Credit for Self Published Tech Manuals

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by proracer, Aug 12, 2008.

Loading...
  1. proracer

    proracer Member

    I have written four technical manuals. These manuals are on the fuel injection system and the electrical systems on the Porsche 911.

    The manuals are currently for sale on Ebay. I have sold over 600 copies.

    Can I get college credit for these manuals?

    What schools are willing to review this type of work?

    Thanks, Jim
     
  2. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

  3. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    OK, I'll take a shot.

    What can I say about a self-published manual on an unfamiliar subject, and without ever having seen the manual?

    600 copies is not a lot of copies. Is there anything about this work that will convince a school that you wrote this from your own personal knowledge (as opposed to a simple cut and paste job). If they're so good, why did you need to self-publish?

    If you want portfolio credit then the process is clear. Look to the big three.
    I'd like to be more positive but there are so many technical manuals around that it might be hard for you to convince someone that yours is so new and different that it constitutes a truly new personal effort.
     
  4. proracer

    proracer Member

    I can see your point. Self published because it is cheap. There are a lot of manuals around. You are right.....but in reality....whose is to say that any book is not ....cut and paste. I am prepared to defend my work!

    Thanks for just jumping in......

    Jim
     
  5. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    >>

    Jim,
    I have a similar situation where I self published a book to be used in a community ed class. It started as a handout, then a packet, and eventually grew so fat that I rewrote it into a free standing book to be sold at the course. I used a self-publishing company (Trafford), which means I have an ISBN, copyrights, and it looks pretty :) I have only sold 250 copies, but mine isn't "for sale." That said, I think it would be a bunch of work to make a case for a lousy 3 credits. PLAs are not simple, they can be very complex. In this case, Technical Writing is available as a DSST test, I'd just take the test and move on.

    On the other hand, if you intend on using writing/journalism/English as your major- you'll need a lot of credits that are not available through testing- in that case, I'd say go for it.
     
  6. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    Hi Jim - Honestly, I know nothing about this. I just asked a few questions that seemed to be common sense. I did it because if you're asking a legitimate school to give you credits for your work then you can expect them to ask the same questions (although they'll probably be more precise and expect nice clear, convincing answers).

    I could write a manual (after all, welding is such a fascinating subject). But I'm not sure that I could convince anyone that I had actually written anything new. Maybe it would be like writing a geometry textbook. Nothing new for quite a few hundred years. How do you convince anyone that it's worthy of publication? I don't know. Reworking old material. New examples. New exercises.

    I just think that you'll need to be prepared to answer the inevitable questions.
     
  7. proracer

    proracer Member

    Jennifer, Sounds like a good idea!

    Jim
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 13, 2008
  8. proracer

    proracer Member

    Kizmet,

    Maybe taking the course or testing out would be the best idea.

    Thanks, Jim
     

Share This Page