4. Overview
• Some background
• The key issues for publishers and authors.
• What commissioning editors are looking for.
• Identifying suitable publishers for your work.
• Preparing a publication proposal.
• The publishing process.
• Top tips.
5. Some Background
• Publishing is a business – will this book sell?
• But also critical are quality, reliability and reputation.
• All these factors are in play when a proposal is
assessed by a commissioning editor - they can’t bury
their mistakes!
6. Is it a book?
• How time sensitive is it?
• Is it very specialist or narrowly focussed?
• Is it more appropriate for a journal, an internal
publication, specialist society publication, or a
conference paper?
• Does it tell a story?
7. Making plans
• Discuss with colleagues and those who have
published in the field
– what experiences have they had with various
publishers?
– who would they recommend?
– can they give you contact names?
• Carry out online research on Amazon – what other
books are there in the field?
8. Which publisher?
• Look at a company’s list… will your book fit?
• Remember that size isn’t everything
• Do they have an appropriate series?
• How international is the work and its audience?
• Do you want your book to be marketed internationally? If
so, consider the publisher’s international sales network.
9. Consult directories like the
Directory of Publishing
(published annually by Continuum and the Publishers
Association) or
The Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook (A& C Black)
10. And then…
• Draw up a short list and prioritise
• Think very carefully before sending multiple copies
out. If you do, tell the publisher
• Send your proposal to a named individual – it may
get lost otherwise. Email is preferable.
• Make it easy for the commissioning editor to
contact you.
• Be patient!
11. Book proposals
The book proposal will identify:
• the subject particulars of the book
• who you are writing for
• how you intend to structure your book
• what your book will offer that others do not.
• what your book will DO for the reader
12. Proposals
• A good proposal should be concise and to the
point.
• Don’t assume the editor is the expert on the topic
– make your copy accessible.
• The market is just as important as the content.
• An editor will have other people within the
business to persuade, so keep content realistic and
market focused.
13. A proposal should contain:
1. A brilliant title/subtitle
2. About the author/s or editors.
• Include biographical details. Why are you qualified to
write this?
3. Synopsis.
• Keep it brief – 300 to 500 words.
4. Proposed contents list.
• Be as detailed as possible.
5. The readership and market.
• Who? Where are they? How many of them are there?
14. 6. The competition.
• Be as detailed as possible. Give brief assessments of other titles.
Explain why your book is better/different
7. Size and format of book. Illustrations?
8. Timescale.
9. Other contributors.
10. Other relevant information. Permissions? Conference
tie-in?
11. Provide a single sample chapter, or draft material if you
have it. (not essential)
15. The publishing process
1. Commissioning editor assesses initial proposal.
Reviewers’ comments sought
2. Development and shaping of the proposal by
author if necessary.
3. Further external reviewing if necessary
16. 4. Formal presentation to the Editorial Board by the
Commissioning Editor
5. If approved, the author is offered contract.
Schedule and detail of book are agreed
6. Marketing and cataloguing activities commence
7. Author and Editor liaise, sample material may be
assessed as the book progresses
8. Final manuscript is read/reviewed
17. 9. Cover design is commissioned and cover
copy prepared for author to approve
10. Manuscript is copy edited and queries referred
to author
11. Manuscript is designed and typeset
12. Author and professional proof-reader check
proofs. Index is prepared.
13. Publication.
14. Active sales commences; press copies are sent
out, marketing continues.
18. Top tips for success:
Prepare to be flexible.
Take external reviewers’ comments on board if appropriate.
Don’t send a full manuscript or notes asking for
‘any ideas or advice’.
Appreciate the symbiotic relationship between editor and
author.
Don’t suggest the book will ‘appeal to general reader’ .
Be realistic about your book’s appeal.
Think hard about your timescale.
19. Contacts at Routledge
Education (UK)
• Anna Clarkson, Editorial Director
• Educational Leadership, Management & Administration, Educational Foundations,
anna.clarkson@tandf.co.uk
• Philip Mudd, Publisher
• Higher Education, Adult Education/Lifelong Learning & Research Methods (Global)
philip.mudd@tandf.co.uk
• Alison Foyle, Publisher
• Special Educational Needs; Literacy; Childhood Studies; Early Years alison.foyle@tandf.co.uk
• Bruce Roberts, Publisher
• David Fulton Primary Education & Routledge Educational Psychology bruce.roberts@tandf.co.uk
• Annamarie Kino-Wylam, Commissioning Editor (David Fulton Books)
• David Fulton - Early Years, Secondary Education, Education Studies, Teaching Assistants
annamarie.kino@tandf.co.uk
• Suzanne Richardson, Commissioning Editor (Routledge)
• Routledge Primary Education, Secondary Education & Education Studies Textbooks
suzanne.richardson@tandf.co.uk
