I once read that people have more respect for someone who has published a book than someone with a Ph.D. I don’t understand why, but I agree that’s what many folks think.
In fact, I’ll go one step further and state that publishing aside, people have more respect for someone who has written a book than someone with a Ph.D.
As a person with two PhDs, this disheartens me.
It also makes no sense. One aspect of completing a Ph.D. is writing a dissertation, a book-length treatise. Plus, a dissertation is much more difficult to write than most other books because of the grueling research and the requirement to meet detailed expectations with painstaking precision. Even after all the research, writing, and revisions, simply following the tedious format and presentation requirements requires countless hours more.
Yet the reality remains thathaving your name on the front of a book means more to most people than having the letters Ph.D. after your name. Go figure.
So, if you’ve ever thought about earning a Ph.D. save yourself the time; you might be better off to publish a book instead.
Learn more about writing and publishing in Peter’s book: Successful Author FAQs: Discover the Art of Writing, the Business of Publishing, and the Joy of Wielding Words. Get your copy today.
Peter Lyle DeHaan is an author, blogger, and publisher with over 30 years of writing and publishing experience. Check out his book Successful Author FAQs for insider tips and insights.