written by: Mimi Benjamin and Jody Jessup-Anger, ACPA Books Co-Editors
As co-editors of ACPA Books, we are thrilled to announce the forthcoming publication of Identity Interconnections: Pursuing Poststructural Possibilities in Student Affairs Praxis, edited by Aeriel A. Ashlee and Lisa Delacruz Combs (Identity Interconnections [presswarehouse.com]), co-published by Stylus Publishing and ACPA: College Student Educators International. Ashlee and Combs provide framing to consider how exploration of interconnected identities can foster greater understanding of issues of privilege and oppression. The editors weave together contributions from chapter authors that offer explorations of interconnections between multiracial and interfaith identities, gender and ability, and masculinity and whiteness, to name a few. With a foreword by Marc Johnston-Guerrero and afterword by Elisa S. Abes, this book offers a theoretical framework as well as application for socially just student affairs application.
Although the process for publishing with ACPA Books is outlined (Publications | ACPA (myacpa.org), ACPA members may wonder what the experience is really like. We asked Identity Interconnections editors Aeriel A. Ashlee and Lisa Delcruz Combs about their experience working with ACPA Books. Below are their thoughts on this experience.
Why did you choose to publish through ACPA Books?
“There were several reasons we chose to publish through ACPA Books. First and foremost was that this was our first time publishing a book and so we were looking for mentorship in the process. Mimi and Jody (the ACPA Books co-editors) provided invaluable guidance at every stage of the process, which was incredibly helpful. Additionally, our previous involvement with APAN (Asian Pacific American Network) and MRN (Multiracial Network) informed our decision to publish through ACPA Books, as we’ve found ACPA to be a supportive professional association as womxn of color scholars and practitioners committed to pursuing the healing and liberatory potential of critical and poststructural theoretical frameworks in college student development.”
How was the process for you? What was helpful and what was challenging about it? If you would choose to publish again with ACPA Books, why would you make that choice?
“The process was largely positive. Most helpful was the mentorship we received from Mimi and Jody. The most challenging aspect of the process was the time it took (just over two years from proposal to publication), which was likely not a reflection of ACPA Books or Stylus, but rather the nature of an edited book project.”
What suggestions do you have for authors/editors who want to publish with ACPA Books?
“Be thoughtful in the proposal process, use the proposal as an opportunity to really clarify your vision for the project. Also, if editing a book, give contributing authors as much information up front as you can (e.g., theoretical framework, expectations for about chapter structure, length, etc.). If you plan to write an introduction for your edited volume, do so early in the process and share it with contributing authors so they have common language and a strong foundation and framework for their respective chapters.”
If you are interested in publishing with ACPA Books, please contact us ([email protected] or [email protected]). We are happy to meet with potential authors/editors to discuss and assist with the process. As we will be completing our term as ACPA Books co-editors in March 2023, we also invite anyone interested in serving in this role to contact Flo Guido, ACPA Director of Research and Scholarship ([email protected]) for information about applying to be the next editor/co-editors of ACPA Books.
SERVE AS THE NEXT ACPA BOOKS EDITOR(S)!
ACPA is seeking an editor or co-editors for ACPA Books, beginning March 2023. Please contact Flo Guido, ACPA Director of Research and Scholarship ([email protected]) for information about applying.