You Want to Write a Textbook? Here's How to Do It!

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Presented by Robert Christopherson, Professor Emeritus of Geography, American River College (1970-2000), and author of the leading physical geography texts in the US and Canada

Writing a textbook is extremely focusing, extends your classroom to the world, and is potentially rewarding. Yet, in reality, everyone (author, editor, publisher, colleagues) assumes that everyone knows what they are doing. But they don't! Every project is allowed to roll along burdened by its own idiosyncrasies. A goal of this discussion is to place you ahead of the curve, to simplify the process, and to share experiences. This is not a complete account of how to do it, for that would take a book. This is merely one author's opinion, which is under constant revision as each day's lesson is absorbed.

The original task of writing a textbook is not what it seems to be — that is, talking about it, outlining it, sketching it, discussing it with publishers, telling relatives about it. These preliminaries are different than actually writing the manuscript, but critical and necessary for the author must convince him or herself to do the project. This discussion will hopefully provide a starting point for your efforts: the project, writing studio, outline, style/writing guide, prospectus, research/writing, computer, art manuscript preparation, chapter production, publisher launch, sales/marketing, roaylties, taxes, and future revisions.

"This was extremely helpful to me. I learned so many things I did not know before. I was reminded of things I knew and had done sometimes in the past, but was not doing now. It was a wake up call for me. Very timely. I will change some things and start some new ways of doing my writing."

"This is the third teleconference I've attended this year, and I believe this is a WONDERFUL service to TAA members. I would encourage continuation of these teleconferences! Thank you!!!!"

Robert Christopherson is Professor Emeritus of Geography, American River College (1970-2000). He was selected by American River College students as "Teacher of the Year" and received the ARC Patrons Award. He is the author of the leading physical geography texts in the US and Canada all published by Pearson Prentice Hall: He and his nature photographer wife Bobbé have completed nine expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic regions since 2003 gathering information and photos for his books: Geosystems, 7/e, © 2009 [Texty winner 1998]; Elemental Geosystems, 5/e, © 2007 [Texty winner 2005]; Geosystems Canadian Edition, 2/e, © 2009; and Applied Geography, 7/e, © 2009. He attended Cal State University-Chico, and Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. His first textbook was published in 1992. His textbooks have received several national textbook awards. Also, he was recognized for excellence in teaching with the 1999 Distinguished Teaching Achievement Award from the National Council for Geographic Education and the Outstanding Educator Award from the California Geographical Society in 1997. TAA presented him with its Presidents' Award in 2005. He has spoken across the US and Canada to hundreds of colleges, groups, and professional meetings.

Please note: Recordings may not be copied, shared, or distributed.

Teleconference Handouts:
You Want to Write a Textbook (PDF)

Contact information for Robert Christopherson:
Bobobbe@aol.com