Consultation on Professional Writing and Publishing
Whether you’re a researcher considering your first book, a clinician looking to publish your first peer-reviewed article, or just trying to navigate the complicated world of publishing, I offer consultation on professional and scientific writing based on my own experience as a published author, researcher, editor, and book/journal reviewer.
About Dr. Sharpless
I have written three books and edited two more, published by Oxford University Press, Guilford Press, and Chicago Review Press. In total, I have authored or co-authored more than 55 professional publications, including peer-reviewed journal articles and other academic and popular writings. My academic books include Psychodynamic Therapy Techniques: A Guide to Expressive and Supportive Interventions (Oxford University Press, 2019) — translated into Turkish and Chinese — and Sleep Paralysis: Historical, Psychological, and Medical Perspectives (Oxford University Press, 2015, with Karl Doghramji, M.D.). I also edited Unusual and Rare Psychological Disorders: A Handbook for Clinical Practice and Research (Oxford University Press, 2017) and co-edited The Clinical Handbook of Psychodynamic Therapies with Jacques Barber, Ph.D.(Guilford, in press). In addition, I have served as a book reviewer for Oxford University Press, John Wiley & Sons, and the Biometrics Research Department (for the SCID-5-RV) and as an ad-hoc reviewer for more than 20 professional journals.
Beyond academic publishing, I wrote a popular press book, Monsters on the Couch: The Real Psychological Disorders Behind Your Favorite Horror Movies (Chicago Review Press, 2024), which was subsequently translated and published in Russia.
Publishing can sometimes feel like an overwhelming, opaque process. This is especially the case for a first-time author of a book or peer-reviewed article. In my experience, it’s best approached thoughtfully and systematically. I will bring that same practical, step-by-step mindset to consultation.
Areas of Focus
Book Proposals & Publisher Pitches Guidance on developing a compelling book proposal, identifying the right publisher for your project, and crafting materials that will resonate with acquisitions editors.
Scientific & Peer-Reviewed Writing Support for clinicians and researchers navigating their first (or next) peer-reviewed article. This may include discussing manuscript structure, journal selection, responding to reviewers, and demystifying a process that often feels onerous and opaque.
Academic-to-Trade Writing Transitions Support for clinicians and academics looking to translate scholarly expertise into books intended for a broader, non-specialist audience.
Navigating the Publishing Process Practical advice on working with editors and publishers, understanding contracts (and always encouraging the use of a book lawyer), managing peer review, and handling the realities of the publishing timeline.
Manuscript & Writing Feedback Consultation on manuscripts in progress, including structure, clarity, and how to strengthen your work’s fit for your intended readership.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you help write the book/article for me? No. This is a consultation service focused on guidance, feedback, and strategy — not ghostwriting or line-editing services.
What kinds of writing do you have experience with? Academic books, edited volumes, peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and popular press/trade nonfiction. I’ve also worked through the translation process for several of my books. Note that I have no experience with writing or editing fictional works.
I’m a clinician, not a researcher — can you still help me publish a scientific article? Yes. Many clinicians have valuable case material, clinical observations, or ideas worth publishing, but find the peer-review process unfamiliar or intimidating. I can help demystify the process and guide you from idea to submission. In addition, there are also many other ways to secure empirical data for analysis than one might think.
Can you help me find a publisher or agent? I can offer guidance on identifying appropriate publishers and how to approach them, based on my own experience publishing across academic and trade presses. I do not act as a literary agent.
Is this only for psychologists or academics? No. While much of my own experience is in psychology and mental health writing, the fundamentals of proposal development, publisher navigation, and manuscript strategy apply broadly to other nonfiction writers.
How do I get started? Please contact me to discuss your project and writing goals, and we can determine whether a single consultation or a series of sessions makes the most sense.
Contact Dr. Sharpless
If you are interested in a consultation, please contact me here or click the Contact button at the top or bottom of this page.