Q. I thought at one point it was considered bad taste to include an author’s title on the front cover of a book (Steve Smith, PhD). But now I am wondering if that is the case. Any input? Is it just an individual decision?
A. It depends. It’s unwarranted in scholarly writing, but if a book is for a mass audience and the degree gives potential readers an idea of the writer’s qualifications, some publishers will want it stated: for instance, on a diet book written by a doctor, or a book on orchids written by a botanist. The author and editor should consult with the publisher’s marketing department to decide what’s best.