Like all school textbooks, geography textbooks are authored. Almost all textbook research in and beyond geography has neglected their authors. This questionnaire-based multinational research project investigated the perceptions of 71 primary and secondary school geography textbook authors from seven countries in five continents. Though not…

Writing a textbook is close to a unique experience in the work of a psychologist. In this article, we discuss the steps authors need to take in preparing to write a textbook. We take the reader through a series of steps, from formulating an idea for a textbook to negotiating a contract. Writing a textbook can be one of the greatest joys of a…

This article reassesses the Fred Newton Scott and Joseph Villiers Denney collaborative textbook authorship by emphasizing Denney's generally overlooked contributions to that coauthorship and to the field of composition generally. Through an examination of Denney's scholarly work and his personal correspondence with Scott during the period marking…

The author describes in personal terms the genesis of his introductory psychology text, Understanding Human Behavior. (Author)

Managed texts are written and designed by a team of writers and researchers under the direction and control of a publishing house. How these books got started, what needs they meet, their advantages and disadvantages, and the consequences they are having on college text publishing are addressed. (JMD)

These are the reflections of a textbook author in the course of revising a secondary school textbook. While the average life of a textbook is five years, many stay in schools for much longer. A textbook author or editor must therefore attempt to produce a book that will be relevant and meaningful for children years in the future. This involves the…

Offers the author's own experiences with the textbook publishing process to point out that authors and publishers produce textbooks which sell, that textbooks which sell continue in print and inspire imitators, and that teachers' power in the process stems from their choices about which textbooks they will use. (JAD)

A university professor describes his experiences with publishing companies and editors as he wrote the undergraduate U.S. history survey textbook "These United States." (RM)

A guide for authors of correspondence course units is presented to aid staff and consultants who will develop a correspondence cum residential course in curriculum development at the Kenya Institute of Education. The guide is based on observations at the Open University at Milton Keynes. The following areas are considered: the contribution of…

Metadiscourse, or an author's presence in a text, and its benefits for improving textbooks and children's learning and attitudes are explored in this paper. Through a historical review, the paper reveals that using the interpersonal voice and the author's commentary are legitimate rhetorical devices. Interviews with prominent contemporary…

This article looks at why educational publishers produce materials for children with a limited regard for children's interests. (CD)

Reports on the scholarly content of four widely adopted introductory college sociology textbooks and the scholarly activity of their respective authors. Finds that, although all used a wide variety of source materials, there were substantial differences in source selection. (CFR)

Contends that an author's contribution to a textbook may be more or less significant, depending on how much importance is attached to curricula, publishers, consultants, and the school environment. Discusses the changing role of textbook authors in Norway and other nations. Reviews research on textbook development and textbook writing. (CFR)

Lists 25 steps and suggestions for the neophyte, including tips on teaching the related course, analyses of course tests, studying the competition, and coauthoring. An appendix contains selected sources on academic book publication. (CRH)