Editing Academic Anthologies in the Social Sciences

“Having, in fact, edited a book with Dr. Raei, I can attest to the authenticity this book brings to the field of academic editing and how much it is needed. We may think we know what goes into editing an anthology of others’ thinking and communicating, but the reality is, in a word, startling. Dr. Raei and I found our particular areas of expertise and learned their complements. Outreach to potential authors and then nurturing them to engage in ways that present a coherent volume became an art. We both wish we had had an instruction manual before embarking on our first journey together. This is it.”

“Editing an academic anthology is a multitasking challenge with many moving parts. Dr. Raei’s guide makes it manageable with lucid illustrations and explanations, giving you a roadmap to follow. This indispensable resource walks you through every step, from the initial concept to final publication. You’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of the big-picture components of editing and writing, from soliciting chapters to working with authors, co-editors, and publishers. You will also learn how to navigate unexpected challenges along the way and master the crucial small details for a polished outcome.

Dr. Raei draws on his own experience as an author and editor of several academic anthologies, offering detailed examples and personal anecdotes that bring the editing journey to life. This authoritative yet engaging approach illuminates what can be an opaque area of academic work, making it especially valuable for first-time editors.

Concise and well-rounded, this book is a highly recommended one-stop workshop for successfully editing academic volumes.”

First the Joy: new ideas, fresh insight, shared “A Ha!” moments. Then the heartache: missed deadlines, copy that in no way relates to the brief, managing politics and egos. The good and bad of academic life mushed together in one tasty slice.

What can be easier than editing an academic book? Well, perhaps brain surgery, ballet, or running the United Nations. In fact, it’s usually easier to write your own book than to edit one. Why is editing so difficult? Well, first one must select a compelling theme. Then one identifies competent authors to write on the theme in question and help them organize their ideas. Then, of course, one must find ways to tell some authors—the very authors you thought wouldn’t need it—that his or her chapter needs more work than they might think. One must find a way to prompt busy authors to get their work done on time. And then to get their revisions on time. And saying no when needed.

The biggest difficulty? Integrating. When you edit a book, authors want to write on what they want to write on—not necessarily on what you want them to write on. Organizing the ideas and chapters of egoistic authors into a coherent and meaningful whole is a difficult task.

So why do it? Because—if you are willing and able to put in the time and effort—you can bring people together to say things that you couldn’t necessarily say yourself.

Editing an academic anthology must be a labor of love. It can begin with a deep concern that emerging knowledge in a given field is not aware of itself, or that a marker is needed to help further legitimize the field. Then, bringing together diverse authors who are each digging deep into the frontiers of one aspect of your chosen topic can help broaden scholars’ awareness of the context they are working in.

That motivation is necessary once the work begins and all the unexpected challenges arise. Authors’ lives and needs complicate your seemingly simple desire to get the anthology together in the way you envisioned. However, what can emerge goes beyond the limits of your original vision and coming out of the chaos you can be surprised by the beauty and impact of the team effort the anthology becomes.