David M. Perry, "The Public Scholar: A Practical Handbook" (JHU Press, 2026)

In this episode of the New Books Network, host discusses David M. Perry's new book, 'The Public Scholar: A Practical Handbook,' with Perry, a former academic historian turned freelance journalist and public scholar. Perry shares his journey from a tenured faculty position to a staff role with a day job, allowing him to pursue writing as a sustainable side career. He outlines four foundational principles for public writing: moving quickly in response to news cycles, accepting loss of control over one's work, writing broadly across personal and professional experiences, and embracing iterative, short-form writing. The conversation delves into practical advice on pitching, navigating pay, managing social media, and understanding different forms of public writing—from opinion essays and criticism to long-form nonfiction and journalism. Perry emphasizes that academic training offers valuable skills in distillation, audience awareness, and argumentation, but also warns against the narrowness instilled by graduate school. He argues that public scholarship is a vital social good, capable of shifting perspectives, informing policy, and even offering personal healing. The episode closes with Perry discussing his current projects, including a local column in the Star Tribune and a forthcoming book on masculinity and history. Key takeaways include: (1) Public writing thrives on speed and relevance—respond to news cycles quickly; (2) A strong pitch is concise (6–7 sentences), includes a clear argument, and respects the editor’s time; (3) You don’t need to be paid for every piece, but you should always ask for compensation; (4) Social media is a tool for building audience, but you are not obligated to engage with every comment or reader; (5) Teaching experience is a powerful training ground for public writing due to its constraints and audience-centered approach; (6) Academic rigor and public accessibility are not mutually exclusive—both have essential roles; (7) The impact of public writing is often incremental but deeply meaningful; (8) Writing about personal experiences—like mental health or disability policy—can resonate widely and create real change.