Articles from TAA Report Archives (now The Academic Author) with Commentary

By Phil Wankat

TAA Report volume 1In 1987, TAA started the TAA Report newsletter as a method of communicating with members. In 1994, the name was changed to The Academic Author, which had basically the same format as the TAA Report. In 2011, the format changed to the current full color, glossy printing. It was redesigned again in 2023. Many of the issues of The Academic Author can be found here.

Although most issues of the TAA Report and of The Academic Author consist mainly of short news items that are of current but not long term interest, issues also contained longer articles that contained important material for authors of textbooks that is still of interest years later. Because much of this material is not available elsewhere, TAA decided to make selected articles from the TAA Report available open access to members.

I selected articles from my private collection of TAA Reports. Because I joined TAA in 1989, the first article listed is from volume 3, number #2 in 1989. Issues that are missing from my collection are all of volumes 1 and 2 from 1987 and 1988; volume 3, 1989, numbers 1, 3, and 4; volume 4, 1990, numbers 1 and 3; and volume 8, 1994, numbers 2 to 7. All selections were made by the editor and do not represent an official or unofficial position of TAA.

The articles are in chronological order in the collection. Since readers may be most interested in a particular topic, they are listed by category.

The TAA Report issues (1987 to 1993) are listed in the following categories: Authors Needed, Cartoons, Contracts, Ethics, Money, Production, Recognition and Rewards, Software, Textbooks as Scholarship, and Writer’s Block.

The Academic Author black-and-white issues (1994 to 2010) are listed in the following categories: Authors Needed, Bios, Contracts and Legal Comments, Diversity, Managing and Planning, Money, Production, Publishing first book, Recognition and Rewards, Teaching, Textbook Scholarship and Textbooks in Promotion Cases, and Writing and Writer's Block.

A few articles are listed in more than one category. My commentary on each item is in blue italics.

Authors Needed

  • Vol. 4, 1990: No. 2, April. Melvin DeFleur, “Authors of Advance Textbooks Wanted,” pp. 5 and 6. "Worldwide used book market has killed royalties particularly on advanced textbooks."
  • Vol. 6, 1992: No. 1, January. Mike Keedy, “Editorial, Where have all the Authors Gone?” pp. 2 & 6. "Elementary and high school texts are increasingly written by in-house authors with few academic credentials in the area they are writing."
  • Vol. 5, 1991: No. 3, July. Sally Wendkos Olds, “Collaborative Writing of Textbooks,” pp. 5, 13, and 14. "Covers finding co-authors who are professional writers. Need a collaboration agreement."

Cartoons

  • Vol. 4, 1990: No. 4, October. Cartoon, p. 10, Promotion committee meeting.
  • Vol 7, 1993: No. 2,  April: Cartoon, p. 22. Do not bore colleagues.

Contracts

  • Vol. 3, 1989: No. 2, April.  Michael Lennie, In Jure, "Need for two clauses in contracts: Notice of Acceptance and a Reversion Clause in case publication does not occur within a reasonable time after acceptance," p. 3.
  • Vol. 4, 1990: No. 4, October. Michael Lennie, “In Jure, How to Negotiate an Improved Author-Publisher Contract,” pp. 3 & 4.  "Author-Publisher contract: 'You can’t make it any worse….This is unusual in life.'"
  • Vol. 4, 1990: No. 4, October. Irving Rockwood, “A Publishing Parable,” pp. 6 & 7. "Discusses negative attitudes of editors when changes in contract are requested by authors."
  • Vol. 5, 1991: No. 2, April. Michael Lennie, "In Jure, The Royalty Clause,” pp. 3, 8, & 9. “A 15% royalty for a college text is quite common.” "Advances are useful to pay living expenses and to encourage the publisher to publish, but do not agree to return the money if the publisher decides to not publish."
  • Vol. 5, 1991: No. 3, July. Michael Lennie, "In Jure, The Collaboration Agreement,” pp. 3, 4, 12, 13. "Agreements with other authors are useful if there are problems and may prevent problems from occurring. For example,  adding an attorney’s fee clause tends to prevent groundless law suits."
  • Vol. 6, 1992: No. 3, July. Michael Lennie, “In Jure. A Potpourri of Contract Negotiation Advice,” pp. 3 & 2. "Clauses, such as return of advances for works that are not published, that cannot be deleted can often be softened (e.g., return half of the advance)."
  • Vol. 6, 1992: No. 4,  October. Michael Lennie, “In Jure. Negotiating a Contract – Provisions Often Overlooked,” pp. 3 & 6. "Clauses are written by the publisher’s attorneys for the benefit of the publisher. Lennie presents wording to level the playing field for the assignment, warranty, and domestic sales portion of the royalties clause."
  • Vol 7, 1993: No. 1, January.  Michael Lennie, “In Jure. A Letter to Textbook Authors About the Negotiation Process,” pp. 3, 4, 6, & 7. "If you want a contract that is as good for the author as possible, READ THIS ARTICLE."
  • Vol 7, 1993: No. 3, July. Michael Lennie, “In Jure. Preserving Your Options,” p. 3. "Possible methods to entice a publisher to publish, but have the option of changing the clauses of the contract."
  • Vol 7, 1993: No. 3, July. Robin Davis Miller, “Your Publisher, Your Public, and Your Pocket: Taking Control in a Changing Industry,” pp. 14, 15, & 16. "Many pitfalls in the contract can reduce your income significantly."
  •  Vol 7, 1993: No. 4  October. Michael Lennie, “In Jure. Electronic Publishing” pp. 3, 4, & 5. "Rights for electronic publishing should be negotiated separately from the print publishing rights. Note that returns to the publisher are likely to be significantly higher for electronic publishing."

Ethics

  • Vol. 5, 1991: No. 1, January. Assoc. American Publishers, Inc., p. 13. “Statement of Principles for College Publishing.” "No kickbacks to obtain adoptions or sales."
  • Vol. 6, 1992: No.: 1, January.  Theresa M. Bey, “Review of Textbooks and Schooling in the United States, edited by David Elliott and Arthur Woodward (1990)”, p. 17. "Publishers should require authors to produce quality textbooks."
  • Vol 8, 1994. No. 1, January. TAA. “Ethics Guidelines,” pp. 1 & 11. "Ethics principles approved by the TAA Council in January 1994."

Money

  • Vol. 4, 1990, No. 4, October.  Bill Masterton, “Editorial: A Review of Reviews” p. 2. "Ask for pay per hour when doing reviews for publishers."
  • Vol. 5. 1991, No. 2, April. Richard Larock, “Frustrations of a University Book Author,” pp. 5, 6, 9, 10, and 11. DOWNLOAD "Requests to have his salary increased to recognize his contributions writing textbooks were ignored by the university."
  • Vol. 6, 1992: No. 2,  April. Laurence D. Hoffmann, “The Simplified Employee Pension” pp. 10-11. DOWNLOAD "Although article is specific to 1991 tax year, SEPs are also applicable in current years."
  • Vol 7, 1993: No. 2,  April. James Lichtenberg, “The New Paradox of the College Textbook,” pp. 15, 16, 17, 19 & 20. DOWNLOAD "Difficulties for publishers include used books, electronic information technology, expensive graphics, and the perception that textbooks are too expensive. Authors, particularly at research universities, find that many colleagues harbor significant disdain for writing textbooks."
  • Vol 7, 1993: No. 3, July. Robin Davis Miller, “Your Publisher, Your Public, and Your Pocket: Taking Control in a Changing Industry,” pp. 14, 15, & 16. DOWNLOAD "Many pitfalls in the contract can reduce your income significantly."

Production

  • Vol. 5, 1991. No. 2, April. Lillian R. Rodberg, “A Production Primer for Authors,” Series: An Author’s Garden of Editors,” pp. 18 and 19. "Most of article is on copy editors." DOWNLOAD
  • Vol. 5, 1991, No. 3, July. Lillian R. Rodberg, “A Production Primer for Authors,” Series: “Manuscript to Bound Book – Part 1,” pp. 18 & 19. "This article is on working with production." DOWNLOAD
  • Vol. 5, 1991, No. 4., October. Lillian R. Rodberg, “A Production Primer for Authors,” Series: “Manuscript to Bound Book – Part 2,” pp. 9, 10, and 11. "This article is on working with copy editing, art preparation, typesetting, page proofs, the index, and printing and binding." DOWNLOAD
  • Vol. 6, 1992: No. 1, January. Lillian R. Rodberg, “A Production Primer for Authors,” Series: “Copy-Editor Competence – Part 1” pp. 13, 14, and 15. "Working with a copy-editor is difficult for most authors because it  reminds most authors of 2nd grade." DOWNLOAD
  • Vol. 6, 1992: No. 2,  April. Lillian R. Rodberg, “A Production Primer for Authors,” Series: “Copy-Editor Competence – Part 2” pp. 12, 13, and 14. "How authors can help copy editors do competent work.  Note: the list of references appears to have been truncated." DOWNLOAD
  • Vol. 6, 1992: No. 4,  October. Lillian R. Rodberg, “A Production Primer for Authors,” Last in Series: “Your Index: Does it Help Sell Your Book?” pp. 12, 13, 14, 15, &  16. "Answer – Yes! The reason is textbooks are not marketed to students, they are marketed to adopters – professors and selection committees. The table of contents plus index are a fast method for determining the content of a textbook." DOWNLOAD

Recognition and Rewards

  • Vol. 5. 1991, No. 2, April. Richard Larock, “Frustrations of a University Book Author,” pp. 5, 6, 9, 10, and 11. DOWNLOAD "Requests to have his salary increased to recognize his contributions writing textbooks were ignored by the university."
  • Vol 7, 1993: No. 2,  April. James Lichtenberg, “The New Paradox of the College Textbook,” pp. 15, 16, 17, 19 & 20. DOWNLOAD "Difficulties for publishers include used books, electronic information technology, expensive graphics, and the perception that textbooks are too expensive. Authors, particularly at research universities, find that many colleagues harbor significant disdain for writing textbooks."
  • Vol 7, 1993: No. 4 October. Franklin Silverman and Therese Murphy, “What Effect is Using a Text You Authored Likely to Have on How Students View You?” pp. 21 & 22. DOWNLOAD "Results of a small-scale study suggest students are a bit more negative about professors who teach from their own textbook."

Software

  • Vol. 4, 1990: No. 4, October. Rocky Ross, Article on writing textbook in computer journal, pp. 7, 8, 9. "Written in semi-computer syntax, the article is short, accurate, and funny." DOWNLOAD
  • Vol. 6, 1992: No. 1, January. Software Authors’ group, “Multimedia: 20 Questions for Prospective Software Authors,” pp.7 & 8. The answers to the questionnaire can flag possible areas of concern for prospective software authors. “There is a certain messianic commitment that seems to characterize successful implementations in this field.” DOWNLOAD
  • Vol. 6, 1992: No. 2,  April. Irv Brechner for the Software Authors’ group, “12 Compelling Reasons for Authors and Publishers to Create Software Enhancements to Books.“ pp. 8 & 9. "Software makes more money than the book." DOWNLOAD

Textbooks as Scholarship

  • Vol. 5, 1991: No. 1, January.  Bill Masterton, “Editorial: Textbooks as Scholarship,” pp. 2 & 3.  Criteria for judging scholarship in varying disciplines: 1. Has a positive lasting impact in academe. 2. "Establishes the authors’ reputations and enhances their universities prestige. Gives examples of external evidence for scholarship of textbooks." DOWNLOAD
  • Vol. 5, 1991, No. 4, October. Terry Sykes, “Textbooks as Scholarship,” pp. 5 & 6. Different sectors of academe have different opinions about the scholarship involved in writing a textbook. "The more scholarship involved, the more weight textbooks are given in promotion and tenure decisions." DOWNLOAD
  • Vol 8, 1994. No. 1, January. L. Kathy Heilenman, “Textbook/Materials as an Academic Field of Inquiry: An Introduction and a Selected Annotated Bibliography,” pp. 3, 4, 5, & 11. "There is some research, but the majority is on textbook selection, censorship, and quality." DOWNLOAD

Writer’s Block (coming soon)

  • Vol. 6, 1992: No. 3 , July. Susan X. Day, Series: “Emotional Aspects of Writer’s Block,” pp. 7 & 8. "Writers interpretations of their emotions often determine if the emotions are facilitative or blocking."
  • Vol. 6, 1992: No. 4,  October. Susan X. Day, “Cognitive Aspects of Writer’s Block,” pp. 4, 5, & 6. "Blocked writers self-talk while writing is more negative than non-blockers, and blocked writers do not believe their work is valuable."
  • Vol. 6, 1992: No. 4,  October. Joseph P. Dagher,  Review of Professors as Writers: A Self-Help Guide to Productive Writing, by Robert Boice (1990), pp. 17, 18, & 19. "Spontaneous writing to overcome writer’s block. Yogi Berra, 'You can’t think and hit at the same time.'"
  • Vol 7, 1993: No. 1, January. Susan X. Day, “The Situational Aspect of Writer’s Block,” pp. 9, 10, & 11. "Everyone has competing demands on their time. Textbook authors need to arrange that sufficient time is spent on writing and editing or there will be no textbook."
  • Vol 7, 1993: No. 2,  April. James Lichtenberg, “The New Paradox of the College Textbook,” pp. 15, 16, 17, 19 & 20. "Difficulties for publishers include used books, electronic information technology, expensive graphics, and the perception that textbooks are too expensive. Authors, particularly at research universities, find that many colleagues harbor significant disdain for writing textbooks."

Authors Needed (From The Academic Author black-and-white issues - 1994 to 2010)

Vol. 10, 1996. No. 1. Frank Silverman, “Co-authoring a book originally written by another.” p. 4. “Look for a book that has an author who is retired, or close to retirement or, well, deceased.”

Vol. 12, No. 10, November. “Authors uneasy over Pearson deal,” p. 1. "Big mergers 'reduce the opportunities for new authors and even close the door on experienced authors.'”

Bios (coming soon)

Vol. 8, 1994. No. 5, November, Daniel Spano, ”And now, 50 books later,” pp. 1 & 10. "A bio of Mike Keedy, author of mathematics textbooks and the founder of TAA."

Vol. 10, 1996. No. 1. Kim Pawlak, “Author Profile: Philip Zimbardo, Improving the human condition,” pp. 1 & 18. “In psychology, Zimbardo said, publishing a text or tradebook is almost a negative to colleagues because it takes away from teaching and research publications and is considered ‘commercial’.”

Contracts and Legal Comments (coming soon)

Vol. 9, 1995. No. 1, February, Zick Rubin, “Judges Frown Gravely on Plagiarists,” pp. 14 & 20. “Unfortunately…, unconscious copying is just as illegal as intentional copying.”

Vol. 9, 1995. No. 3 June. John Vivian, “How about “Kill fees” in you next contract?” p. 2. "Be paid for your work if publisher decides to not publish."

Vol. 9, 1995. No. 3. June. “Texaco case settled for million-plus.” p. 10. "Large-scale copyright infringement by a major corporation."

Vol. 9, 1995. No. 6, October. Steve Gillen, “Spurned author’s lament: ‘Please release me’,” p. 12. “The typical publishing enterprise is much like a marriage – recognized and respected by law but with little remedy beyond dissolution should the parties lose interest in maintaining the relationship.”

Vol. 9, 1995. No. 7. Steve Gillen, “Neglected author’s lament: ‘Please release me’.” p. 10. "Continuation of previous Gillen column."

Vol. 10, 1996. No. 10. John McHugh, “McHugh’s seven favorite books on publishing law, contracts.” p. 5. "The selected books have the author’s interest in mind."

Vol. 10, 1996. No. 10. Stephen Gillen, “Don’t let ownership of copyright be a question left unanswered.” pp. 13 & 17. "Ownership of outsourced materials such as figures belong to the creator unless “there is a written transfer of rights.” 

Vol. 11, 1997. No. 2. Franklin H. Silverman, “Perhaps we should let a judge decide,” p. 11. "Courts may decide that clauses in a contract are unconscionable and refuse to enforce them. Because publishers do not want a court to decide that their standard contracts are unenforceable, authors have some bargaining room. "

Vol. 12, No. 10, November. “Authors bristle at 10 percent electronic royalties.” p. 2. "Refuse to sign and request same royalty rate as on print copies."

Vol. 13, 1999. No. 11, October. “Expert advice on negotiating contracts.” p. 2. "Aim for 15 percent royalty for electronic rights."

Vol. 13, 1999. No. 12, November. “Protecting your rights to original art.” p. 2. "Contract should clearly state that author owns original art work even if drawn by the publisher."


Diversity (coming soon)

Vol. 9, 1995. No. 7. Kim Pawlak, “Historian blames “white, male backlash’.” p. 7. "National history standards that include minorities in textbooks have led to shrill complaints."


Managing and Planning (coming soon)

Vol. 23, 2009. August. Kim Pawlak, “Don’t manage time, manage goals, “ p. 4. "Too many goals causes paralysis."

Vol. 23, 2009. September. Kim Pawlak, “Manage your goals with use of ‘Pyramid of power’,” p. 4. "Work from your purpose, to mission, to vision, and finally to goals."

Vol. 24, 2010. No. 2, February. Kerry Ann Rockquermore, “Winning tenure without losing your soul: A semester needs a plan.” p. 2. "Avoid 'getting lost in the daily chaos, but instead strategically creating the space each week for activities that contribute to your long-term success.'”


Money (coming soon)

Vol. 9, 1995. No. 1, February, Fred Fedler, “How to Set the Foundation for a Successful Book,” p. 6. "Editor’s comment: Useful advice, but his numerical example is incorrect because the 12% royalty is normally based on net proceeds after retailers take their share."

Vol. 9, 1995. No. 3, June. Helen Gordon, “How students drive up costs of textbooks,” p. 8. “We need legislation to treat textbooks the way we treat drama and musical composition, with a royalty for each performance." Editor's comment: "YES."

Vol. 13, 1999. No. 11, October. “Expert advice on negotiating contracts.” p. 2. "Aim for 15 percent royalty for electronic rights."

Vol. 13, 1999. No. 13, December. “Professor group defends author ownership of work.” p. 1. "AAUP policy states that 'what faculty authors write belongs to them….'”

Production (coming soon)

Vol. 21, 2007. March. Seth Maislin, “Indexing in three steps,” p. 9. "Point to what is important. Create thoughtful labels. Organize your thoughts."

Vol. 18, 2004. September. Kim Pawlak, “Tips for working with a compositor.” "William Stallings shares tips for working with a compositor (person who sets type). Read the proof, 'word for word….'"

Publishing first book (coming soon)

Vol 10, 1996. No. 1. Fred Fedler, “Coping with an author’s common problems,” pp. 8 & 17. “Estimate the amount of time it will take to write your book, then double it.” Editor’s comment: Fedler is an optimist."

Vol. 12, 1998. No. 10, November. “Authors uneasy over Pearson deal,” p. 1. "Big mergers 'reduce the opportunities for new authors and even close the door on experienced authors.'"

Vol. 18, 2004. December. Michele Sordi, “Building a better book: Tips for prospective textbook authors.” pp. 4, 6 & 8. “Commercially successful books tend to be ones written for a specific course that the author successfully teaches.”

Vol. 18, 2004. September. Linda Creighton, “Authors share advice for writing first textbook.” p. 5. Tom Robbins. “Put a little on paper every day.”

Vol. 19, 2005. September. “19 Tips for first-time textbook authors,” p. 7. "Four successful authors and a publisher share advice ranging from ‘write articles before books’ to 'honor the publisher’s deadlines.'”

Recognition and Rewards See also Money. (coming soon)

Vol 9, 1995. No. 3, June. Fred Fedler, “Some textbook rewards are unexpected,” p. 6. "Textbooks increase name recognition and often lead to new opportunities."

Vol 9, 1995. No. 3, June. Frank Silverman, “Is second book more “dangerous” than first?” p. 4. "Family, who want more of the author’s attention and time, will often make allowances for a first book that they will not make for a second book."


Teaching (coming soon)

Vol. 9, 1995. No. 7. James Lichtenberg, “Where is ‘customized learning’ taking us?” p. 6. "Replacing teachers with computers was a precursor of education during the Covid-19 pandemic."

Vol. 10, 1996. No. 1. John Vivian, “Are coursepacks better than textbooks? No way.” pp. 2 & 14. “Coursepacks have potential to be great teaching and learning tools. Most fall way short.”

Vol. 18, 2004, December. Michele Sordi, “Building a better book: Tips for prospective textbook authors.” pp. 4, 6 & 8. “Commercially successful books tend to be ones written for a specific course that the author successfully teaches.”

Vol. 24, 2010, No. 2, February. Richard Hull, “Could student-authored texts be the future?” pp. 1 & 8. Editor’s comment: "Based on my experience teaching a graduate level course writing a book chapter and reviewing a book written by undergraduates, students do not have the depth of knowledge and understanding to write an acceptable textbook."


Textbooks as Scholarship and Textbooks in Promotion Cases (coming soon)

Vol 9, 1995. No. 1, February. “Case for Texts as Scholarship,” pp. 1 & 19. "Good arguments but best advice is to check with your local institution’s promotion and tenure practices."

Vol 9, 1995. No. 1, February, Franklin Silverman, “The Taboo Against Junior Profs Authoring Textbooks,” p. 4. Editor’s comment: "Author ignores that at many research institutions a book counts the same as one research article, but takes a lot more time to write and to publish."

Volume 12, 1998. No. 8, September. “Panelists ponder career impact of texts,” p. 3. "The role of textbooks in promotion and tenure decisions is often unclear."


Writing and Writer’s Block (coming soon)

Vol 10, 1996. No. 1. Fred Fedler, “Coping with an author’s common problems,” pp. 8 & 17. “Estimate the amount of time it will take to write your book, then double it.” Editor’s comment: Fedler is an optimist."

Vol. 10, 1996. No. 2. Frank Silverman, “Authors often follow rituals to creativity.” p. 8. “'One of the reasons writers get blocked is they expect to get blocked.' Rituals can help prevent blockage."

Vol. 11, 1997. No. 2. Gerald C. Stone, “Stone returns as columnist with writing tips for text authors,” pp. 13 and 14. "Use and misuse of readability formulas."

Vol. 18, 2004. September. Linda Creighton, “Authors share advice for writing first textbook.” p. 5. Tom Robbins, “Put a little on paper every day.”
Vol. 19, 2005. May. “Workshop preview: 12 steps to becoming a more prolific scholar.” pp. 6 & 7. "A mix of writing management skills ('write daily') and writing skills ('use key sentences').

Vol 24, 2010. No. 3, March. Janet Belsky, “Book Review: Philip Yaffe, The Gettysburg Approach to Writing and Speaking like a Professional,” pp. 2 & 7. "To get readers interested: Give them what they want to learn. Make paper as long as necessary and short as possible. Offer information that is logically dense."

Vol 24, 2010. No. 3, March. Kathleen King, “Five successful writing strategies,” p. 4. "Do research, determine your perspective, determine how to arrange information, outline, write in cycles with increasing detail."

After 47 years at Purdue University, Phil Wankat retired as the Clifton L. Lovell Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering and as Professor of Engineering Education in 2017. At Purdue he served as department head, Interim Director of Continuing Engineering Education, Interim Associate Dean of Engineering for Undergraduates, and Director of Undergraduate Degree Programs in Engineering Education. While at Purdue, he wrote eleven books on chemical engineering and engineering education. Phil joined TAA in 1989. During the pandemic, he became bored and started writing the fifth edition of his textbook, Separation Process Engineering, which was published as his twelfth book by Pearson in 2023. He has now retired for the second time and has stopped writing books. Now that he has actually retired, Phil has more time to spend with his wife Dot and their new granddaughter. He also has more time but less energy to enjoy his hobbies of fishing, canoeing, and camping.

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