Note: This workshop series has passed. Stay tuned to the Manuscript Works Newsletter for new free workshops and periodic re-releases of the sessions below.
Join me for a free monthly workshop series in 2025
Each month I’ll demystify a different aspect of scholarly book publishing and provide practical tools to help you achieve your career goals. Drawing on my ten years of experience as a professional developmental editor and publishing consultant, I’ll answer the most common questions academic authors have about the book publishing process. You’ll leave each workshop better equipped to tackle your next steps and connect with publishers who want to share your valuable expertise with the world.
when are the workshops held?
Workshops will be held on the first Wednesday of each month at 12pm Pacific (3pm Eastern, 8pm GMT). The main presentation will last 45 to 60 minutes, followed by time for Q&A. Live attendance is encouraged, but all registrants will get access to a recording.
Who can attend the workshops?
The Publishing Unpacked workshops are open to academic authors of all career stages, from graduate students to early, mid, and late career scholars, including those not currently employed in the academy.
Those who have never published a book before will receive vital professional development, while experienced authors will learn new tips to navigate the publishing process with more ease and agency.
Scholars from anywhere in the world are welcome, especially those who hope to publish with US-based scholarly presses.
Which topics will be covered?
See below for a list of scheduled workshop topics. Topics with images and registration buttons can be signed up for immediately. If the workshop date has already passed, you can still sign up to access the recording.
How long will the workshops be available?
Registration for all workshops will remain open through December 31st, 2025. Recordings of any workshops in the series can be accessed until that time.
To be notified when future programs open in 2026 and beyond, subscribe to the Manuscript Works Newsletter.
January 8, 2025: Land a Scholarly Book Contract
February 5, 2025: SURVIVING Peer Review for Scholarly Books
March 5, 2025: Clarify Your Book Goals
April 2, 2025: How to publish an Interdisciplinary Book
May 7, 2025: how to publish a Trade or Crossover Book
with special guest Kate McKean, literary agent and author of Write Through It
June 4, 2025: How to Work with a Developmental Editor
August 6, 2025: How to Edit Your Own Scholarly Book
September 3, 2025: How to Publish a Book from Your Dissertation
October 1, 2025: How to Connect with Scholarly Publishers
November 5, 2025: How to give better feedback on scholarly writing
December 3, 2025: ask me anything
Hi, I'm Laura Portwood-Stacer, host of the Publishing Unpacked workshop series. I'm a professional developmental editor and publishing consultant and the author of The Book Proposal Book: A Guide for Scholarly Authors (Princeton University Press, 2021). My book, webinars, and courses have helped thousands of academic writers navigate the proposal writing and book publishing processes, with clients landing contracts at competitive university presses such as Harvard, Yale, Princeton, University of Chicago, University of California, Duke, Minnesota, MIT, Oxford, Cambridge, and many more.
As an author of three academic books myself, I know how difficult the process can be on both practical and emotional levels. I aim to bring empathy and honesty to demystifying the norms of scholarly publishing so that everyone who goes through my programs leaves feeling energized and empowered to make their publishing goals happen.