A thoughtful prospectus and outline provides us with a general frame of reference for your work. Please review the proposal guidelines and share your vision with us. Once you have your prospectus ready, please follow our prospectus submission instructions.

The Book

1. Brief description: In one or two paragraphs describe the work, its approach and your purpose in writing such a text.
2. Outstanding features: List briefly what you consider to be outstanding or unique features of the work.
3. Pedagogical features: Will the book include summaries, examples, cases, questions, problems, etc.?
4. Ideas for supplements: For instructors or students.
5. Level: For whom is the book intended and what is the level? What are the student prerequisites, if any?
6. Reviews: Has the material been class-tested? If not, will it be?

Your Background

1. Please provide a description of your background, relevant professional activities, number of times you have taught this course, and other writing experience.
2. Please attach a copy of your vita.
3. Do you have other writing plans when this project is complete?

The Competition

1. Top three books in the field: How does your book compare and/or contrast with them? Please discuss each competing book in a separate paragraph. Include author, title, publisher, publication date, length, and price (if known).
2. Please focus on comparing topical coverage, organization, level, writing style, art program, pedagogy, and any other relevant similarities and differences between your project and the competing books.
3. Be frank: This information is written for reviewers, providing them with a comparative framework and should accurately reflect your views.
4. Are you aware of any similar works in progress but unpublished?

The Market

1. What is the primary course for which the book is intended? What other courses would it serve? Would the work be appropriate for international, high school, or trade markets?
2. What is your expectation of the size of the market?
3. If you have done any market research of your own, we would appreciate receiving a brief summary of your findings.

The Outline

1. The outline provides an overview of the entire work. It is a road map guiding both the reviewer and the publisher along your specific point of view.
2. Chapter heads should be followed by subheads that explain the content at a greater level of detail.
3. Paragraphs should be used as needed to clarify the outline.
4. If revision of the sample material is requested, always provide a revised outline.

Sample Chapters

The sample chapters should illustrate the strongest and most distinctive aspects of your work.

1. It is best to submit three chapters. Fewer may leave the reviewer in doubt and the entire manuscript tends to overwhelm the reviewer.
2. Selected chapters should include what best represents your work's basic idea, its quality, and distinctive features. Do not include the introductory chapter. These chapters do not need to be in sequence.
3. The selected material does not need any illustrations other than rough pencil sketches; remember that the reviewers are your peers and will quickly understand a brief suggestion of an illustration. At the same time, it is crucial to have the suggested illustrations integrated with the manuscript.
4. Prepare the material carefully. If the manuscript is full of typographical or grammatical errors, the reviewers' attention will be diverted from the more important consideration of content.
5. If your manuscript features problems or exercises, please include some samples.

Additional Information

Final pieces of information to round out the proposal.

1. What schedule of completion do you have in mind for your book?
2. What will be the approximate length of your work? Please state whether your estimate is in book or manuscript pages. If dealing in manuscript pages, please describe length in terms of 81/2" X 11" double spaced pages.
3. What kind of art or design program is needed for your book? What is the estimated number of line drawings and photographs? (Please look at competing books for a frame of reference.)
4. Is the manuscript being prepared on word processing equipment? Some manuscripts can be electronically typeset directly from disk. Please describe the equipment you are using.
5. Please list the names and affiliations of qualified reviewers who could be asked to analyze the work.
6. Do you have any other questions or comments?