Working with Publishers

The Dreaded Copy Edits

Unless you are a copyeditor, it’s difficult to know what it is they do and how they read a text. It’s also easy to feel as if the copy edits on your manuscript are a personal attack. This post gives you the inside scoop on the function of a copyeditor and why they probably aren’t out to radically change your manuscript or undermine your work.

Covers and Titles: Tips for Academic Authors from a Book Designer

What does the design process of a book cover entail? Get a peek behind the scenes in this interview with a book designer for an academic press, including tips for authors to think about as they navigate the publication process.

How to Talk to an Acquisitions Editor and What Questions to Ask

Speaking about your research to a complete stranger can feel daunting, especially if that stranger is an acquisitions editor. Here are some tips for reframing how you think about the introductory conversation and some questions to ask while you’re there.

How to Field Offers from Multiple Scholarly Publishers

You’ve written the book proposal, now how do you secure a contract? This post walks you through the experience of submitting an academic proposal to multiple presses and what to expect at this stage. It also gives a behind the scene look at how I fielded multiple offers and decided on the best publisher for my book.

How to Get Interest from Publishers Before Your Book Is Even Written

An idea for a book can come from anything—even something you’re working on right now. Find out how The Book Proposal Book grew from an idea into a book project that received interest from multiple university press editors.

How to Write a Response to Reader Reports after Peer Review

How should you respond to the reader reports from your academic book manuscript or book proposal after going through peer review? This post demystifies common misconceptions about the power of the reviewers and advice on how to craft the response letter, including a template you can start from.

Can You Submit Your Book Proposal to Multiple Presses?

What are the advantages of submitting your book proposal to multiple presses? Here are some things to consider as you try to identify the best press to publish your academic book.

7 Mistakes I Made When I Published my First Academic Book

Navigating academic book publishing can be downright overwhelming for authors. I share my experience and insight into this process so that you can avoid making the same mistakes I did the first time around.

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