Review by Choice Review
The underlying theme of this book is that great writing transcends subject, format, and readership. Writing is central to the daily life of academics and most professionals, yet the practice, experiences, and processes of writing are not often discussed with colleagues. This book fills that void and nicely complements Andrew Abbott's Digital Paper: A Manual for Research and Writing with Library and Internet Materials (CH, Feb'15, 52-2854). Milardo (Univ. of Maine) has written a refreshing, inspiring, and readable take on what has typically been a dry, mechanical, and private process. The book is divided into three parts: the first, "Writing for Journals, Grants, and Books," discusses theory development, research synthesis, book reviews, book proposals, and contracts and production issues. Part 2, "The Experience of Writing," includes mindful writing practices, inspiration, collaboration, deadlines, managing criticism, and rituals. The last part, "Reviewing and Editing," treats tone, communication, audience, validity, and ethics. Chapters offer summaries, activities, recommended readings, and references. Throughout the book the author intersperses interviews and personal accounts from academic writers at different stages of their lives or careers. "Writer's Resources" and "Best Practices" boxes are designed to help academics (or aspiring academics) and anyone interested in professional writing better understand the trickier aspects of motivation and setting goals. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-level undergraduates through researchers/faculty; professionals/practitioners. --Susanne Markgren, Purchase College, SUNY
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
