Wanna Get Published?

By Amanda Schreck

SC Staff Writer

On Thursday, March 26, three East Stroudsburg University professors hosted the annual author’s forum series, “From Idea to Published Book.”

Their goal was to help students and aspiring writers learn about the writing and publishing process.

Christopher T. Brooks, associate professor of history, Gregory B. Dwyer, professor of exercise science, and Jane E. Huffman, distinguished professor of biology, talked to students about their own writing experiences and how it can benefit their knowledge and learning.

Brooks is the editor and coauthor of “German Employment Law: 618 Questions Frequently Asked by Foreigners.”

He said his inspirations come from his “year-long interest and experience in the legal training field, coupled with my training as a legal historian and love and knowledge of German.” Brooks also said that publishing for the first time can be fairly frustrating. “Different publishers have different demands, politics, work flows, but once one is familiar with the process, however, all is well. This is why becoming familiar with how your editor(s) work is critical.”

For Brooks, his future involves an immense amount of culture.

“I have a paper on comparing and contrasting American and European, especially French and German, food culture, as well as a long essay on the history of transatlantic relations.”

Something that Brooks believes students should keep in mind is to “be critical in your self-assessment. Getting an ‘A’ in a course does not make you a shoe-in for a book contract.”

Gregory B. Dwyer, author of ACSM’s Certification Review, Fourth Edition and associate editor of ACSM’s Resources for the Health Fitness Specialist, First Edition, encourages students to look into the use of modern publication methods.

“I think that the self-publishing process and e-book concept is growing and likely going to be a big part of the future.”

Dwyer also said two of the most important skills in being a writer is to continue to “Write, write, write,” and “Organize, organize, organize!”

One of the biggest steps forward student writers can take in their publication and writing endeavors is, “networking and reading – find your talent and passions towards a topic to write about,” said Dwyer.

Jane Huffman is the editor of “Wildlife Diseases,” published more than 50 articles in peer-reviewed journals, and wrote “Microbiology,” a laboratory manual.

She said students should always be prepared for whatever inspiration comes their way, especially at an event like the author’s forum. “You never know what may prompt the writing/ documentation of work that you engage in – I always write down my field and lab experiences.”

“To become good at your writing need to write – write down your ideas, add more to the concepts and rewrite! One can never sit down write a book without revisions and fine tuning!”

Also, like many other professors, no matter your subject, reading is crucial in learning your trade and skill.

“Students should read voraciously all types of literature! One learns from the writings of others,” said Huffman.

Whether you’re looking to write a book on history, exercise science, biology, or tell an immaculate story, these three professors stress that you can never write or read too much.

So pick up that book you’ve been dying to read, find your inspiration and get out a pen and paper.

Email Amanda at:

aschreck@live.esu.edu