From research to scholarly book: Your next steps towards publication part 2

If you’re considering developing your research into a scholarly book, you’ve already taken an important first step. Publishing a book allows you to explore your research in greater depth, contribute lasting knowledge to your discipline and reach readers around the world through open-access publishing.

This guide has been developed to help you move from a research project, dissertation or collection of publications to a well-structured book manuscript. Whether you are preparing a research monograph, transforming a PhD thesis into a book or developing an edited volume, you will find practical advice on refining your manuscript, selecting the right publishing pathway and preparing for submission.

Along the way, you will also learn how AOSIS supports authors throughout the publishing process, from proposal submission and peer review to production and global dissemination.

Refine your research into a book manuscript

A journal article, dissertation or conference paper provides an excellent foundation, but a scholarly book requires a different approach.

Unlike journal articles that address a focused research question, books provide space to develop broader arguments, synthesise multiple studies and make a sustained contribution to a field of knowledge.

Focus on one central contribution

Before writing, ask yourself:

• What is the main question my book answers?
• What new knowledge does it contribute?
• Why should scholars read this book rather than several journal articles?

At AOSIS Scholarly Books, every successful manuscript demonstrates a clear contribution to scholarship. Authors should clearly explain the methodology, theoretical framework and unique contribution of their work rather than simply presenting a collection of research outputs.

Build a coherent argument throughout the manuscript

A scholarly book should guide readers through a connected argument rather than present chapters as separate papers. Each chapter should contribute to the central purpose of the book and build logically on the chapters that come before it.

A common structure includes:

• Background and context
• Literature review and theoretical framework
• Methodology (where appropriate)
• Key findings or thematic discussions
• Scholarly or practical implications
• Conclusions and future research directions

Before submission, consider:

• Does every chapter contribute to the central research question?
• Does each chapter develop the argument further?
• Are there unnecessary repetitions between chapters?
• Is the conclusion supported by the evidence presented throughout the book?

At AOSIS, we refer to this as maintaining a strong ‘golden thread’ throughout the manuscript. A clear structure helps readers follow the development of your ideas and understand the overall contribution of your research.

Balance theory with application

One of the biggest differences between journal articles and books is that readers expect interpretation, synthesis and broader application. Rather than presenting findings alone, explain:

• why they matter
• how they advance existing knowledge
• how other scholars can build on them

Where appropriate, include examples, case studies or practical applications that demonstrate the significance of your research. For example, a book on educational reform might combine theoretical discussions with case studies from different institutions, allowing readers to compare approaches and consider how findings can be applied in different contexts.

Write for readers, not only reviewers

Many academics are accustomed to writing journal articles with peer reviewers as their primary audience. A scholarly book requires a broader approach.
Academic rigour remains essential, but readers also expect clarity, logical progression and engaging writing. Use discipline-specific terminology where appropriate, but explain complex concepts clearly, particularly when writing for interdisciplinary audiences.

Consider the following:

• Keep paragraphs focused on one main idea.
• Use informative headings and subheadings.
• Use transitions to connect chapters and sections.
• Explain the importance of quotations, examples and case studies.
• Introduce tables and figures within the discussion rather than presenting them without explanation.

Even specialised academic audiences appreciate writing that is clear, well-structured and easy to navigate.

Support arguments with evidence

A strong scholarly book is built on well-supported arguments. AOSIS encourages authors to engage with current, high-quality literature while recognising the importance of seminal works where they provide essential historical or theoretical foundations.

As a general guideline:

• Prioritise literature published within the last 5 years where appropriate.
• Include seminal works when they provide important context.
• Ensure every argument is supported by relevant evidence.
• Use primary sources whenever possible.

Authors should verify citations, hyperlinks and DOI information carefully before submission.

Use examples strategically

Examples help readers understand complex ideas and see how theoretical concepts operate in practice.

Instead of only describing a theoretical model, demonstrate how it has been applied. For example, a discussion on sustainable urban development may be strengthened by examples showing how specific planning approaches have improved resilience in different cities.

Well-selected examples improve readability while strengthening the practical relevance of your scholarship.

Prepare your manuscript for submission

Before submitting your manuscript, ensure that all technical, ethical and production requirements have been addressed. Careful preparation at this stage helps reduce delays during editorial review and production.

Check your references carefully

Accurate referencing is an important indicator of scholarly quality.

Before submission:

• Ensure every in-text citation appears in the reference list.
• Check author names and publication dates carefully.
• Verify DOI links and URLs.
• Remove duplicate references.
• Apply your chosen referencing style consistently throughout the manuscript.

Most AOSIS scholarly books use the Harvard referencing style, although some disciplines may require alternatives such as Vancouver. Reference management software such as Zotero, EndNote or Mendeley can simplify this process and reduce errors.

Prepare your tables and figures properly

Figures, graphs and tables often require more preparation than authors expect. For production purposes, AOSIS requests that figures and tables are supplied as editable files wherever possible.

Best practice includes:

• Submit graphs in Excel, Word or PowerPoint rather than as screenshots.
• Supply figures at a minimum resolution of 300 dpi.
• Number figures and tables consecutively.
• Refer to every figure and table within the text.
• Include complete source information beneath each figure or table.
• Provide concise captions that explain the content.

Preparing high-quality visuals from the beginning reduces production delays and improves the final publication.

Understand copyright and permissions

Authors are responsible for ensuring they have permission to reproduce third-party material.

This includes:

• published figures
• photographs
• maps
• illustrations
• lengthy quotations
• tables reproduced from other publications

Obtaining permission early prevents delays later in the publishing process. If you adapt or reproduce copyrighted material, ensure that you understand the relevant licensing requirements and retain written permission where required.

Consider ethics before submission

Ethical publishing extends beyond avoiding plagiarism. Before submitting your manuscript, confirm that:

• ethical approval was obtained where required
• participant consent has been secured
• confidential information has been anonymised
• permissions have been obtained for identifiable photographs
• conflicts of interest have been declared
• funding sources have been acknowledged

These steps strengthen the credibility, transparency and integrity of your research.

Common mistakes first-time academic book authors make

Many authors encounter similar challenges during manuscript preparation. Common issues include:

• treating the book as an expanded journal article
• including unnecessary literature reviews in every chapter
• repeating the same arguments throughout the manuscript
• relying heavily on direct quotations rather than original analysis
• submitting low-resolution figures
• inconsistent referencing
• failing to obtain copyright permissions
• writing primarily for examiners rather than readers

Recognising these issues early makes the publication process smoother and helps ensure that your manuscript communicates its contribution effectively.

Final pre-submission checklist

Before sending your manuscript to the publisher, ask yourself:

1. Does the book present a clear scholarly contribution?
2. Is there a consistent argument running throughout the manuscript?
3. Have all chapters been proofread and revised?
4. Are references complete and correctly formatted?
5. Have permissions been obtained for all third-party content?
6. Are figures supplied as editable, high-resolution files?
7. Have abbreviations, tables and figures been listed where required?
8. Have ethical approvals and declarations been included where required?

Completing this checklist before submission can significantly reduce editorial queries and production delays.

Frequently asked questions

How long does academic book publishing take?

The publication timeline varies depending on the complexity of the manuscript, peer review, revisions and production requirements. Most scholarly books require several months from proposal acceptance to publication.

Will my manuscript be peer reviewed?

Yes. AOSIS scholarly books undergo independent peer review to ensure academic quality, originality and scholarly contribution.

Can I include published journal articles in my book?

Yes, but they usually require substantial revision to create a cohesive manuscript. Chapters should be integrated into the overall argument of the book rather than simply reproduced as separate articles. Authors must also ensure that any copyright restrictions permit reuse.

Do I keep copyright?

AOSIS open-access books are published under Creative Commons licences, allowing authors to retain copyright while enabling wider dissemination of their work.

Ready to publish your research?

Turning research into a book provides an opportunity to make a lasting contribution to your discipline and share your work with a global audience.

By planning carefully, developing a clear argument, preparing your manuscript thoroughly and understanding the publishing process, you can maximise both the quality and impact of your research.

Whether you are publishing your first research monograph, an edited collection or a scholarly textbook, the AOSIS editorial team is here to support you from proposal to publication.

Download our free guide, How to turn your research into a book, or submit an Academic Book Proposal to discuss your project with the AOSIS editorial team.

Also, refer to part 1 of Turning your research into a book: Your next steps towards publication to learn how to identify your audience, define your central contribution, restructure a thesis into a scholarly monograph, and how to avoid common publishing mistakes.

Quick links

• Submissions guidelines
• Submission procedure
• Publication fees
• Book proposal form