Preparation of Book Proposals
Proposals should be in the region of 10 pages.
When proposing a book to us, we would appreciate a proposal structured in the following way:
Title
Although provisional at this stage, a good title is vital for the marketing of your book. The main title should be short, clear and informative and may be followed by an explanatory sub-title.
Author (s)
Please include your affiliation.
Headline
Please summarise your book pithily and to command attention in no more than 15 words.
Pitch
Please provide a short, one paragraph (100-150-word) description of your book which summarises in plain English in the present tense the main purpose of your book and its benefits to your reader. Please avoid clichés and often-used words (e.g. ‘accessible’, ‘comprehensive’, ‘path-breaking’, ‘original’, ‘ground-breaking’. You may like to pose some questions which the book answers; and to address your reader.
Key Features and Benefits
Please provide 3-4 features which clearly describe the distinctive qualities and benefits of your book, e.g. ‘10 case studies explaining gender and sexualisation within comics’; ‘Sets out an innovative agenda for illustrative media which will open new avenues for research’.
Keywords
Please provide a brief list of keywords which are relevant to your book and which would be primary search terms in a database (e.g. ‘interactive media’, ‘illustrative media’, ‘interactive fiction’, ‘comic art’, ‘super hero’, ‘gaming’, ‘female in danger’, ‘violence’).
Short synopsis of the aims, scope, argument and approach of the book
- The subject area and the way you will approach and present the topics should be stated clearly and a clear impression of the overall structure and level should be provided.
- What themes, concepts and ideas will be developed?
- What depth of coverage will you be offering?
- What will be included and what will be left out (and why)?
Chapter-by-chapter description of content and form
This should include a list of chapters as well as main sub-headings, where appropriate. A paragraph outlining the content of each chapter should also be provided along with an estimated word count for each chapter.
Please include at the end of each chapter description a note of the key authors, texts, case studies or examples which will be covered.
Category of book and readership level
Please specify into which category your book primarily falls:
Trade Book:
a book of general interest available through an ordinary book dealer, as distinguished from a limited-edition book or textbook.
Textbook:
the book will introduce or synthesise (and may also intervene in relevant ways in) a subject area aimed at students with little or no prior knowledge of the subject. It will be a required purchase for all students on a recognised course across a range of institutions.
Scholarly monograph:
suitable for academics and researchers in the field. A monograph will be based on original scholarly research and make a notable contribution to the subject.
Reference work:
a dictionary, companion or encyclopaedia for students and researchers at all levels. This type of book should collect together, summarise, define or significantly add to information in one topic area.
Market & Readership
- What markets will your book reach (within and outside the North America)?
- Please define your primary readerships.
- Please list the subject area(s) and examples of courses for which the book will be appropriate. If your proposed book is a textbook, please supply information about the courses on which it is likely to be adopted (e.g. institution; title of course; number of students).
Competition
Please list competing publications, including details of author(s), title, publisher, date of publication, and price, and comment on what distinguishes your book from the competition.
Word count
This should include any preface, acknowledgements, notes, bibliography and appendices although not the index.
Writing schedule to delivery of complete typescript
Please indicate when you expect realistically and confidently to be able to deliver a complete and final typescript. Please include a writing schedule.
Sample material
Please supply a sample chapter or published material related to your proposed book. (NB: if this is your first authored book a sample chapter is required.)
CV
This should include a list of relevant publications, full postal address, contact numbers and email address.
Readers
Please provide the names and of specialist readers whose opinion of the proposal we might seek.
Edited Collections
If you are proposing an edited collection the following information is also required:
- Names and affiliations of suggested contributors and a note of whether they have agreed to contribute.
- Chapter title and chapter synopses for each proposed chapter.
- A description of the quality control and editing procedures that will be adopted?
Books with Illustrations
If you wish to propose essential illustrations to accompany the text, please specify types (e.g. photographs, maps, diagrams, graphs, charts, figures and tables), the number to be included in each chapter and the availability of financial resources to cover the costs of any copyright permissions.
Reproducing Material in Copyright
If you plan to include in your book material in copyright which will require permissions (e.g. substantial prose extracts), please indicate in your proposal whether you have: i) cleared and paid for the necessary permissions; or: ii) have access to funds in order to do so.
These details will help us to review your proposal promptly.
Marketing and Distribution of Your Book
NUADA Press publishing programme is supported by worldwide sales and marketing, incorporating the best of digital and print promotion.
Worldwide representation
Our network of sales reps and agents will ensure that your book is as widely promoted as possible. Their activities include selling your book directly to bookshops, wholesalers and library suppliers and promoting it through local catalogue, leaflet and e-mailings.
Catalogues
Your book will appear first of all in our New Titles catalogue, mailed regularly to booksellers University Departments and libraries. Your book will also feature in appropriate annual subject catalogues, sent to academics, booksellers, libraries and individuals and to our reps and agents.
Flyers, leaflets and advertising
We carry out specific leaflet campaigns for certain series and areas of interest, as well as advertising in academic journals, conference programmes and other relevant publications. We are happy to produce flyers to help you promote your book to friends and colleagues, or at conferences.
Review copies
Building on recommendations from your Author Promotion Form, we will send review copies to a targeted list of potential reviewers. We will forward any published reviews to you as we receive them.
Textbooks
For books with adoption potential we research current courses and offer inspection copies to course leaders. We appreciate your input on colleagues teaching appropriate courses.
Conferences and trade fairs
We attend a variety of conferences where we display and sell appropriate books. We may also arrange for leaflets or catalogues to be inserted in delegate packs.
E-marketing
We will promote your book on our own website, as well as via our local agent websites. Email marketing may include selected announcements to news groups and targeted announcements to North American and European customers.
Online retailers
All of our books are made available through the major internet booksellers, including
Amazon.ca, CHAPTERS and Amazon.com. The majority of our books are also submitted for Amazon Search Inside and Google Book Search on publication.
