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PROPOSAL FOR EDITED BOOK

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the essential steps for crafting and submitting a book proposal to SPJ Publications. For additional insights, you may also watch our informative video featuring our Commissioning Editor.

Choosing the Right Format for Your Book

Before writing your proposal, familiarize yourself with the various formats available at SPJ Publications. We accept both long and short-form projects:

  • Monographs: Traditional scholarly works ranging from 60,000 to 90,000 words that allow for an in-depth examination of a specialized topic. This can include authored monographs or edited collections featuring multiple contributors.

  • Book Series: We publish various series and welcome submissions in both long and short forms. It’s crucial to align your manuscript with the series’ aims and scope to increase acceptance chances.

  • SPJ Points: Short-form projects (30,000 to 50,000 words) ideal for timely responses to contemporary issues. This format promises a quick turnaround from submission to publication.

Structuring Your Proposal

Once you’ve selected the appropriate format, it’s time to develop your proposal. Here’s what you need to include:

  • Author Information: Provide your name, affiliation, contact details, and publication history. If collaborating, include co-authors’ information.

  • Book Details: Include a title, brief description, overall topic summary, and unique selling points.

  • Table of Contents: Offer a provisional table of contents with short chapter abstracts to illustrate the structure.

  • Market Analysis: Identify your target audience and any competing titles, explaining how your book stands out.

  • Format and Length: Specify expected word count, number of tables and figures, and any available sample material.

  • Sales and Marketing Support: Describe any strategies you may employ to promote the book.

  • Reviewer Recommendations: Suggest potential peer reviewers who are independent of your institution, as all proposals undergo blind peer review.

Detailed Instructions for Proposal Sections

Book Description

  • Keep your summary clear and jargon-free, ensuring it’s accessible to a broad audience.
  • Provide detailed chapter summaries to guide reviewers and editors on your argument’s development.
  • Address the significance of your work: its originality, practical implications, and potential for further research.
Market and Competition Analysis
  • Be realistic about your book’s marketability; every book has competition.
  • List competing titles and clarify your book’s unique contribution.

Title Selection

  • Choose a concise title that accurately reflects your content and differentiates your book from others in the market.
Best Practices for Proposal Writing
  • Clarity: Aim for simplicity in your writing. Structure your proposal so that key messages are easily digestible.
  • Paragraph Structure: Each paragraph should focus on a single idea, flowing logically from one sentence to the next.
  • Conciseness: Eliminate unnecessary words and avoid repetition to enhance readability.
  • Proofreading: Always proofread your proposal, allowing time between drafting and reviewing for a fresh perspective.
Tips for Non-Native English Speakers
  • Draft your proposal in English, focusing initially on ideas rather than grammar.
  • Familiarize yourself with writing in your field by reviewing existing publications.
  • Seek assistance from colleagues or consider professional editing services.
Advantages of Co-Authorship

Co-authorship fosters collaboration, enhances research quality, and opens doors to funding opportunities. Working with experienced colleagues can improve your manuscript and broaden its impact, but ensure that the final draft maintains a consistent voice.

Dos and Don’ts for Proposals

Do:

  • Summarize your main argument and present key conclusions.
  • Discuss the practical implications of your findings.
  • Highlight any limitations of your research.

Don’t:

  • Introduce new topics in your conclusion.
  • Make obvious or contradictory statements.
What Comes Next?

Once your proposal is submitted, it will undergo a review process. You will be notified of the outcome and any necessary revisions. For further questions or assistance, contact us at editor@spjinternational.co.

Proposal Form

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Frequently Asked Questions

An edited book is a collection of chapters written by different authors, curated and organized by one or more editors. It typically focuses on a specific theme or subject area.

To propose an edited book, you should submit a detailed proposal that includes an overview of the book’s theme, potential contributors, chapter outlines, and the target audience.

Your proposal should include:

  • Title: A concise and descriptive title.
  • Overview: A summary of the book’s purpose and significance.
  • Table of Contents: A provisional chapter list with brief descriptions.
  • Author Contributions: Information about potential contributors and their qualifications.
  • Market Analysis: A discussion of the target audience and competing titles.
  • Timeline: Estimated deadlines for manuscript submission and publication.

The number of chapters can vary, but typically an edited book contains 8 to 15 chapters. Consider the depth of coverage required for your theme.

Choose contributors based on their expertise in the subject area, previous publishing experience, and ability to provide unique perspectives that enhance the book's theme.

Editing a book can establish you as an expert in your field, expand your professional network, and provide opportunities for collaboration with other scholars.

As the editor, you will coordinate communication with authors, oversee the writing process, manage revisions, and ensure consistency in tone and style across chapters.

Typically, you will retain the rights to the content you edit, but this may vary based on your agreement with the publisher. Ensure to clarify these rights in your proposal.

The publication timeline can vary widely, depending on the publisher's schedule, the complexity of the book, and the responsiveness of contributors. It may take anywhere from several months to a couple of years.

Yes ! Royalties for edited volumes may differ from those of single-author books. It's essential to discuss and negotiate the terms of royalties and any financial arrangements with the publisher during the proposal stage.

Set clear expectations and deadlines in your initial communication. If contributors miss deadlines, you may need to adjust the timeline or find replacements, which can impact the overall publication schedule.

Yes, many editors include their contributions in the volume. Just ensure that this is disclosed to your publisher and fits well within the book’s overall structure.

Consider using academic networks, social media, conferences, and workshops to promote your book. Engaging with contributors to leverage their networks can also enhance visibility.

Your proposal will be reviewed by the publisher. They may request revisions or additional information before making a final decision. If accepted, you’ll receive further instructions on the next steps.

The publisher will handle the assignment of the ISBN (International Standard Book Number) and DOI (Digital Object Identifier) for your edited book.

If you have further questions about your edited book proposal, feel free to reach out to us at editor@spjinternational.co.

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