February 2013: Ramirez/Save Our Science

Advance copy: Backstories on books by NASW members

SAVE OUR SCIENCE: HOW TO INSPIRE A NEW GENERATION OF SCIENTISTS
Ainissa Ramirez
TED Books, Jan 28, 2013, $2.99
ISBN: 978-1-937382-29-2

Contact info:

Ainissa Ramirez, (201) 780-2401, ainissa@gmail.com, @blkgrlphd
Publicist: Courtney Hamilton, (646) 448-9925, ted@groupsjr.com
Agent: Laura Wood, (918) 745-2494, Laura@fineprintlit.com
Author website: http://www.ainissaramirez.com
Book website: http://www.ted.com/pages/tedbooks_library#AinissaRamirez

Ramirez writes:

Last year, I got an email from TED asking “was I ready to give the talk of my life?” First, I felt elation with the invitation to speak, and then fear. What was I going to talk about? After some reflection, it dawned on me that the most important talk of my life should not be about my research, but about why we need to improve every child’s access to fun and engaging science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). In my seven-minute TED talk, I showed that the 21st century needs students who can think expansively and solve problems resourcefully.

My passion has always been to get kids excited about science. A few months after the talk, I got an email from TED inviting me to consider writing a TED book. They wanted short, edgy tomes that would help move the needle on my topic. I spent some time researching other books on the topic, and explored what I could do or say that would be different. I noticed that lots of books never told the full story of how we got to where we are, and how we can change it. Most books talk about how poorly we are doing in STEM, and suggest high-level solutions. I wanted to provide solutions that anyone at any level could do.

In Save Our Science: How to Inspire a New Generation of Scientists, I spell out my plan for how to make science more fun again, and how to make sure that everyone has access to STEM educational opportunities. As one can imagine, science communication has a tremendous role in keeping the general audience curious about the workings of our wonderful world. In my estimation, nurturing creative problem-solvers with STEM equips the next generation for this brave new world, and is the best legacy we can leave.

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Deadline for March 2013 book column: February 25, 2013

To submit your book announcement, follow the above format. Include your name, phone number, and email address, along with contact information for your publicist and agent. Send your photo and an image of the book jacket.

Write 250-350 words to summarize your book’s contents. Tell how you developed your idea, researched the book, and wrote it. Include a little about the book’s route to publication. No press releases, please.

Send info to Lynne Lamberg, editor, New Books by NASW Members, llamberg@nasw.org.

Advance Copy

The path from idea to book may take myriad routes. The Advance Copy column, started in 2000 by NASW volunteer book editor Lynne Lamberg, features NASW authors telling the stories behind their books. Authors are asked to report how they got their idea, honed it into a proposal, found an agent and a publisher, funded and conducted their research, and organized their writing process. They also are asked to share what they wish they’d known when they started or would do differently next time, and what advice they can offer aspiring authors. Lamberg edits the authors’ answers to produce the Advance Copy reports.

NASW members: Will your book be published soon? Visit www.nasw.org/advance-copy-submission-guidelines for information on submitting your report.

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