The following is a summary of the sort of information we and our reviewers need when evaluating a proposal for a new book. The aim is to give rough guidelines on the features that should be covered and the appropriate amount of detail to include. You can either prepare your own document, or else download and complete the proposal form and send to the relevant contact listed on the right.

1. THE OUTLINE

1.1 Working title

Choose a title that is as explicit as possible

1.2 Aims and scope

Why is the book being written? Why is it needed? What will it cover? How much detail will it include? What is special about the style? What is special about the approach? What is special about the selection of editors? This section is the heart of the proposal and should normally be between 2,000 - 3,000 words in legth.

1.3 Target market

State the group for whom the book is intended, and add any group for whom it may be relevant. Any statistics known to you on the size of the target market will be welcomed.

1.4 Contents

List the chapters in the sequence they will appear. Show how many words you expect for each.

Devote about 30-100 words to each chapter to spell out what it should cover, either through a synopsis or by listing headings and subheadings.

In the case of a very large project - a textbook of 20 or more chapters, for instance, you should normally have discussions with the publisher on the basis of a much less detailed overview of contents before embarking on this amount of description.

1.5 Approximate number of words

You may find it helpful to think in terms of the number of typewritten pages you think the completed book will occupy, or the number of pages it will run to when typeset , using an existing book as a rough guide. You can arrive at the total extent by multiplying the number of pages by the number of words on whatever typical page you are using.

1.6 Illustrations and tables

Give a brief description of the content and purpose of the illustrations and tables and estimate roughly what proportion of the whole book you think they will make up. A sentence should normally cover this amply.

1.7 Feedback from reviwers

Do be prepared to rework the outline at a later stage in the light of feedback you may receive from editorial and our reviewers.

2. Competing/complementary books

To supplement the description of the aims and scope of your proposal, list on a separate sheet or sheets other titles on the same subject as your proposed book, including any you believe to be in preparation. Give the usual publication details, including the price, year of publication, number of pages each, and note in a few sentences how your book would differ from it. Not only will it demonstrate that your knowledge of the literature is complete, but will also greatly help give a clear picture of what you want to achieve with your book.

3. Author(s) or Editor(s)

List on a separate sheet or sheets the names and appointments for the author(s) or contributor(s) or intended contributor(s), showing who is writing what. We do not normally reveal the list of potential authors or editors to our reviewers without first asking their permission. It is normaly preferable if the names of authors or editors are not shown on the outline itself.

A very brief curriculum vitae of each of the editors, or the authors if it is not an edited work, with a bibliography of published work, can be helpful. These details will not be seen by our reviewers.

Note that it is advisable not to approach contributors, unless on a very tentative and informal scale before we invite you to do so. Until then, we are happy to regard the list of contributors as provisional.

4. Sample Chapter

Be prepared to produce a sample chapter (or part of a chapter) of around 3,000 - 4,000 words or if asked, to show the level, approach and style of writing of the whole book. We, or our reviewers, may select a particular chapter we would like to see. If so, we shall ask you for this. in the case of textbooks, more than one sample chapter may be needed.

Once your proposal is completed, consult the relevant publishing section for the contact details where to post, fax or email your submission.