Submit a Proposal

Publish with Us | Our Editors 

 

Island Press is happy to consider a book at any stage of development. However, the earlier we receive your proposal, the better positioned we are to conduct more market research and work with you so your manuscript addresses the concerns of potential readers.

 

To consider a proposal, we need the following:

 

  1. A detailed table of contents with a brief paragraph or annotation describing the topics that will be covered in each chapter.
  2. Two sample chapters. Please be sure that your sample chapters are as representative of your writing as possible. If charts, graphs, and illustrations are important elements of your manuscript, provide samples of those as well. Chapters must be typed double-spaced with one-inch margins on all sides.
  3. A detailed curriculum vitae or resume of the author(s). If you are proposing a contributed volume, please include resumes or, at least, full identifications for all chapter authors.
  4. A prospectus. The book’s prospectus gives you a chance to explain why you are writing it, and for whom. It explains the logic behind the project, what need the book will address, and why it should be published. It communicates the book’s goals and functions to the acquisitions editor, who can then make an informed decision on how the project should move forward. Continue reading for a detailed description of the elements of a prospectus.  

 

Once you have compiled these documents, please email them to the appropriate editor.

 

The Prospectus

A thorough prospectus will help inform our publishing decision and move the process along more quickly. In your prospectus, please answer all questions that apply to your book and provide any additional information that will help us in our evaluation.

 

  1. Describe the contents of the book. What is its thesis? What do you hope to accomplish by writing this book? What need does it fill (Be very specific on this point.)? Why is the subject important?
  2. How would you characterize the book? Is it policy analysis or practical how-to information? Does it develop a theory? Is it a practical tool that professionals will use? Does it shed new light on current controversies? Does it provide historical or analytical information? On what level is it written? Does the reader require specialized knowledge to understand it? What is unique about this book?
  3. Who is your audience? Be as specific as possible and identify both primary and secondary markets. For professional audiences, please give job titles (city planners or wetland managers, for example). Is the book likely to be used as a primary or supplemental text for college courses? If so, please provide course titles for which it would be appropriate. (If you know how many of such courses are taught nationally or how many students they involve, please include that information.) If you think it will be of interest to citizen activists, list names of organizations and membership numbers. Also provide names of newsletters or other publications that reach that audience. Are there any other groups or associations that may have a particular interest in this book? If you know of possibilities for bulk sales through organizations or conferences include that information.
  4. What topics does your book cover? Are there any topics that have not been covered before?
  5. If you are proposing a contributed volume, please discuss the origin of the project (is it based on a conference, for example?), how much (if any) of the material has been previously published, and what you as editor plan to do to make the book cohere. How will you work with the contributors? Will the contributors see other chapters? How much editing and/or rewriting will you do? What level of consistency of style and quality do you plan to achieve?
  6. What other books have been published on this subject (Include author, publisher, and date of publication.)? What are their strengths and weaknesses? How will your book differ in organization, level, approach, and content? How will your book relate to other books in the field?
  7. What is the approximate length of the final typed manuscript? Assume 8-1/2-x-11 double-spaced pages with one-inch margins.
  8. What elements will the manuscript include: charts, graphs, tables, photographs, glossary, index, bibliography, and so on? Please be as specific as possible.
  9. Do you have any particular conception of the production, design, or marketing of the manuscript that we should know about?
  10. Has your proposal (or manuscript) been read by anyone else whose opinions would be of value to us? Can you suggest the names of three persons who would be competent to read and review your proposal or manuscript?
  11. When will the manuscript be complete?