Writing Collaboratively

Collaborative writing is defined as scholarship (intensive research and study on a particular topic that produces written work) that is conceptualized, designed, and/or written by more than one author. In the 20th century, rates of collaborative scholarship in academic journals grew at a steady pace in higher education, and currently, joint authorship is more normative than single authorship in a wide variety of academic disciplines, including the natural sciences, computing, psychology, social work, and library science. In the most practical terms, collaborative scholarship can provide opportunities for professional socialization, personal advancement, and career development. Partnering with others provides a team of authors with an avenue to generate new ideas, solve problems, and increase scholarly productivity. This chapter provides an overview of the collaborative writing process, exploring the features, benefits, and challenges of collaborative scholarship. Also included are strategies for pursuing and developing co-authored projects, and tips for successful collaboration.