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Creating a new book can be a complex and rewarding endeavor, driven by the passion, extensive expertise and diverse insights of its authors and editors. ASM Press, the book publishing arm of the American Society for °®¶¹´«Ã½, is a global leader in producing books on the microbial sciences. We spoke with several ASM Press authors to provide a snapshot into their journeys publishing a book, highlighting their motivations, collaborative efforts, challenges and rewards.

Inspiration and Motivation

For many authors, the inspiration to propose an ASM Press book stems from a deep-seated passion for microbiology, and a desire to give back to the community that mentored them throughout their careers. For Brenda A. Wilson, Ph.D., and, authors of , which explores the escalating crisis of antibiotic resistance, the project was both a professional and personal labor of love. The mother-son collaboration, spanning continents and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, added a personal touch to their work. Wilson and Ho wanted to enhance scientific literacy and honor the legacy of , and authors of the book’s first edition. Salyers and Whitt first brought Wilson into the ASM Press author family for the third edition of their seminal advanced undergraduate-level textbook, which explores molecular mechanisms behind bacterial diseases and host interactions. Wilson has gone on to lead subsequent editions of this book, along with coauthor , and added Ho to the team for the fourth edition.

Salyers, a pioneering microbiologist in the fields of bacterial resistance and the human microbiome, inspired another ASM Press author, Stevens first explored the idea of a new textbook while attending a symposium honoring Salyers’ life, achievements and scientific contributions, including the numerous individuals she trained and mentored in the field. At the time, Stevens was teaching a microbial physiology course modeled after a similar course by , a prominent researcher of metabolic networks, bacterial signaling and bioenergy production, and a former Chair of the ASM Press Committee. The intention was to create a resource for teaching microbial physiology that was as accessible and impactful as Bacterial Pathogenesis. Stevens was joined by , and who were all experienced in microbial physiology and teaching and had been mentored by Harwood at some point in their careers. As they put it, “The book was written to honor our past teachers and mentors and leave a legacy for future students.” The result, , takes students through the intricate and often underappreciated world of microbial physiology, highlighting both the commonalities and unique characteristics of microbes.

was driven by a desire to correct misconceptions and provide a historical perspective on the microbial world. His book, , addresses the evolving understanding of microbial diversity and the importance of historical accuracy. Ferric C. Fang, M.D. and Arturo Casadevall, M.D., Ph.D., authors of , were inspired by their long history of writing essays on cross-cutting themes in science. Their book is a collection of updated and expanded essays addressing contemporary issues, including diversity and equity in science.

 The Collaborative Process

Creating a book is a collaborative endeavor involving authors, editors, publishing professionals and subject matter experts, among others. Fang and Casadevall likened their creative process to a ping-pong game, with drafts bouncing back and forth until both were satisfied, ensuring each chapter was a joint effort. Stevens, Ditty, Parales and Merkel, authors of Microbial Physiology, emphasize the importance of their personal relationships, which allowed for candid discussions and effective compromises throughout the writing process. They divided the labor based on their individual strengths, from drafting content, to working with artists for the book’s illustrations and cover, to creating assessment materials. Wilson and Ho refined their content through extensive discussions and feedback, balancing technical accuracy with accessibility. As a single author, Summers took a different approach, working closely with his ASM Press editor, “My main collaborator in the creation of the book was the ASM editor, who was most helpful in several ways: timely communications, clearly stated suggestions and a secure understanding of the scientific aims of the project. This book project was a joy from start to finish."

Challenges and Solutions

Authors may face numerous challenges along the path to book publication, requiring authors to flex their skills of creativity and resilience throughout the process. Stevens, Ditty, Parales and Merkel were novices in textbook writing and faced the COVID-19 pandemic right in the middle of their writing process, necessitating a shift to online collaboration. They overcame this hurdle by leveraging technology, turning regular writing meetings into both professional and social lifelines.

The COVID-19 pandemic also impacted Thinking about Science, with Fang and Casadevall noting the challenge of updating material while addressing contemporary issues in real-time. They ensured accuracy and relevance by continuously reviewing and incorporating recent publications. Wilson, Ho and Summers all highlighted the challenge of maintaining accessible language while covering complex, and sometimes controversial, topics. They addressed this by inviting perspectives from their extensive networks of friends and colleagues to provide valuable feedback.

Ensuring Scientific Accuracy and Educational Effectiveness

The authors’ diverse backgrounds and substantial research and teaching experiences were instrumental in ensuring the scientific accuracy and educational effectiveness of their respective books. Fang and Casadevall mentioned the importance of applying the same standards of rigor and accuracy to their book as they do in their other scientific pursuits, making certain each chapter was meticulously researched and referenced. Summers’ teaching experience and historical analysis provided a solid foundation as he strove for both pedagogical effectiveness and scientific accuracy. Stevens, Ditty, Parales and Merkel conducted thorough literature reviews and sought advice from colleagues to verify information, while Wilson and Ho relied on peer-reviewed literature to back their content, ensuring it remained current and relevant.

Rewards and Takeaways

Authors often find the camaraderie and shared experience of writing a book to be among the most rewarding aspects, along with the opportunity to engage with their communities once the book has been published. Stevens, Ditty, Parales and Merkel highlighted the strengthening of their bonds during the project and the way the experience drove them to self-evaluate and improve their teaching. Wilson is a 2024 ASM Distinguished Lecturer and has enjoyed increased public speaking engagements and discussions related to the book. Summers appreciated the ease and simplicity of the project compared to his previous academic publications, whereas Fang and Casadevall noted that, “Writing this book has been one of the most rewarding projects of our professional careers. Not only has it been fun to collaborate, but the writing process has made us better scientists by forcing us to confront and think about important issues in science."



Ultimately, the hope is that these books will inspire and educate future generations of microbiologists, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the scientific world. Wilson called attention to the role books can play more broadly, noting “Although people can choose not to do science or be a scientist, they can no longer afford to ignore science. The world we live in requires a working knowledge of foundational microbiology concepts and a solid understanding of scientific literacy and the process of scientific inquiry.” As the Microbial Physiology team aptly put it, "We hope educators and students perceive and embrace our excitement and appreciation of the wonders of the microbial world."

Creating an ASM Press book is a collaborative, challenging and immensely rewarding process. Driven by a passion for microbiology and a commitment to education, authors bring together their expertise and experiences to produce high-quality, impactful resources. Whether they are textbooks, reference manuals, procedures handbooks or more general interest titles, these books not only honor the legacy of the field, but also expand and pave the way for future advancements in microbiology education and beyond.

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Do you have a book idea with the potential to become our next bestseller? Interested in adding author or editor to your CV? ASM Press publishes titles spanning the breadth of the microbial sciences.