Are you a scholar sitting on a manuscript that you think could be a book — but you have no idea where to start? In this episode of The Publishing Playbook, host Sarah Russo sits down with Laura Portwood-Stacer, founder of Manuscript Works and author of two books about academic publishing: “The Book Proposal Book” and “Make Your Manuscript Work.” Laura shares what pulled her out of academia and into editorial consulting, and why “publish or perish” no longer guarantees the payoff it once promised. She breaks down the essential elements of a strong academic book proposal, the real differences between the types of publishers out there, and why authors and editors are on the same team more often than they realize. Laura also dishes on whether academic authors actually need a literary agent, and how generative AI is reshaping trust in publishing. Plus: what it was really like competing on “Jeopardy!”
For more information on Laura’s work, please visit Manuscript Works.
“The Book Proposal Book” by Laura Portwood-Stacer
“Make Your Manuscript Work” by Laura Portwood-Stacer
“Trans Technologies” by Oliver Haimson (both Laura and the Page One team worked with Oliver on his book)
“The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World” by Bettany Hughes
00:00 – “That’s Not the Answer” 😤
Laura names the fantasy that finishing a book will magically change your life, and why that unrealistic expectation sets writers up for disappointment.
03:25 – “Publish or Perish” Isn't So Simple Anymore 📚
Laura explains why the old academic career formula has broken down: you can do everything right and still lose the job, the promotion, or the department.
07:12 - The Anatomy of a Strong Book Proposal 📝
Laura walks through exactly what publishers are looking for, breaking down the unspoken checklist most scholars never see.
10:40 – “You’re on the Same Team” 🤝
Laura pushes back on the idea that authors and editors are adversaries, arguing most writers misunderstand just how aligned they actually are with their publisher.
16:37 - Trade, Academic Trade, or Monograph? 🎯
Sarah and Laura unpack the three buckets publishers sort academic books into, and why so many authors overestimate how “trade” their book really is.
20:33 - Do You Actually Need an Agent? 🙋
Laura levels with authors chasing representation: most scholars publishing with university or academic presses don’t need one at all.
21:13 - AI Has Made Everyone a “Paranoid Reader” 🤖
Laura gets candid about how generative AI is eroding trust between editors and authors — and why she resents having become an accidental AI expert.