title: You've Got Some Explaining To Do: Advice for Neuroscientists Writing for Lay Readers
author: Jane Nevins
description: <DIV>One of the great challenges we face as brain scientists is to explain our research to the general public in a way that is at once accurate and lucid, completely understandable, and as interesting to the non-professional reader. This is not an easy task, and no one is better at helping one learn to write for the non-professional public, as I can personally testify, than Jane Nevins. I was therefore thrilled to see that she spelled out her experience in a marvelous book: Youve Got Some Explaining To Do. This book is the Strunk and White for the brain scientist of the 21st century. A must read and a pleasure to read. Dont simply walk, run out and get your copy. Nobel laureate Eric R. Kandel, M.D., Director, Kavli Institute for Brain Science, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons<BR></DIV><br /><br /><DIV>"Jane Nevins observes that 'The Times are good to write about the brain' but also that 'it is hard for scientists to write for lay readers.' If you are ready to present your latest success in the saga of your science, then let this very wise editor guide you from a 'continually compelling concept' to a final product that will leave your reader inspired and hungry for more." Floyd E. Bloom, M.D., Professor Emeritus, The Scripps Research Institute</DIV><br /><br /><DIV>"This brief, pithy, and witty booklet is full of useful information and advice that will help neuroscientists write better books for a broad range of lay readers. Jane Nevins has been guiding them for years, and her wisdom and experience will give future authors a brilliant guiding light." Nancy C. Andreasen, M.D., Ph.D., Andrews H. Woods Chair of Psychiatry, The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics</DIV><br /><br /><DIV>"Nevins distills many years of experience to offer a genuinely useful guide to communicating science. She practices what she preaches! She speaks directly, with a clear voice, avoiding jargon and focusing on what her reader needs to know. Simple fixes promise to unclutter writing and liberate the would-be writer to hold a real conversation with the reader. Without question for me, the lessons here will help improve thinking as well as improve readership!"  Paul Matthews, Professor of Clinical Neuroscience, Imperial College London and co-author, The Bard on the Brain<BR></DIV>
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  Begin Reading
  Table of Contents
  About the Author
  Copyright Page
   
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  To my fabulous editor, Monique. For liking things a little bit crazy.
  
   
  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
  Once again I’d like to thank my agent, Helen Breitweiser, for all the good work she does. My family
  for all the work they do in supporting me. The usual suspects for supporting my neuroses. And my
  readers, for getting 