The World of Academic Publishing: A Conversation with Robert Dreesen

How do academic books get published? How do scholars turn dissertations and articles into the books we love? How does academic publishing compare to the world of trade publishing? This week, we speak with Robert Dreesen, a seasoned publishing professional with over 30 years of experience in the industry. Dreesen has worked in trade publishing at Penguin and Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, and for nearly two decades at Cambridge University Press, where he served as a publisher of economics and political science. In this episode, we explore the world of academic publishing—offering guidance for young scholars looking to transform their ideas, dissertations, and articles into published books. Dreesen shares the biggest pitfalls scholars encounter when approaching this challenge and walks us through the entire process, from formulating a proposal to securing a book deal. We also discuss how external factors can influence publishing decisions. Additionally, Dreesen reflects on the differences between academic and trade publishing, offering unique insights from his long career. As someone who has worked with countless books, he also reveals the written works he returns to time and again for both enjoyment and intellectual stimulation. Madison’s Notes is the podcast of Princeton University’s James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions. Contributions to and/or sponsorship of any speaker does not constitute departmental or institutional endorsement of the specific program, speakers or views presented.