and Evolution
A Pocket Guide to Scientific Writing and Publishing bu Mart铆n A. Nu帽ez
For Associate Professor Mart铆n N煤帽ez, scientific writing isn鈥檛 just a skill鈥攊t is a cornerstone of good science. And after two decades of research, publishing, and mentoring students, he has authored the book he wishes he had had from the start.
Published this August, A Pocket Guide to Scientific Writing and Publishing distills N煤帽ez鈥檚 experience as both an author and an editor into an accessible, pragmatic resource for students and early-career scientists.
鈥淭his is the book I needed 20 years ago,鈥� said N煤帽ez, who teaches in the Department of Biology and Biochemistry. 鈥淪cientific writing is fundamental to what we do鈥攂ut it is often taught through trial and error. I wanted to offer something clear, useful, and empowering.鈥�
The pocket-sized guide offers students more than grammar tips and formatting suggestions. N煤帽ez walks readers through the full publishing pipeline鈥攆rom crafting the first draft to handling peer review and rejection. His goal is to demystify the process and help young scientists find their voice.
鈥淲riting is a creative process, but that doesn鈥檛 mean you have to wait around for inspiration,鈥� N煤帽ez said. 鈥淭here are tools, structures and habits that make it easier. Once you understand those, the blank page is not so intimidating.鈥�
A seasoned ecologist with more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and thousands of citations on Google Scholar, N煤帽ez brings firsthand experience from both sides of the academic publishing world. As an editor for multiple journals, he has seen the challenges young researchers face鈥攅specially those navigating the process in a second language.
鈥淢any smart students struggle not because they don鈥檛 have good ideas or data, but because they don鈥檛 know how to communicate with them effectively,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his book is a way to help level the playing field.鈥�
The guide also includes advice on collaborating with co-authors, responding to reviewers, and understanding the editorial process鈥攖opics N煤帽ez says are often overlooked in graduate training. 鈥淧ublishing is not just about writing. It is about strategy, timing, and resilience.鈥�
Although the content is serious, the book is designed to be approachable. N煤帽ez worked closely with a designer to create a clean, visual layout and includes illustrations to make key concepts more digestible. 鈥淚 want this to be the kind of book students aren鈥檛 afraid to carry around or annotate.鈥�
When asked what he hopes readers will do after finishing the guide, his answer was simple: 鈥淚 want them to feel ready. Ready to write, to submit, and to share their science.鈥�
For more information about A Pocket Guide to Scientific Writing and Publishing, visit www.mnrdpublishing.com.
- Kristoffer Smith, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics