Heidi Burns, PhDExecutive Editor

Peter Lang Publishing

© Heidi Burns

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� Know your topic.Know your topic.Know your topic.Know your topic.

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� Know what you are going to write about.Know what you are going to write about.Know what you are going to write about.Know what you are going to write about.

———— Do preliminary readings and jot downDo preliminary readings and jot downDo preliminary readings and jot downDo preliminary readings and jot down

ideas.ideas.ideas.ideas.

———— Be focused and goal oriented.Be focused and goal oriented.Be focused and goal oriented.Be focused and goal oriented.

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� The thesis, or hypothesis in natural sciences The thesis, or hypothesis in natural sciences The thesis, or hypothesis in natural sciences The thesis, or hypothesis in natural sciences writing, is the central statement about the writing, is the central statement about the writing, is the central statement about the writing, is the central statement about the contents of the work.contents of the work.contents of the work.contents of the work.

� Build the argument around the thesis.Build the argument around the thesis.Build the argument around the thesis.Build the argument around the thesis.

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� The thesis is a statement in contrast to an The thesis is a statement in contrast to an The thesis is a statement in contrast to an The thesis is a statement in contrast to an announcement.announcement.announcement.announcement.

� Having a solid thesis will help you write, no Having a solid thesis will help you write, no Having a solid thesis will help you write, no Having a solid thesis will help you write, no matter whether your writing project is a matter whether your writing project is a matter whether your writing project is a matter whether your writing project is a research paper, a journal article, a research paper, a journal article, a research paper, a journal article, a research paper, a journal article, a dissertation, or a book. dissertation, or a book. dissertation, or a book. dissertation, or a book.

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� Theoretically, the thesis can be anywhere in Theoretically, the thesis can be anywhere in Theoretically, the thesis can be anywhere in Theoretically, the thesis can be anywhere in the writing project.the writing project.the writing project.the writing project.

� Recommendation: Place the thesis early in the Recommendation: Place the thesis early in the Recommendation: Place the thesis early in the Recommendation: Place the thesis early in the work.work.work.work.

� Be assertiveBe assertiveBe assertiveBe assertive.

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� Although the electronic media play an Although the electronic media play an Although the electronic media play an Although the electronic media play an important role in communication and literacy, important role in communication and literacy, important role in communication and literacy, important role in communication and literacy, the printed book will continue to exist in the printed book will continue to exist in the printed book will continue to exist in the printed book will continue to exist in tandem with electronic publications. tandem with electronic publications. tandem with electronic publications. tandem with electronic publications.

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� Write engagingly!Write engagingly!Write engagingly!Write engagingly!◦ Use transitions to connect sentences logically.Use transitions to connect sentences logically.Use transitions to connect sentences logically.Use transitions to connect sentences logically.

◦ Use grammar correctly. Use grammar correctly. Use grammar correctly. Use grammar correctly.

◦ Consult a dictionary if you are not sure about Consult a dictionary if you are not sure about Consult a dictionary if you are not sure about Consult a dictionary if you are not sure about the spelling or meaning of a word. the spelling or meaning of a word. the spelling or meaning of a word. the spelling or meaning of a word.

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� Vary your sentence patternsVary your sentence patternsVary your sentence patternsVary your sentence patterns◦ Use subordinate clauses Use subordinate clauses Use subordinate clauses Use subordinate clauses

◦ Use compound sentencesUse compound sentencesUse compound sentencesUse compound sentences

◦ Use participial constructions Use participial constructions Use participial constructions Use participial constructions

◦ Make your text “sing.” Make your text “sing.” Make your text “sing.” Make your text “sing.”

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� Avoid beginning sentences with “This is.” Avoid beginning sentences with “This is.” Avoid beginning sentences with “This is.” Avoid beginning sentences with “This is.” The “This” should either be followed by a The “This” should either be followed by a The “This” should either be followed by a The “This” should either be followed by a noun that captures the meaning of what noun that captures the meaning of what noun that captures the meaning of what noun that captures the meaning of what “This” refers to or be replaced by another “This” refers to or be replaced by another “This” refers to or be replaced by another “This” refers to or be replaced by another word or structure.word or structure.word or structure.word or structure.

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� Use subheads sparinglyUse subheads sparinglyUse subheads sparinglyUse subheads sparingly

◦ Too many levels of subheads can be Too many levels of subheads can be Too many levels of subheads can be Too many levels of subheads can be CONFUSING.CONFUSING.CONFUSING.CONFUSING.

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� Don’t announce what you are going to do.Don’t announce what you are going to do.Don’t announce what you are going to do.Don’t announce what you are going to do.

Just do it!Just do it!Just do it!Just do it!

� There is no need to summarize after each There is no need to summarize after each There is no need to summarize after each There is no need to summarize after each section what you have just saidsection what you have just saidsection what you have just saidsection what you have just said————although although although although writers of doctoral dissertations are often writers of doctoral dissertations are often writers of doctoral dissertations are often writers of doctoral dissertations are often required to take this approach.required to take this approach.required to take this approach.required to take this approach.

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� Vary your word choices.Vary your word choices.Vary your word choices.Vary your word choices.

� Use language that is appropriate for your Use language that is appropriate for your Use language that is appropriate for your Use language that is appropriate for your audience. audience. audience. audience.

� Do not use “I,” “we,” “our,” “my,” or “you” in Do not use “I,” “we,” “our,” “my,” or “you” in Do not use “I,” “we,” “our,” “my,” or “you” in Do not use “I,” “we,” “our,” “my,” or “you” in scholarly writing. scholarly writing. scholarly writing. scholarly writing.

� Write in the third person.Write in the third person.Write in the third person.Write in the third person.

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� Keep it to a necessary minimum.Keep it to a necessary minimum.Keep it to a necessary minimum.Keep it to a necessary minimum.

� However, include what is necessary.However, include what is necessary.However, include what is necessary.However, include what is necessary.

� Your research needs to be couched in what Your research needs to be couched in what Your research needs to be couched in what Your research needs to be couched in what others have done before. others have done before. others have done before. others have done before.

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� Document what is necessary, but you do not Document what is necessary, but you do not Document what is necessary, but you do not Document what is necessary, but you do not need to list everything anyone has ever said need to list everything anyone has ever said need to list everything anyone has ever said need to list everything anyone has ever said about your topic.about your topic.about your topic.about your topic.

� Readers are interested in YOUR Findings.Readers are interested in YOUR Findings.Readers are interested in YOUR Findings.Readers are interested in YOUR Findings.

� Accept responsibility for your research. Accept responsibility for your research. Accept responsibility for your research. Accept responsibility for your research. However, do incorporate research that is However, do incorporate research that is However, do incorporate research that is However, do incorporate research that is

RECENT and RELEVANT!RECENT and RELEVANT!RECENT and RELEVANT!RECENT and RELEVANT!

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� Which method of documentation (publication Which method of documentation (publication Which method of documentation (publication Which method of documentation (publication manual) is most appropriate for the project? manual) is most appropriate for the project? manual) is most appropriate for the project? manual) is most appropriate for the project?

� If you already have a Publishing House or If you already have a Publishing House or If you already have a Publishing House or If you already have a Publishing House or Journal in mind, follow the respective Journal in mind, follow the respective Journal in mind, follow the respective Journal in mind, follow the respective submission guidelines.submission guidelines.submission guidelines.submission guidelines.

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� Make sure you spell the authors’ names Make sure you spell the authors’ names Make sure you spell the authors’ names Make sure you spell the authors’ names whose work you cite correctly. The names whose work you cite correctly. The names whose work you cite correctly. The names whose work you cite correctly. The names need to be the same in the text as in the need to be the same in the text as in the need to be the same in the text as in the need to be the same in the text as in the References. References. References. References.

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� et al. Means “and others”et al. Means “and others”et al. Means “and others”et al. Means “and others”

� et is not an abbreviation and should not be et is not an abbreviation and should not be et is not an abbreviation and should not be et is not an abbreviation and should not be followed by a period.followed by a period.followed by a period.followed by a period.

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� Chicago Manual of Style,Chicago Manual of Style,Chicago Manual of Style,Chicago Manual of Style, 16161616thththth editioneditioneditionedition

� APA Manual,APA Manual,APA Manual,APA Manual, 6666thththth editioneditioneditionedition

� MLA Handbook,MLA Handbook,MLA Handbook,MLA Handbook, 7777thththth editioneditioneditionedition

� AMA ManualAMA ManualAMA ManualAMA Manual

� IEEE ManualIEEE ManualIEEE ManualIEEE Manual

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� Sources cited in the text need a Sources cited in the text need a Sources cited in the text need a Sources cited in the text need a corresponding entry in the Bibliography, corresponding entry in the Bibliography, corresponding entry in the Bibliography, corresponding entry in the Bibliography, Works Cited section, or References.Works Cited section, or References.Works Cited section, or References.Works Cited section, or References.

� Adhere to the method of documentation you Adhere to the method of documentation you Adhere to the method of documentation you Adhere to the method of documentation you choose!choose!choose!choose!

� Watch out for CORRECT alphabetization!Watch out for CORRECT alphabetization!Watch out for CORRECT alphabetization!Watch out for CORRECT alphabetization!

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� Discusses Discusses Discusses Discusses ◦ book structurebook structurebook structurebook structure

◦ CopyeditingCopyeditingCopyeditingCopyediting

◦ Copyright law and permissionsCopyright law and permissionsCopyright law and permissionsCopyright law and permissions

◦ How to prepare an indexHow to prepare an indexHow to prepare an indexHow to prepare an index

� Offers two different methods of documentationOffers two different methods of documentationOffers two different methods of documentationOffers two different methods of documentation

� The 16The 16The 16The 16thththth edition of the edition of the edition of the edition of the CMS CMS CMS CMS was published in was published in was published in was published in August of 2010August of 2010August of 2010August of 2010————it is accessible online and in it is accessible online and in it is accessible online and in it is accessible online and in

book form.book form.book form.book form.

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Title needs to be:Title needs to be:Title needs to be:Title needs to be:

� revealing rather than obscuringrevealing rather than obscuringrevealing rather than obscuringrevealing rather than obscuring————at the at the at the at the beginning a “working title” is fine;beginning a “working title” is fine;beginning a “working title” is fine;beginning a “working title” is fine;

� short and informativeshort and informativeshort and informativeshort and informative————a cute main title a cute main title a cute main title a cute main title that says nothing about the contents of that says nothing about the contents of that says nothing about the contents of that says nothing about the contents of the book is misleading and hence the book is misleading and hence the book is misleading and hence the book is misleading and hence inappropriate. inappropriate. inappropriate. inappropriate.

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� Indexes are valuable tools for scholarlyIndexes are valuable tools for scholarlyIndexes are valuable tools for scholarlyIndexes are valuable tools for scholarly

books.books.books.books.

Here, too, watch out for CORRECT Here, too, watch out for CORRECT Here, too, watch out for CORRECT Here, too, watch out for CORRECT alphabetization! alphabetization! alphabetization! alphabetization!

Chicago Manual of Style, Chicago Manual of Style, Chicago Manual of Style, Chicago Manual of Style, 16161616thththth edition gives edition gives edition gives edition gives guidelines on how to prepare an index.guidelines on how to prepare an index.guidelines on how to prepare an index.guidelines on how to prepare an index.

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� No matter what you write, whether it is for No matter what you write, whether it is for No matter what you write, whether it is for No matter what you write, whether it is for publication or not, your work is copyrighted. publication or not, your work is copyrighted. publication or not, your work is copyrighted. publication or not, your work is copyrighted.

� Every published book has a “copyright” page Every published book has a “copyright” page Every published book has a “copyright” page Every published book has a “copyright” page in the front matter.in the front matter.in the front matter.in the front matter.

� Every item you find on the Internet is also Every item you find on the Internet is also Every item you find on the Internet is also Every item you find on the Internet is also copyrighted. You do need to quote properly copyrighted. You do need to quote properly copyrighted. You do need to quote properly copyrighted. You do need to quote properly and correctly and document your sources. and correctly and document your sources. and correctly and document your sources. and correctly and document your sources.

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� Works are typically in the public domain Works are typically in the public domain Works are typically in the public domain Works are typically in the public domain that were published at least 95 years ago that were published at least 95 years ago that were published at least 95 years ago that were published at least 95 years ago if the author or creator is a corporation.if the author or creator is a corporation.if the author or creator is a corporation.if the author or creator is a corporation.

� Works that were not published are in the Works that were not published are in the Works that were not published are in the Works that were not published are in the public domain 120 years after their public domain 120 years after their public domain 120 years after their public domain 120 years after their creation.creation.creation.creation.

� The copyright of a book with a person as The copyright of a book with a person as The copyright of a book with a person as The copyright of a book with a person as the author extends to life of the author the author extends to life of the author the author extends to life of the author the author extends to life of the author plus 70 years. plus 70 years. plus 70 years. plus 70 years.

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� Fair use refers to the citation the works of Fair use refers to the citation the works of Fair use refers to the citation the works of Fair use refers to the citation the works of others within limits that do not infringe on others within limits that do not infringe on others within limits that do not infringe on others within limits that do not infringe on the copyright of another author.the copyright of another author.the copyright of another author.the copyright of another author.

� The amount of material that can be used The amount of material that can be used The amount of material that can be used The amount of material that can be used without having to request permission is without having to request permission is without having to request permission is without having to request permission is vague and is not clearly defined by law. vague and is not clearly defined by law. vague and is not clearly defined by law. vague and is not clearly defined by law.

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� Avoiding copyright infringement:Avoiding copyright infringement:Avoiding copyright infringement:Avoiding copyright infringement:

� Permissions are necessary when you include Permissions are necessary when you include Permissions are necessary when you include Permissions are necessary when you include text, art, or that is not in the “public domain” text, art, or that is not in the “public domain” text, art, or that is not in the “public domain” text, art, or that is not in the “public domain” and the amount quoted does not fall under and the amount quoted does not fall under and the amount quoted does not fall under and the amount quoted does not fall under the parameters of “fair use.”the parameters of “fair use.”the parameters of “fair use.”the parameters of “fair use.”

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� Written permission is necessaryWritten permission is necessaryWritten permission is necessaryWritten permission is necessary————verbalverbalverbalverbal

permission is not enough.permission is not enough.permission is not enough.permission is not enough.

● It is the author’s responsibility to obtain It is the author’s responsibility to obtain It is the author’s responsibility to obtain It is the author’s responsibility to obtain written permission. written permission. written permission. written permission.

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� It is necessary to obtain permission to reprint It is necessary to obtain permission to reprint It is necessary to obtain permission to reprint It is necessary to obtain permission to reprint tables and figures from other sources.tables and figures from other sources.tables and figures from other sources.tables and figures from other sources.

� Original tables and figures need informative Original tables and figures need informative Original tables and figures need informative Original tables and figures need informative captions and their meaning should be captions and their meaning should be captions and their meaning should be captions and their meaning should be analyzed in the text. analyzed in the text. analyzed in the text. analyzed in the text.

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� Block quotations (i.e., quotes several lines Block quotations (i.e., quotes several lines Block quotations (i.e., quotes several lines Block quotations (i.e., quotes several lines long) are set off from the text, and authors long) are set off from the text, and authors long) are set off from the text, and authors long) are set off from the text, and authors need to doubleneed to doubleneed to doubleneed to double----check proofs to make sure check proofs to make sure check proofs to make sure check proofs to make sure block quotations are indeed set off from the block quotations are indeed set off from the block quotations are indeed set off from the block quotations are indeed set off from the text because they are NOT in quotation text because they are NOT in quotation text because they are NOT in quotation text because they are NOT in quotation marks.marks.marks.marks.

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● To avoid “inadvertent” plagiarism, give the source To avoid “inadvertent” plagiarism, give the source To avoid “inadvertent” plagiarism, give the source To avoid “inadvertent” plagiarism, give the source of the direct quotations and put the direct of the direct quotations and put the direct of the direct quotations and put the direct of the direct quotations and put the direct quotation within quotation marks. quotation within quotation marks. quotation within quotation marks. quotation within quotation marks.

� Block quotations, though, are presented without Block quotations, though, are presented without Block quotations, though, are presented without Block quotations, though, are presented without quotation marks and are indented; if the quotation marks and are indented; if the quotation marks and are indented; if the quotation marks and are indented; if the indentation is gone, an author might think the text indentation is gone, an author might think the text indentation is gone, an author might think the text indentation is gone, an author might think the text is his or her own, and what has been meant to be is his or her own, and what has been meant to be is his or her own, and what has been meant to be is his or her own, and what has been meant to be identified as a quotation becomes part of the identified as a quotation becomes part of the identified as a quotation becomes part of the identified as a quotation becomes part of the author’s text. Even if it is unintentional, it is still author’s text. Even if it is unintentional, it is still author’s text. Even if it is unintentional, it is still author’s text. Even if it is unintentional, it is still plagiarism. plagiarism. plagiarism. plagiarism.

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� An edited book has at least one volume editor.An edited book has at least one volume editor.An edited book has at least one volume editor.An edited book has at least one volume editor.

� Edited books comprise a certain number of book Edited books comprise a certain number of book Edited books comprise a certain number of book Edited books comprise a certain number of book chapters by different authors, the “contributors.” chapters by different authors, the “contributors.” chapters by different authors, the “contributors.” chapters by different authors, the “contributors.”

� The chapters have a common theme.The chapters have a common theme.The chapters have a common theme.The chapters have a common theme.

� The chapters are of the same consistently high The chapters are of the same consistently high The chapters are of the same consistently high The chapters are of the same consistently high quality.quality.quality.quality.

� The chapters adhere to the same method of The chapters adhere to the same method of The chapters adhere to the same method of The chapters adhere to the same method of documentation. documentation. documentation. documentation.

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� The volume editor typically originates the The volume editor typically originates the The volume editor typically originates the The volume editor typically originates the idea for the volume, gives guidance to the idea for the volume, gives guidance to the idea for the volume, gives guidance to the idea for the volume, gives guidance to the contributors, and is the person in contact contributors, and is the person in contact contributors, and is the person in contact contributors, and is the person in contact with the publishing company.with the publishing company.with the publishing company.with the publishing company.

� The volume editor establishes the guidelines The volume editor establishes the guidelines The volume editor establishes the guidelines The volume editor establishes the guidelines for the volume in terms of length and number for the volume in terms of length and number for the volume in terms of length and number for the volume in terms of length and number of the essays, as well as deadlines. of the essays, as well as deadlines. of the essays, as well as deadlines. of the essays, as well as deadlines.

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� Contributors typically write a chapter for the Contributors typically write a chapter for the Contributors typically write a chapter for the Contributors typically write a chapter for the volume.volume.volume.volume.

� It is important that contributors obtain It is important that contributors obtain It is important that contributors obtain It is important that contributors obtain guidelines for the volume from the volume guidelines for the volume from the volume guidelines for the volume from the volume guidelines for the volume from the volume editor in terms of length of the chapter, editor in terms of length of the chapter, editor in terms of length of the chapter, editor in terms of length of the chapter, method of documentation, and deadlines.method of documentation, and deadlines.method of documentation, and deadlines.method of documentation, and deadlines.

� Contributors do their best to meet the Contributors do their best to meet the Contributors do their best to meet the Contributors do their best to meet the deadlines established by the volume editor in deadlines established by the volume editor in deadlines established by the volume editor in deadlines established by the volume editor in conjunction with the publishing house. conjunction with the publishing house. conjunction with the publishing house. conjunction with the publishing house.

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� Edited volumes can be interdisciplinary, but it Edited volumes can be interdisciplinary, but it Edited volumes can be interdisciplinary, but it Edited volumes can be interdisciplinary, but it is important that all the chapters are is important that all the chapters are is important that all the chapters are is important that all the chapters are connected by a common theme to give the connected by a common theme to give the connected by a common theme to give the connected by a common theme to give the book consistency. book consistency. book consistency. book consistency.

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� The essays for an edited book have to be The essays for an edited book have to be The essays for an edited book have to be The essays for an edited book have to be carefully scrutinized, and it needs to be made carefully scrutinized, and it needs to be made carefully scrutinized, and it needs to be made carefully scrutinized, and it needs to be made sure that all the essays are of high quality.sure that all the essays are of high quality.sure that all the essays are of high quality.sure that all the essays are of high quality.

� It does happen that essays have to be It does happen that essays have to be It does happen that essays have to be It does happen that essays have to be eliminated if the quality is lacking. eliminated if the quality is lacking. eliminated if the quality is lacking. eliminated if the quality is lacking.

� The essays should adhere to the same The essays should adhere to the same The essays should adhere to the same The essays should adhere to the same method of documentation. method of documentation. method of documentation. method of documentation.

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Humanities and Social SciencesHumanities and Social SciencesHumanities and Social SciencesHumanities and Social Sciences

� Modern Languages and LiteraturesModern Languages and LiteraturesModern Languages and LiteraturesModern Languages and Literatures

� African American StudiesAfrican American StudiesAfrican American StudiesAfrican American Studies

� EducationEducationEducationEducation

� HistoryHistoryHistoryHistory

� Media StudiesMedia StudiesMedia StudiesMedia Studies

� Theology and ReligionTheology and ReligionTheology and ReligionTheology and Religion

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� Books appear in (depending on contents)Books appear in (depending on contents)Books appear in (depending on contents)Books appear in (depending on contents)

� HardcoverHardcoverHardcoverHardcover

� PaperbackPaperbackPaperbackPaperback

� EEEE----booksbooksbooksbooks

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� CatalogsCatalogsCatalogsCatalogs

� Internet (Web site: Internet (Web site: Internet (Web site: Internet (Web site: www.peterlang.comwww.peterlang.comwww.peterlang.comwww.peterlang.com))))

� Amazon.comAmazon.comAmazon.comAmazon.com

� Bn.com Bn.com Bn.com Bn.com

� ConferencesConferencesConferencesConferences

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� Advanced book information sent to all Advanced book information sent to all Advanced book information sent to all Advanced book information sent to all wholesalers, e.g., Bowker (Books in Print)wholesalers, e.g., Bowker (Books in Print)wholesalers, e.g., Bowker (Books in Print)wholesalers, e.g., Bowker (Books in Print)

� Amazon.comAmazon.comAmazon.comAmazon.com

� BN.comBN.comBN.comBN.com

� www.peterlang.comwww.peterlang.comwww.peterlang.comwww.peterlang.com

� Books are sent to H. W. Wilson for inclusion in Books are sent to H. W. Wilson for inclusion in Books are sent to H. W. Wilson for inclusion in Books are sent to H. W. Wilson for inclusion in the Cumulative Book Indexthe Cumulative Book Indexthe Cumulative Book Indexthe Cumulative Book Index

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� Each book is sent to the Each book is sent to the Each book is sent to the Each book is sent to the Chronicle of Higher Chronicle of Higher Chronicle of Higher Chronicle of Higher EducationEducationEducationEducation and, if applicable, to the and, if applicable, to the and, if applicable, to the and, if applicable, to the

MLA Bibliography.MLA Bibliography.MLA Bibliography.MLA Bibliography.

● Seasonal split catalogues are sent to Seasonal split catalogues are sent to Seasonal split catalogues are sent to Seasonal split catalogues are sent to customers from our Swiss office.customers from our Swiss office.customers from our Swiss office.customers from our Swiss office.

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� Heidi Burns, PhDHeidi Burns, PhDHeidi Burns, PhDHeidi Burns, PhD� Executive EditorExecutive EditorExecutive EditorExecutive Editor� Peter Lang PublishingPeter Lang PublishingPeter Lang PublishingPeter Lang Publishing� P.O. Box 1246 P.O. Box 1246 P.O. Box 1246 P.O. Box 1246 Bel Air, MD 21014Bel Air, MD 21014Bel Air, MD 21014Bel Air, MD 21014

� EEEE----Mail: Mail: Mail: Mail: hburns@plang.comhburns@plang.comhburns@plang.comhburns@plang.com� (410) 879(410) 879(410) 879(410) 879----6300 (voice)6300 (voice)6300 (voice)6300 (voice)� (410) 836(410) 836(410) 836(410) 836----9550 (fax)9550 (fax)9550 (fax)9550 (fax)� www.peterlang.comwww.peterlang.comwww.peterlang.comwww.peterlang.com

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