Podcast Summary: New Books Network – "Make Your Manuscript Work: A Guide to Developmental Editing for Scholarly Writers"

Host: Dr. Christina Gessler
Guest: Dr. Laura Portwood Stacer
Date: October 9, 2025

Overview

In this episode of Academic Life on the New Books Network, Dr. Christina Gessler interviews Dr. Laura Portwood Stacer about her new practical guide, Make Your Manuscript Work: A Guide to Developmental Editing for Scholarly Writers. The discussion offers an in-depth look at the developmental editing process, demystifies the hidden curriculum of scholarly writing and publishing, and shares concrete advice and resources for academic writers at all stages. Dr. Portwood Stacer emphasizes intentionality, process, and community in academic manuscript development.

Key Discussion Points

1. Dr. Laura Portwood Stacer’s Background

• [02:44] Dr. Portwood Stacer is a developmental editor and publishing consultant, running Manuscript Works, a company that helps scholars revise manuscripts, draft proposals, and connect with publishers.
• She also authored The Book Proposal Book and offers free workshops and newsletters to demystify the publishing process.
• Quote:

  “I do have a free newsletter and free public workshops to try to just demystify the book publishing process as widely as possible. So that the lack of knowledge isn't the reason people aren't able to get published.”
  — Dr. Laura Portwood Stacer [03:22]

2. The "Hidden Curriculum" in Academic Publishing

• [03:51] There’s a “hidden curriculum” where much of the process is opaque, even for experienced authors. Many believe they must navigate it solo or pay for expert help.
• Dr. Portwood Stacer recounts her experience of completing a monograph yet still not understanding publishing mechanics, motivating her to share that knowledge.

3. What Is Developmental Editing?

• [05:09] Many writers mistakenly believe a complete manuscript means it is submission-ready. The real challenge is making it coherent and compelling to readers, not just to oneself.
• The intent of Make Your Manuscript Work is to help scholars transform raw drafts into polished, publisher-ready submissions.
• Quote:

  “You wrote that first draft to get your thoughts down, to make it make sense to yourself, and now you have to figure out how to make it make sense to your reader. And so that is what the new book … is intended to help people do.”
  — Dr. Laura Portwood Stacer [05:09]

4. Structure & Practicality of the Book

• [06:00] The book is a hands-on, step-by-step guide addressing every phase of revision, beginning with a detailed table of contents for transparency and anxiety reduction.
• The table of contents is meticulously structured, even breaking down chapter sections for granular guidance.
• Quote:

  “…because it is such a step by step method, the table of contents breaks down each step so that you can actually get an overview of the method from just looking at the table of contents.”
  — Dr. Laura Portwood Stacer [07:22]

5. Clarifying Your Mission

• [09:07] The first stage of developmental editing is articulating your “mission”: Why are you writing this book? What do you hope to achieve? Is a book the right format for your goals?
• This process provides a clear north star for the project and can be done quickly but is vital to motivation and successful revision.

6. The Three Moments of Manuscript Development

• [10:28] Dr. Portwood Stacer identifies three phases when major revisions are typically necessary:
  1. Before Submission: Transforming a personal draft into a publisher-ready manuscript based on four scholarly pillars: argument, evidence, structure, style.
  2. After Peer Review: Addressing feedback to further develop the manuscript.
  3. After Publisher Approval: Final refining to ensure the book meets author’s goals and stands out to readers.
• Quote:

  “…my sort of exhortation at the end of the book is, you set up all these goals for your work… You can't achieve any of those goals if you don't send this out.”
  — Dr. Laura Portwood Stacer [49:40]

7. The Four Scholarly Pillars: Argument, Evidence, Structure, and Style

• [11:05] Manuscripts must excel across these pillars for successful publication.
• Argument is often misunderstood:
  • Not about being defensive or antagonistic, but about making an original claim derived from research ([17:17]).
  • Many authors only discover their argument late in drafting or need support to clearly articulate it.
  • Practical method: Identify claims in your text, synthesize these into a main argument, and make it explicit early on.
• Quote:

  “An argument is an original claim about your subject matter that grows out of the research you've done. So it's not just a presentation of the research… It's your kind of unique take on what you found.”
  — Dr. Laura Portwood Stacer [17:17]

8. Making Your Argument "Portable"

• [29:44] An argument should be constructed so readers beyond your immediate topic can apply it—making the book's impact broader.
• Guidance and real-world examples illustrate this skill, with embedded assessment questions to self-evaluate.

9. The Role of Supportive Readers

• [32:29] Authors don't have to edit alone. Seek three types of readers:
  1. Beta Readers – representative of your target audience, for readability and clarity.
  2. Friendly Reviewers – colleagues or peers for content and structure expertise.
  3. Professional Developmental Editors – experts in manuscript construction, not necessarily subject matter.
• Quote:

  “…editing your work … you can only go so far as the reader of your own work ... At some point to find out if your manuscript works, you have to just give it to people and see if it works.”
  — Dr. Laura Portwood Stacer [32:29]

10. Writing and Revision as Community Work (Not Cheating)

• [38:13] Dr. Portwood Stacer addresses the misconception that getting help is “cheating.” Unlike credentialing processes (e.g., dissertations), scholarly publication is about effective communication, which requires support and teamwork.
• Quote:

  “Books and publications, while they are used as credentials ... are really ideally about communicating ideas to a reader. They are not about proving you can do something…”
  — Dr. Laura Portwood Stacer [38:13]

11. Handling Feedback and Writer’s Anxiety

• [49:40] Accepting feedback (peer review or editorial) is crucial and should not be internalized as personal failure. The book provides tools and exercises to navigate common frustrations and anxiety, emphasizing that everyone faces these challenges.

12. Supporting Other Writers: Appendix D

• [44:55] Appendix D targets readers offering feedback to others—advisors, peers, volume editors—and teaches how to give developmental suggestions, set expectations, and write effective editorial summaries.

13. Using the Book as a Tool

• The book is designed to be referenced non-linearly: jump to specific problems, use assessment checklists, and learn via real annotated examples.
• Substantial back matter (appendices, annotated samples, recommended reading) supports both writers and those coaching others.

Memorable Quotes

• “Not knowing what's going to happen can be the most anxiety provoking thing. So what I try to do for writers is … at least say this is what's going to happen. This is what the general shape of it is going to look like. Now you decide like how you want to engage with that.”
  — Dr. Laura Portwood Stacer [07:22]

• “If it's going to work, you got to let it go do its work.”
  — Dr. Laura Portwood Stacer [49:40]

• “You set up all these goals for your work ... You can't achieve any of those goals if you don't send this out.”
  — Dr. Laura Portwood Stacer [49:40]

• “It is a process, that there will be more work to do after you finish writing that draft. But everyone has to do that work.”
  — Dr. Laura Portwood Stacer [54:26]

Notable Moments and Insights with Timestamps

• [03:22] – Offering free resources to demystify the book publishing process
• [05:09] – The myth that finishing a draft equals readiness for submission
• [06:00] – Emphasis on the book’s step-by-step, practical structure
• [10:28] – The three key moments for major manuscript revision
• [17:17] – How to define a scholarly “argument” (not defensive, but original)
• [20:25] – Methods for discovering and clarifying your argument in the draft
• [29:44] – What a “portable” argument means and example of making arguments applicable beyond one’s case study
• [32:29] – Outline of supportive reader types and their roles
• [38:13] – Why seeking help with one’s writing is essential and not “cheating”
• [44:55] – How Appendix D guides those offering developmental feedback to others
• [49:40] – “Let your manuscript do its work”—final encouragement to share your writing, even while anxious
• [54:26] – The key takeaway: revision is for everyone, and anyone can learn this process

Conclusion & Takeaways

• Writing and revising a scholarly book is a multi-stage, community-based, iterative process.
• Developmental editing is distinct from copyediting; it’s about enhancing substance, not just fixing grammar.
• The journey involves clarifying mission, honing argument, structuring evidence, and welcoming feedback.
• The book provides actionable steps, examples, and tools to support both writers and writing mentors.
• There is no substitution for engaging with outside readers; community and iterative feedback lead to the best scholarly writing.
• It's normal to feel anxious or uncertain—even in late stages—but that isn't a sign of failure.
• Quote:

  “Everyone has to do that work. It doesn't mean you messed up. It just means that you are a writer who is now ... becoming a professional writer who is going to be published. … This book can help them.”
  — Dr. Laura Portwood Stacer [54:26]

Final Host Reflection:
Dr. Gessler recommends this episode and book to anyone facing the uncertainties of academic writing, emphasizing its utility as a supportive resource for demystifying and navigating the path from manuscript to published scholarly book.