screencast lectures, and publish them as online courses for the general public and for Churches to use. My first instinct is to make these products free, but at this point I am unsure of this.

I think it’s interesting that the speakers all stated that they are not as much concerned with the author’s career as they are with the particular manuscript. Personally, though, I think this is all just gotten way out of hand. Why are there these elaborate bureaucracies that are generations old, determining what is worthy and what is not worthy? It is a system I simply want no part of.

My Own Plan

I have self-published several books in my life – a few non fiction titles and a handful of novels. I can attest, there is a reason why the type arose of the “starving artist.” Publishing appears to be much like a lottery, though the hucksters selling books an courses to would be writers claims this is false. Hard work. Determination. These are the tools to get you to the promise land of publication heaven – where fame and fortune await.

Either they’re wrong, or I just don’t have what it takes.

I enjoy writing fiction. I even enjoy writing non-fiction (though not nearly as much). I love research and exploring, reading, dissecting lectures on topics I find fascinating. I also love the written word as a form of communication, as an outlet for expression. So, I’m prone to writing as a means of connection. Connection with the past. Connection with the future. Connection with myself. Connection with the imaginary brought to life.

But, making money has never really been my strongest skillset. Why would it? I’ve spent much of my life learning how to avoid the need for money, for possessions. I can’t say, though, that making a living from my writing wouldn’t be exciting and fulfilling. Then again, I’ve heard from other writers who have done just that how terrified they became of screwing things up, double guessing every move they made out of fear they would offend or anger their readership. I certainly don’t want that. It is for this same reason that I’m leary of venturing into academia or teaching under the auspices of a formalized institution. Who wants a boss (or many bosses – or worse, the mob) to bow down to?

So, going forward, I see my path is self-publishing for all works. Not only is this the easiest, most cost effective route available, but it is one that has the greatest hope of being published in the future, given my worldview and unwillingness to cave to the insanity of our culture.

One great piece of news…I just discovered my Seminary has started their own journal. This is quite impressive and I look forward to submitting articles to them. I wonder what else they have plans for in the future?

So, despite having high hopes for this event, it was rather lackluster at best. This is typically what happens, though. Most of the information I’ve found available online has been sub-standard and disappointing. I keep returning to the axiom I’ve been operating with: this world is a sham and so is all this is contained within it.

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Gold, Heather., Philip Leventhal, Priya Nelson, Jennifer Banks. “How To Turn Your Dissertation into a Book.” Organized by the Graduate Writing Lab. Yale University. 11 Apr. 2016. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6B7JEsYZyw.