conference paper is like a journal paper, only it's not so perfect - coz ideally you are presenting it to get views on how to improve it. in the real world tho, it is expected that it is ready for publication.
oh, does publishing an article in a book, diminish the originality of your thesis as opposed to a stand alone article? they are offering to publish our articles.
i just did some 600 words.... hopefully more tomorrow. 6000 is the target.