I was just approached about writing a book
Cue the worst imposter syndrome I've ever had...
I've wanted to write a book for my entire adult life. I've been writing since I was 10. I've won awards and built an audience with my writing. I tutored other people how to write for over 8 years.
Writing is the one thing I know I love.
Even so, I felt two emotions when a Wiley editor asked me, "have you ever thought about writing a book?" The first emotion: excitement. A major publisher just approached me about writing a book!
The second emotion: extreme doubt.
Uh, I'm not qualified to write a book about leaving academia. I haven't even had my business for a year. I'm too inexperienced. What if everyone hates what I've written. I haven't done enough research!
(the last one is a classic PhD thought )
So, I decided to do the only thing that's ever helped me combat my imposter syndrome. Learning. I bought over 10 books on job searching, career changes, and designing a fulfilling life.
After flipping through a few and drafting an outline for my book, I'm starting to feel better. One major advantage I have in this process is you - a community of PhDs who will help me design this book.
Because I'm writing this book for me.
But I'm also writing it for you :)
P.S. - I already had/read the classics written by Chris Caterine, PhD, Matteo Tardelli, PhD, and David Giltner. What other books should I add to my stack?
Cue the worst imposter syndrome I've ever had...
I've wanted to write a book for my entire adult life. I've been writing since I was 10. I've won awards and built an audience with my writing. I tutored other people how to write for over 8 years.
Writing is the one thing I know I love.
Even so, I felt two emotions when a Wiley editor asked me, "have you ever thought about writing a book?" The first emotion: excitement. A major publisher just approached me about writing a book!
The second emotion: extreme doubt.
Uh, I'm not qualified to write a book about leaving academia. I haven't even had my business for a year. I'm too inexperienced. What if everyone hates what I've written. I haven't done enough research!
(the last one is a classic PhD thought )
So, I decided to do the only thing that's ever helped me combat my imposter syndrome. Learning. I bought over 10 books on job searching, career changes, and designing a fulfilling life.
After flipping through a few and drafting an outline for my book, I'm starting to feel better. One major advantage I have in this process is you - a community of PhDs who will help me design this book.
Because I'm writing this book for me.
But I'm also writing it for you :)
P.S. - I already had/read the classics written by Chris Caterine, PhD, Matteo Tardelli, PhD, and David Giltner. What other books should I add to my stack?
Congrats! As someone who published two books, the fear doesn't necessarily go away. You just learn to befriend it and funnel the energy towards productive means (like writing) versus unproductive ones (like not writing and worrying about not writing, which leads to more not writing.) Part of what I have nearly all my book coaching clients do is prime their minds for writing by creating a list of "process goals"--thoughts that, if you believed them, would make writing feel more manageable and enjoyable. I recorded a podcast episode about it that you might find useful: https://yourwordsunleashed.com/ep-27-prime-your-mind-for-writing/
Ep. 27 - Prime Your Mind for Writing | Your Words Unleashed
Hi writers! How are things going this week? So today I wanted to talk about something that can have a major positive impact on your work, your writing process, and the amount of writing you are able to produce. And that is the power of “priming” your...
Not to dig on Wiley, but I don't think you would be best served by an academic publisher. (I mean maybe, it would get the book on a few uni library bookshelves, I don't know how much good stuff (press/residuals) will flow from that.) If you were able to get an contract for a more general press IMO I think that would be a better fit for your brand.
It is becoming pretty common for people to bundle self-published books in their courses, I wrote some about logistics here, ttps://andrewpwheeler.com/2024/07/02/some-notes-on-self-publishing-a-tech-book/. So that is for just go to my website and purchase, you may want your book to be bundled though with your cohorts.
It is becoming pretty common for people to bundle self-published books in their courses, I wrote some about logistics here, ttps://andrewpwheeler.com/2024/07/02/some-notes-on-self-publishing-a-tech-book/. So that is for just go to my website and purchase, you may want your book to be bundled though with your cohorts.
2 Replies on Andrew Wheeler’s comment
Andrew Wheeler that's a good point! I haven't seen what kind of contract they would offer yet, but it's definitely worth considering. I do like the idea of having my book on uni bookshelves so that academics could read it for free vs. needing to buy it.
When I decided to leave academia a few years ago, I did exactly this - read as much as I could on the subject. Leaving Academia was a really helpful book for my process - but I see you already have that in your stack. Two other books I read that were helpful are - Doctoring: Building a Life After a PhD by Chris Cornthwaite, PhD and "So What Are You Going to Do With That?" Finding Careers Outside Academia by Susan Basalla & Maggie Debelius
A solid list! But the thing that will make your book stand out is your personal experience: all the snapshots of identity and transformation that no one else has lived. That is your unique qualification :)
3 Replies on Joshua Dole?al, Ph.D.’s comment
Ashley Ruba, PhD You know I'm here for it! Can't resist a question: Is this a good thing for you or for Wiley?
An advance looks good, but it might still mean surrendering more than 80% of profits to a traditional publisher. If you've already established your credibility and have a readymade book-buying following (50K+) and can keep 80% of profits for yourself, that's some math to think about.
Traditional publishers typically rely on authors to do all of their own marketing now anyway. Unless they can show a clear benefit to you, they might be peddling perceived status as their value added. But we gave up those status games when we left academe, yes? :)
You might be the only one who needs to give yourself permission and reach for this book. Food for thought.
An advance looks good, but it might still mean surrendering more than 80% of profits to a traditional publisher. If you've already established your credibility and have a readymade book-buying following (50K+) and can keep 80% of profits for yourself, that's some math to think about.
Traditional publishers typically rely on authors to do all of their own marketing now anyway. Unless they can show a clear benefit to you, they might be peddling perceived status as their value added. But we gave up those status games when we left academe, yes? :)
You might be the only one who needs to give yourself permission and reach for this book. Food for thought.
Joshua Dole?al, Ph.D. yes, yes, yes. i was on a conversation yesterday with someone who shared that because her book took SO LONG to be published (through academic channels), by the time it was approved it needed a whole additional section on AI. someone else on the call pointed out she could have self-published, and then simply updated the edition when it was time.
I m also in process of writing a book on my journey...it's not so easy
1 Comment on David Hannan’s comment
When you get famous, don't forget about all us little people in the trenches, please.
1 Comment on Joel Barr’s comment
Congratulations Ashley and good luck!
While we wait for your book to come out which one would you recommend?
While we wait for your book to come out which one would you recommend?
1 Comment on Radhika Joshi’s comment
Radhika Joshi depends what you're looking for! If you're interested in R&D in industry, David's book is a good one (the one on the bottom)
Awesome! Do you still tutor on writing?
1 Comment on Natasha Robinson, M.A.A’s comment
Natasha Robinson, M.A.A yes! Usually on resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and other job search materials, but I'm able to do anything.
I believe it's important to highlight the significant interplay between Marketing and R&D in large corporations as a crucial aspect for fresh PhDs entering the corporate world. I highly recommend reading "Happycracy" by Edgar Cabanas, which sheds light on the corporate fallacy.
I provide occasional mentoring to Brazilian PhDs who only start thinking about their careers after finishing their thesis. It's quite concerning how unaware they are of their potential and their inability to effectively present their strengths in a way that appeals to employers. They also tend to mistakenly believe that their academic titles and publications alone make them attractive to employers. To use a science metaphor, it's like in chromatography - the corporate detector is selective, not universal. This means that employers will not notice you if you don't have the right qualifications and don't speak effectively during the interview.
I wrote an opinion piece a few years ago. In the age of AI, it's easy to get a good translation from Portuguese to English.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/forma%C3%A7%C3%A3o-cient%C3%ADfica-e-carreira-deixa-vida-me-levar-leva-araujo/
I provide occasional mentoring to Brazilian PhDs who only start thinking about their careers after finishing their thesis. It's quite concerning how unaware they are of their potential and their inability to effectively present their strengths in a way that appeals to employers. They also tend to mistakenly believe that their academic titles and publications alone make them attractive to employers. To use a science metaphor, it's like in chromatography - the corporate detector is selective, not universal. This means that employers will not notice you if you don't have the right qualifications and don't speak effectively during the interview.
I wrote an opinion piece a few years ago. In the age of AI, it's easy to get a good translation from Portuguese to English.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/forma%C3%A7%C3%A3o-cient%C3%ADfica-e-carreira-deixa-vida-me-levar-leva-araujo/
You go girl! That is big
This list is quite adequate; still I will highly recommend to add the following.
Mindset.
Outliers.
48 Rules of Power.
Atomic Habits.
Surrounded by Idiots.
Reasons for aforementioned recommendations are: leaving academia is not easy, especially when you have invested a big chunk of your life towards this endeavour! Also, even after leaving academia, if the individual lacks self-awareness and people skills; it would be disastrous!
Just go through all of these books (if you haven’t read them already) and find gems of points which you could utilise as a credible reference worthy citation.
All the very best!
So excited for you and looking forward to how it will shape up
This list is quite adequate; still I will highly recommend to add the following.
Mindset.
Outliers.
48 Rules of Power.
Atomic Habits.
Surrounded by Idiots.
Reasons for aforementioned recommendations are: leaving academia is not easy, especially when you have invested a big chunk of your life towards this endeavour! Also, even after leaving academia, if the individual lacks self-awareness and people skills; it would be disastrous!
Just go through all of these books (if you haven’t read them already) and find gems of points which you could utilise as a credible reference worthy citation.
All the very best!
So excited for you and looking forward to how it will shape up
Love that stack Ashley! ????
I also recommend "Do What You Are" which 1) generates acceptance and self-validation of strengths 2) same, but for challenges (often, the same strengths in the wrong context or to the wrong extent).
A caveat: it's not scientifically rigorous since it's a fleshed-out application of Myers-Briggs. Some may reject it based on that alone, but my key takeaways were:
? feeling seen, without judgment
? secondary (learned skills) and tertiary (~masking/survival-related behaviors), not just innate strengths
? the reason every archetype resonates is due to context dependence, aspiration and lived experience - in my case, as a neurodivergent person and a woman in science & engineering, I was trying to define myself based on how I'd best fit in, not defining myself based on how I best *showed up*.
: https://bookshop.org/p/books/do-what-you-are-discover-the-perfect-career-for-you-through-the-secrets-of-personality-type-barbara-barron/15561162
A caveat: it's not scientifically rigorous since it's a fleshed-out application of Myers-Briggs. Some may reject it based on that alone, but my key takeaways were:
? feeling seen, without judgment
? secondary (learned skills) and tertiary (~masking/survival-related behaviors), not just innate strengths
? the reason every archetype resonates is due to context dependence, aspiration and lived experience - in my case, as a neurodivergent person and a woman in science & engineering, I was trying to define myself based on how I'd best fit in, not defining myself based on how I best *showed up*.
: https://bookshop.org/p/books/do-what-you-are-discover-the-perfect-career-for-you-through-the-secrets-of-personality-type-barbara-barron/15561162
Some of the books truly resonate! It appears “What Color Is Your Parachute” gets revised frequently, albeit annually.
Good luck with your book project!
Good luck with your book project!
Thanks for sharing such an inspiring post... ? It seems like despite years of writing experience and awards, being approached by a major publisher to write a book has triggered your imposter syndrome, but like you mentioned, by diving into research and planning, you have found your confidence, and that is absolutely amazing/so inspiring... ?
This is absolutely the next step for you and I am so glad that you will begin your book writing journey! There is a reason you have built a community and a business - you have a voice and a message that resonates. Stay true to that and true to you and it will be a roaring success! I cannot wait to buy it.
Your dissertation is a book. I wrote a book about leaving academia. If I can do it, you can do it. You can write a book about leaving academia. You don't need to be years out. Congrats!
Congrats! This can be helpful for others, so, go ahead. My recent favourite is this:
So good they can't ignore you. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13525945-so-good-they-can-t-ignore-you
I didn't like good enough job and big think. Not my cup of tea. The one of @Matteo Tardelli, PhD is pretty good and inspiring.
Also I can recommend a Coursera course about designing your career.
Good luck, looking forward to see your book on my hands.
So good they can't ignore you. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13525945-so-good-they-can-t-ignore-you
I didn't like good enough job and big think. Not my cup of tea. The one of @Matteo Tardelli, PhD is pretty good and inspiring.
Also I can recommend a Coursera course about designing your career.
Good luck, looking forward to see your book on my hands.
1 Comment on Raul Sanchez-Lopez, PhD’s comment
And I would watch this webinar. It simplifies the structure and process. As a scientist, it gave me some guidance and it might be useful for you too
https://youtu.be/DtyYa6Nx9m8?si=OA-e2yukxVL0Np6z
https://youtu.be/DtyYa6Nx9m8?si=OA-e2yukxVL0Np6z
Ashley, if you want someone to help you through the process, I would be happy to help, pro bono. I am trying to build an editing portfolio and would love to support a fellow former academic! If interested, DM me and we can chat.
Congratulations!
Imposter syndrome is a hard one.
It might not work for everyone, but it always helps me get through it when I remember that everyone feels that way sometimes. Sometimes that takes a little while though
Imposter syndrome is a hard one.
It might not work for everyone, but it always helps me get through it when I remember that everyone feels that way sometimes. Sometimes that takes a little while though
Very exciting, Ashley! Writing a book is a lot of work, but it sets you up for a wonderful journey.
I'd recommend The Artist's Way, by Julia Cameron - it was recommended to me by my ADHD-managing psychiatrist - it's not just for artists.
And about coaching, I very much enjoyed "The master coach" by Gregg Thompson
Ashley Ruba, PhD This post brought me such great joy! I was successful in my transition from academia to industry because of YOU! Your posts inspire me. YOU GOT THIS!
Ashley Ruba, PhD Do it anyway and it will have more impact than you could ever imagine even if you planned it.
You'll be fabulous. Don't doubt yourself.
Definitely Herminia Ibarra's Working Identity: Unconventional Strategies for Reinventing Your Career. I also really like John Lees's How to Get a Job You Love.
Ahhh AMAZING!!!!
Congratulations, Ashley! The world needs YOUR book!
Congrats Ashley! Big things to come!!
Congratulations! This is exciting.
