Book chapter invitation?

[futureapppsy2]

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A few days ago, I received an email asking me to author a specific chapter in a book on one of my main research areas. Having received my share of academic spam, I was initially skeptical, but everything seems to check out--it's commissioned by a very big and reputable publisher and the editor is a well-established professor in a good department. It would take some time and background research to write but the timeline seems doable. Any advice on how weigh this versus time that could be spent on other research projects, manuscripts, etc.?

Thanks!

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

A few days ago, I received an email asking me to author a specific chapter in a book on one of my main research areas. Having received my share of academic spam, I was initially skeptical, but everything seems to check out--it's commissioned by a very big and reputable publisher and the editor is a well-established professor in a good department. It would take some time and background research to write but the timeline seems doable. Any advice on how weigh this versus time that could be spent on other research projects, manuscripts, etc.?

Thanks!

I would say it depends on how many you've done vs how much you can take on. Being in a PsyD program myself, I'd take any bones thrown to me. Maybe the PhD students can be a little more helpful.

 

[Ollie123]

Certainly not as "good" a publication as something peer-reviewed, but if you have time to do it there isn't any harm. Most everyone in academia seems to do them from time to time.

If it was "you" and not your advisor that was asked to author it, I'd probably jump on it just because you are still at a stage where you want to get your name out there. This will help achieve that - even if only with the editor(s).

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Agree with Ollie--particularly early on, this could be a great way to get your name out there a bit, both with the editor and other contributors, and eventually with those who read the book (particularly if it's a new edition of a popular title, or if the editor is already well-known). In some ways, you could almost think of it as academic service, much like serving as an ad hoc reviewer for a journal.

If you have the time to spare, I'd say go for it. Just realize that it'll likely end up consuming more time/effort than you'd initially expected.

 

[futureapppsy2]

Certainly not as "good" a publication as something peer-reviewed, but if you have time to do it there isn't any harm. Most everyone in academia seems to do them from time to time.

If it was "you" and not your advisor that was asked to author it, I'd probably jump on it just because you are still at a stage where you want to get your name out there. This will help achieve that - even if only with the editor(s).

Yep. it was sent directly to me, not via an advisor, so I found it flattering that my work is getting to the stage of being noticed like that, honestly. 🙂

@AcronymAllergy , good point re: thinking of it as a type of "service."

 

[Justanothergrad]

A few days ago, I received an email asking me to author a specific chapter in a book on one of my main research areas. Having received my share of academic spam, I was initially skeptical, but everything seems to check out--it's commissioned by a very big and reputable publisher and the editor is a well-established professor in a good department. It would take some time and background research to write but the timeline seems doable. Any advice on how weigh this versus time that could be spent on other research projects, manuscripts, etc.?

Thanks!

As they said, it wouldn't hurt. book chapters don't tend to look as impressive for faculty job applications, but as i recall you have a solid publication history for that. Good way to get your name out and an easy resource to use for a reference in subsequent research given it is your focal area. It's a sure thing, so thats also nice. In the chapters I have written I found that it went a lot faster than I thought it would because I had so much resource already compiled. Pubs are always timely and involving of hoops.

That said, if you have publications that are at press point- I would do those first.