Congratulations on completing your PhD! That's no mean feat.
If you’re now thinking about sharing your research more widely, you may want to develop it into a book. Springer Nature considers submissions based on PhD theses, including those made publicly available through your institution. Theses should be nominated for publication by heads of department at internationally leading institutions.
Before submitting, it’s important to know that all theses require substantial revision to become publishable monographs. Below is an overview of what to expect as you begin planning.
Planning your revisions
Turning a thesis into a book takes time and careful planning. Most authors spend at least a year revising their work, and longer if new research or data is needed.
- Timing: Begin working on your book proposal only after you have submitted, defended, and completed your PhD. This allows you to approach the material with fresh perspective and incorporate examiner feedback.
- Format: Think about the most suitable format for your project. Some ideas develop into a full-length monograph (around 90,000 words), while others work better as a shorter book, such as a Palgrave Pivot (25,000–50,000 words), especially for focused case studies or streamlined topics.
How a book differs from a thesis
- Audience: A thesis is written for examiners; a book is written for a wider academic audience who may not be specialists in your exact topic.
- Rationale: Your book should clearly explain why your research matters and what contribution it makes. The goal is to present a coherent, persuasive argument, not to demonstrate your ability to complete a PhD.
- Structure: A book needs a clear, accessible structure.
- The introduction should outline the chapters.- The conclusion should highlight key findings and future research directions.
- Compare your thesis with published books in your field to help refine your table of contents.
- Length: Books are shorter than theses.
- Stand‑alone literature review and methodology chapters are usually unnecessary.- Relevant literature can be moved to chapter endnotes.
- Methodology should be concise and often integrated into the introduction.
