I was hugely grateful for Tommy Kidd’s recent column on
publishing in history. His post took so many themes that are
quite familiar to academics and professional scholars, and then
unpacked them for non-specialists in an extraordinarily valuable
way. That was a real contribution.  Like Tommy, I also lay claim
to being a prolific publisher. (If he carries on as he is, he
will undoubtedly surpass me before too long, the
whippersnapper). I’m sometimes asked if I have any advice for
writing generally. I don’t have any cosmic secrets to offer, but
the following thoughts might be of some use. If they work for
you, that’s wonderful. If not, then that’s fine also. Use what
works for you.  Incidentally, much of what follows also applies
strongly to writing dissertations!  In no particular order:
*Nobody ever wrote a book. People write chapters, which are
brought together to form a book.  These often begin as articles
or individual studies. In most cases, authors begin with an
overall vision of a larger project, but n