Publishing a senior thesis on the F-5 mandolin...

**forrestoconnor** · Nov-11-2010, 11:37pm

Hi everyone,

Last year, as a college senior, I wrote a thesis on the F-5 mandolin and, more generally, the art/science of luthiery. I spent a fair amount of time with Lynn Dudenbostel and Bill Collings, studying two quite different approaches to building mandolins. I've thought about trying to publish the thesis (about 100 pages), or at least a part of it (say, in a journal).

If you have any suggestions for publishers, magazines, journals, etc. who/that might be interested in either publishing such a document or at least writing about it, please let me know! Thanks in advance for your help.

Best regards,
Forrest O'Connor
Cambridge, MA

**Mattg** · Nov-12-2010, 2:36pm

Perhaps the Fretboard Journel.

There is a current thread on the journel in this catagory

**Jim DeSalvio** · Nov-12-2010, 4:09pm

Fretboard Journal was the first thing that popped into my mind too. If there is anyone with an interest in something like this, it would be those folks.

And.....if you ever decide to share it with the general public, please let us know. I would love to read it.

**JEStanek** · Nov-12-2010, 5:07pm

The Journal has done full articles on both Bill Collings and Lynn Dudenbostel. They might be interested in part of it. Even with their lengthy articles, I wouldn't count on much of your paper making it to a final Journal article (in any journal for that matter). If your thesis is kept in your school's library, you could publish that information here, or you could post in on a file sharing service if you want people to read it (assuming you aren't looking to get paid).

Jamie

**billhay4** · Nov-12-2010, 6:20pm

GAL's "American Lutherie"?
Bill

**forrestoconnor** · Nov-22-2010, 7:26pm

Hi everyone, thank you for your suggestions! I have gotten in touch with the Fretboard Journal and will also reach out to American Lutherie.

**Markus** · Nov-22-2010, 8:26pm

Let us know when you put it out, I too would love to read it and learn more.

**Josh Kaplan** · Nov-22-2010, 9:43pm

As part of my day job, I have advised many senior theses. The trouble with a 100-page thesis is that it is too short to be a book and too long to be an article. To turn it into a publishable article, focus on the most interesting thing you discovered and want to share. Identify the insight that's illustrated by the contrast between the two approaches you’ve identified, either in terms of design or production. 100 pages just turns out to be an awkward length for publishers. Photos will help, too.

I wish one of my students would write about mandolins!

Josh

**Jim Ferguson** · Nov-22-2010, 9:49pm

Very interesting Forrest. As stated by others, I would be keen on reading parts/all of your thesis. I agree with Josh, however, 100 pages is not going to attract many journals. Find a unique angle, an interesting slant among the many you no doubt have in the thesis already & expand on that one area of interest to get your article. I bet you'll have a heck of a story to tell.
Best of luck with it.
Peace,
Jim