The Social Academic with Jennifer van Alstyne | Online Presence for Professors Scholars, Have You Considered Public Writing? with Lisa Munro, PhD
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Nov 12, 2025 Lisa Munro, a historian and writing coach, discusses the contrasts between public and academic writing. She shares her journey from academic burnout to successful public essays, emphasizing the importance of argument in both styles. Lisa offers practical tips for crafting compelling titles and highlights resources for submitting public scholarship. She also dives into her insights on adoption politics and encourages persistence in the face of rejection, reminding scholars that every setback could be a step toward a better opportunity.
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Public Writing Reaches Wider Audiences
- Public writing targets broader, non-specialist audiences while keeping analytical rigor.
- Long-form public outlets can match academic persuasion but reach many more readers.
A Rage Essay Born Over A Weekend
- Lisa wrote a 3,000-word rage essay about international education during a weekend and began submitting it.
- She received a quick desk rejection from Boston Review but revised and resubmitted elsewhere.
Choose Publication Strategy Early
- For academic articles, pick your target journal early and shape the work to its conversation.
- For public writing, write what interests you first and then find the audience or outlet.