Hi, I need an advice if anybody can kindly help me with it. About 2 years back I wrote a chapter in an edited collection. Working in close contact with the editor was a learning experience for me. She checked my draft twice before sending it off to the peer reviewers. In a sense I developed a good academic relationship with the editor as she offered that I can freely ask her for any information or guidance if I need any help regarding my work. On and off I have been in touch with her. About 6 months back I emailed her and asked her about possible publication venues. She shared with me about a conference that she was organizing and offered if I also wanted to send a paper. Before working on it, I checked with the funding organizations in my country (in a developing world) if they could finance my travel costs. But in vein, the answer was a straight 'no' since social sciences is not really encouraged here. I wrote back to her and declined therefore. Now after all this time, I was just looking at my abstract and few of the sub sections that I wrote in it. It seems that this work has the potential to go in a journal. I am done with 2100 words (mostly narratives from my field data). I wish to contact her if she can help me in terms of guidance as to how to frame my paper within the literature on ageing (since the paper is on the role of caring for the elderly population). I need this help from her because her core area of expertise is in ageing, and my work on the other hand frames and approaches this aspect from the post colonial perspective. What I am unable to make sense of is: is it okay to contact her for guidance on literature on ageing that I can specifically use? Or shall I ask her if she is interested in becoming a co-author? Which is also just fine with me as she is a Reader and very generous in terms of sharing her work. I also think that do you think I shouldn't approach her as she might think of me as a parasite on her? I really wish to work with her but I don’t know if it’s right and if it’s okay then how should I approach her in the email?

Looking forward to any piece of advice coming from your experience
Thanks

Does anyone have any advice for Iman?

Iman, have learnt that politeness can take you miles away. If I were you I would contact her, asking her what she thinks about your work. Depending on her answer you act accordingly. If she is truly positive, ask her if she would like to co-author with you. Even if she is not willing to co-author (she may say that she is too busy or something) at least you show her that you respect her as a colleague and you value her opinions. Just remember the proverb: if you don't ask, you don't get! Good luck my friend!

I agree with marasp. This is someone who sounds like they would be receptive, so you should ask. In academia, I don't think shrinking violets gets very far. As long as you are polite and humble, you can't go far wrong.

Thanks marasp for your response. Its certainly helpful!

Thanks DocInsanity. I feel confident to write an email now!

regards iman