Rewriting a thesis

You’ve finished your thesis: how can you make it into a book?

AIATSIS, through Aboriginal Studies Press (ASP) is committed to scholarly or academic publishing in the area of Indigenous studies. However, the reality of academic publishing is that very few theses are published in book form nowadays without there being considerable rewriting. This is a worldwide phenomenon, not just an Australian one. It’s due mostly to high costs of print production along with low sales, and the fact that there are now fewer University Presses which used to specialise in this kind of publishing.

If you’re contemplating turning your thesis into a book — usually a large undertaking — you should be aware of the amount of work required. Although some examiners comment that a particular thesis should be published, they’re usually noting that the ideas in the thesis should reach a wider audience. However, as they don’t usually speak with an understanding of the world of publishing it’s worth carefully considering other options before you begin work.

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