General Rules for Writing

Construct your language so that it conveys your assertive authorial voice

Avoid:

• Passive verbs
• Lack of actions, over-reliance on "be"
• Nominalization of verbs

Write a compelling proposal

Your idea is only part of what they're looking for; they're looking at whether you can write and communicate well—the value of good writing, even in the proposal, cannot be overstated. Show that you can write for a particular audience—in this case, the publisher.

Pieces of a good proposal:

• Query letter
• Prospectus
• Brief description or abstract
• Description of the market—be realistic and don’t overstate it (this shows that you understand the field)
• Annotated (50-75 words) outline (note: don’t use flowery titles or subtitles)
• Description of how the work relates to other volumes, presses, etc.
• Status of manuscript and components:
• Length in terms of words not pages
• Timeline for finishing that is realistic
• Style in which notes are done
• Illustrations rights

General Rules for Interacting with Publishers

Do’s

• Write on interesting, broader topics (world-cultural material is a plus!)
• Articulate the implications of your research
• Make sure your manuscript is well-written and clean
• Be engaged, knowledgeable, and involved in your field
• Be a professional who meets deadlines—this is vital!

Don’ts

• Screw up their formatting rules, etc.
• Forget to follow up in 4-6 weeks
• Make surprise phone calls or visits
• Bring full mss to conferences—even on a flash drive (it will end up in the trash)

Approach the publisher intelligently

• Before you approach, focus your options ahead of time to a narrow list
• Keep in mind: they are looking for reasons to say no, so don’t give them any!!!!!
• Know your audience:
• Avoid jargon and phrase things for a non-specialist
• Make the argument that there is a good fit between you and this particular publisher

Develop an “elevator pitch”:

• What you're doing
• Why it matters
• Why you're the scholar who can accomplish that
• Develop and practice it ahead of time

When to approach:

• When you have an idea; you know what you want to do
• When you have a partially written manuscript
• If you have an annotated table of contents

How to approach:

• Email works for initial inquiries; a more formal letter is better (shows you can write)
• Make sure you send them to the right editor
• If you can send it electronically or print, send it electronically (it's easier for them)
• Don't submit a draft; write it as well as you possibly can
• If the encounter is in person, be attentive to body language, volume, expression, etc., and don’t “data dump”—engage in conversation

Submitting to multiple publishers is fine, but

• Tell the publisher you've done that
• Once one says they want to see the manuscript, stick with one, and rescind the others

Once it is submitted:

• You have to maintain communication lines
• If they give you concrete suggestions for revision, they are not just stringing you along