I initially planned to create this website as a landing page for my master's-thesis-turned-book which I hope to find a slightly wider audience for than my wonderful thesis committee. I planned to make the slightly revised thesis available as an ebook and share it with some friends, peers, and maybe even potential employers (I am desperately seeking employment, please hire me!). However, I have decided to take a brief pause to continue revising my thesis to a point where it can rightly be called a book and to see whether there could be any interest from an academic press in publishing it. I've been informed that posting it online would likely rule out any potential for publishing.
I'm not actually sure if I've really come up with something that could matter or if my thesis committee is just wonderfully supportive, encouraging and kind. The manuscript is layered between my own narrative and from the start, I thought of it as my time and space to follow my own interests and to work out my thoughts. I always thought the only outcome of the manuscript that I really cared about would be its role in guiding my own action. However, if what I've written could be of any utility to anyone else then I want to share it.
My idea was that I could sort of crowd source the editing and review process by making the book available online and continually revising it as folks offered their feedback. However, if it is picked up by an academic press the book would have the benefit of editing and peer review as well as printing, marketing, and distribution. Ultimately, academic publishing would likely result in a 'better' book, but a book that could likely not be distributed for free. That's the conflict. I want all of my work to be free and open, but I also want it to matter. Are my expectations of publishers too high? Should I just put it online and see what happens?
Regardless, I decided to make this website be more than a landing page to promote and share my book. I hope to continue to engage with ideas surrounding education, justice, and the environment through this blog. I hope this becomes a space for discussion and collaboration on what I conceptualize as a social and ecological restoration project.
