Submitting Proposals
An acquisitions editor generally begins discussions with an author on the basis of a prospectus. If you are unsure whether your project fits the current focus of our editorial program, please don’t hesitate to call (416.441.2941) or e-mail us before submitting a prospectus.
Prospectus
A prospectus is comparable to a preface. It should outline the work’s perspective, purpose, and thesis, highlight its distinctive features, and identify its intended readership. Five to ten single-spaced pages should be enough to give reviewers a good idea of what you propose to do.
Points to be covered by the prospectus:
Table of Contents
The contents should be detailed, including not just chapter titles but all projected headings and sub-headings.
The Book
- Provide a brief but specific description of the ground to be covered. What points of view will be expressed?
- Identify all the book’s distinctive features and expand on the two or three that are the most critical.
- Are you the work’s only author ? If not, who are the other contributors, and what arrangements have been made with them?
- Size? Estimated number of words? If you are not able to supply a word count, tell us (approximately) how many double-spaced manuscript pages you intend to submit.
- What kind of illustrations (photos, line drawings, maps) will be included? How many of each?
- Tell us which of the following you plan to include: introduction, chapter objectives, questions, boxed inserts, cases, problems, summaries, conclusion, appendices, bibliography, glossary, index, supplements such as instructor’s manuals, teaching guides, test banks, and so forth?
- What are the current competing titles? Provide the title, author(s), publisher, and copyright date. For each, please describe their strengths and weaknesses.
- How does your work differ from the competition?
- Who are the authorities best qualified to review your material? Where can they be reached? Please provide complete addresses.
- What is the current status of the manuscript? When will it be completed? Is it on disk? If so, what software/system are you using?
The Market
- For what course(s) is the book intended? Please be specific.
- Is it primarily a review of the literature, or does it report a study?
- For what level is it intended?
- What does it demand from students?
- Is it a core resource or a supplemental reading?
Finally, please include a CV/résumé and sample chapters (if available).
If you have a manuscript or proposal you believe OUP should evaluate, please contact an editor.