An Editor's Book Publishing Tips for the Uninitiated ·

Susan Ferber

erhaps the most critical step book from them or signed up on a best places for this; editors have often in the professional lives of mailing list. More often than not, made appointments well in advance Phistorians is publishing that first these catalogues can be found in the with authors they are working with book, yet historians rarely talk about exhibit halls at scholarly meetings and may have so many commitments the publication process within their and discarded around departmental that they can't field questions. You departments. The key to success is not mailboxes. Many are also posted on should, however, be able to pick up an insider's secret. Getting published publishers' websites, where you can a business card for the appropriate is something that can be learned-just view both a publisher's frontlist (new acquisitions editor or ask those who like interviewing, applying for grants, titles) and backlist (all titles more than are staffing the booth about the right and constructing a syllabus. For those a year old). Increasingly, marketers person to contact. Some potential who imagine the publishing world as are using electronic marketing in lieu authors believe it is necessary to meet the Land of Oz and picture editors as of or in addition to traditional paper an editor before he/ she will consider shadowy figures behind the curtain, mailings, and you can sign up on a project, but I give consideration to what follows is meant to erect some websites to receive periodic listings of strong proposals regardless of whether guideposts that can help point the way new books in, say, American history. I have encountered the author in to the Emerald City. It is also useful to look at professional person. journals. The publishers' advertising You may also learn about a series for Research, Research, Research in these journals can give you a which your work might be a good fit. snapshot of new titles, and the reviews Series are subsections of a pu~lisher' s Like learning the tricks of the will give you a critical perspective on list in the field, usually revolving trade for doing archival research, new publications from a variety of around a theme or period, and are finding out about publishers is a presses over a period of a few years. often recruited for by academics. matter of doing your homework, Publishers also show off their Series editors may simply recommend and homework, naturally, begins at new titles to authors and potential new authors to acquisitions editors, home. Look at your bookshelves: the authors at professional conferences. perhaps after hearing conference publishers' names on the spines of Historians have dozens of conferences papers or reading journal articles, your books will orient you towards annually (some disciplines have or they may play a more hands-on the presses that put out the books that one or at most two), but you will role in developing manuscripts with have been most influential in your find the largest array of presses at authors. Series have mushroomed in choice of topic and approach. Check meetings of the American Historical the university press world, and you out the copyright years for some of Association and the Organization of may discover new ones through flyers these books. Were they published in American Historians. You can use at conferences or direct contact with the last three years, or are they twenty these meetings - and the ads in the a series editor. Whether a series is years old? Presses are often consistent programs for them-to collect a great necessary for your book or will add in publishing in parts of disciplines, deal of material about a potential value to it is something you will need but they can change direction for a home for your first book Because of to determine. However, the press is variety of reasons, among them the exhibiting and staffing costs, which still the publisher, and it retains the inception or shutting down of a series are especially high when meetings right to make an offer and determine and the hiring or departure of an are held in exotic locations or have the terms, not the series editors. editor with a particular set of interests. smaller attendances, not every press Don't forget about a critical method Tryto identify presses that have will sponsor its own table at every of gathering information: oral history. published books similar to yours in meeting, so don't forget to spend time Ask your friends and colleagues about recent years. looking at the combined book exhibit their publishing experiences. Your Publishers go to great lengths to tables staffed by such companies as advisor may have published a first promote their lists to academics, Scholar's Choice, Library of Social book twenty years ago, in a vastly and would-be authors should take Science, and Associated Book Exhibit. different publishing world, or he/she advantage of their efforts. Presses At these meetings, you may see may have been commissioned to write mail discipline catalogues, seasonal acquisitions editors and, particularly books recently, so don't neglect to ask catalogues, and sale catalogues at smaller conferences, find that they people you know who have published throughout the year, typically have time to chat informally. The first books in the past few years and to anyone who has purchased a major conferences are not usually the some accomplished authors a cohort Page 28 PassportDecember 2007 or so ahead of you. The academics I your original contribution. Editors adoption potential, greater length know are all too happy to talk about know that finishing up and filing a may make its appearance on syllabi the nitty-gritty of their publishing dissertation is sometimes (usually?) unlikely. (Think about the longest experiences and especially what went done in a rush, that there are things book you can assign to your students.) wrong; As you ask around, keep you meant to do, wanted to do, . While there are reasons why some in mind that no one is 100 percent and simply ran out of time to do. books must be long, more often than happy with a publisher and thinks Taking advice from your dissertation not dissertations are over-exampled the press did everything it could to committee and applying it to your and overwritten. Although it may promote his or her book. But through work is time welrspent. It will no be painful to cut back material you these conversations, you will pick doubt make yours a stronger first have spent years in the archives up valuable information about what book, so implement it, and don't discovering, it is a sobering fact that to expect and what questions to ask wait to get the same advice during a publishers are attentive to book length so that you may avoid some of the publisher's review process. and their publishing decisions will, problems others have experienced. While there is a great deal more to a degree, be linked to this factor. There are no major drawbacks to to be said on the topic of revising Of course, there are also dissertations educating yourself about world of a dissertation, you can carry out that are thin and may benefit from publishing before the need to publish minimal revision on your own by having an expanded time frame or an suddenly becomes a "front burner" looking critically at a few structural additional chapter. issue. Doing so will help you make elements of your dissertation. The bottom line is this: you want better choices as you are working on Recasting the introduction is usually to put your best foot forward when your dissertation and may get you necessary. These openers often contain you submit to publishers. There are started on thinking about future book literature reviews and extremely no second chances for editors to take projects. It will also mean that you are chunky footnotes pointing out the a first look at a project. If what they not flying blind or relying on urban lacunae in other works. This is the see is an unrevised dissertation that legends when the time for dealing place to make sure that your own isn't ready for review, it is rare that with presses arrives. argument comes through clearly and they can or will invest in reviewing a compellingly; it is not the place to project, even if they have chatted with Making Contact: When and How point out all the problems with other you in the past and expressed interest books. Does your introduction explain in seeing your manuscript. There is no single right answer to what the flow of your manuscript is The proper way to approach a when it is best to begin contacting and how the chapters fit together? publisher is through a proposal. Even publishers. In general, though, I Next, take a look at your table of if you have 535 pristine pages ready advise a period of seasoning for the contents. Are your chapter titles to mail, resist that urge at all costs. Do dissertation. Step back, put it in a clear, or are they jargon-filled? Are not send your full manuscript unless drawer, and don't look at it for a your chapters of more or less even an editor asks for it. A clearly written, period of weeks or even months. You length? Are your footnotes/ endnotes well-argued proposal best enables need time to gain critical distance from predominantly citations, or do you an editor to determine whether your what you have just completed before use them to work in additional book is suitable for the publishing you can envision taking it apart and information and to have conversations program he/she oversees and whether jettisoning parts of what you have with the literature you could not work he/she wants to see more of your spent years working on. That advice into the text? If the latter, work on project. This is not the time or place to does not, however, take into account cutting these down now. be overly informal. An introduction or other factors, like a job search, but This is also a good time to assess excerpt from your manuscript with a hiring committees tend to be accepting the length of your manuscript, if you brief note saying, "As promised, here of newly filed dissertations in a way haven't done so already. Use the it is!" is not a substitute for a proposal. that acquisitions editors typically are word-count function of your word Not every good proposal is precisely not. processing program to figure out how the same, but here are some elements Even though a lot of potential long what you have written is (and. that good proposals include: authors assure me that "my advisor don't forget the notes). While there 1. A cover letter. If you have told me to write my dissertation like is no "magic number," publishers letterhead stationery for your a book," there is a difference between look most favorably on books in the institution, use it. Address your letter the two. At the most fundamental neighborhood of 100,000-110,000 to the editor by name (and if you are level, the dissertation is written to words, which translates into a book writing several letters at once, make prove mastery of material to a small of around 300 pages. That is not an sure the name matches the publisher). group of advisors who have nurtured arbitrary figure. Production costs Make sure your contact information your project from its inception and are all predicated on length, and a (including e-mail) is clear. Briefly helped you through research and much larger page count can make it state your qualifications. Give the development. Book publishers difficult to price a book at the level a title of your work and a succinct assume you have achieved mastery press thinks optimal for its market. statement of your book's argument, of your material; they are looking for More important, if a book has course and make the purpose of the letter PassportDecember 2007 Page 29 explicit. What you are asking editor monograph intended for specialists in who does not know the ins and outs to do? Be honest about the status of this area. of your topic. Editors are busy and the manuscript. How complete is it? Comparable/competitivebooks:List see a lot of projects. You need to hook Describe the state of play-is yours a three or four books that might be them fast with your proposal, so make solo submission or a multiple query? comparable to or competitive with sure that your cover letter and the If it is a multiple query, you must tell yours (include author, title, publisher, overview in your prospectus are in editors this. Not all presses will allow publication date) and briefly explain tip-top shape. multiple submissions. Also, inform how your book is like or unlike these. When you are ready, my advice the editor if you have a subvention It is exceedirigly rare for there to be is to print all of these materials and (money towards publication from an no book even remotely like yours. If send them through the mail. Using outside source) or if you have unique you have trouble doing this, think paper may sound old-fashioned, but timetable requirements (i.e., your about what book yours would likely no one minds getting proposals in tenure clock is ticking very fast, or be sitting with on a library bookshelf, hard copy. Just because you can send your book is about an event with an or what books might take similar your project via e-mail attachment upcoming important anniversary). approaches but might not necessarily doesn't mean that all editors want 2. A prospectus. be on your precise topic. to receive it that way. (Even within a Overoiew:Aprospectus should Nuts and bolts:Finally, give the press, editors vary on this policy, but include a brief description of your anticipated details of your finished many university press websites say book. It should be written in the style book. Spell out the number of words that proposals sent via attachment are in which you intend to write the your manuscript will have (always not acceptable.) Think about it this book, and it should explain the book's include text, notes, and bibliography), way: you are creating more work for central argument and lay out its arc. not the number of pages your the editor, since he/ she has to print What kind of contribution does the dissertation has or what the font type out your materials, expending time work make? Be more specific than "it and margins are. Give the number that could otherwise be spent reading makes a contribution to the literature" and type of illustrations you hope to and engaging with your proposal. You or "it brings two different strands of include. Also, lay out your intended do not have to call or write to say that the literature together." Talk about timetable. Behonest about whether it you are sending your proposal. Nor what kind of contribution it will make is ready for consideration or still needs should you plan to hand-deliver these to understanding the historical issues work. If any part of the dissertation materials at a conference, where the at hand and challenging or nuancing has been published in a different form, chances of them getting misplaced are the established narratives of the field. say so. This might mean that a version greater. (It is unlikely they are going to Annotated tableof contents:Give of Chapter 5 has appeared as a journal be read during the conference anyway, chapter titles and explain what each article. While editors tend not to want and they will just add more weight to one contains, including the argument to publish books from which the key your - and your prospective editor's each advances. research has already been in print suitcase.) Sources:Briefly describe your for a core audience, they know that You do not have to ask university sources. Say what kinds of archival articles are part of building a c.v. and press editors if you can submit your documents, collections, libraries, oral are not apt to be troubled by a journal proposal. While commercial/ trade histories, etc. you are drawing on, and article or two. Having gotten through presses generally do not accept highlight any that are particularly a refereed journal process is a sign that materials for projects they have not new. your research has already favorably requested or received via an agent, Market:Discuss the intended attracted the attention of a number of university presses and scholarly audience for your book. Is it written specialists in the field. commercial publishers do read primarily for scholars? If so, what Also include in your submission projects that come (in industry lingo) discipline(s)? Professionals (if so, what package: "across the transom." fields)? Students (if so, what level)? 3. Your curriculum vitae. General/ trade readers? (This is rare 4. A sample chapter (optional). If an What to Expect for a revised dissertation.) If particular editor wants to read more, he/ she will scholarly or professional organizations definitely ask for it. How long before you hear back are target audiences, identify them. from a publisher? That depends on Be as specific and realistic as possible. I strongly advise sharing the draft of the press, the time of year, and an Few books appeal to all of these your proposal with some eagle-eyed individual editor's workload, but a markets, and if an author claims that friends or members of a writing group. month to six weeks from receipt of his or her book is for everyone, it is They will likely catch your typos and project is reasonable. You may get a often a sign to an editor that he/ she pick up on places where you are not letter thanking you for submitting is overreaching and will be umealistic effectively conveying your ideas to your project but declining to review about the market throughout the someone who does not have the same it for the list. These letters are not publishing process. There is nothing specialty you do. Remember, editors typically custom-tailored for each wrong with identifying a particular are generalists, so you need to make project, and you should not expect or subfield and saying that your book is a yourself comprehensible to someone request feedback from an editor on Page 30 PassportDecember 2007 what you could do better in making or a few months, the editor may professional reasons, do you need to a submission or improving your advise doing this work before sending have a contract by a particular date?) proposal. Rejection is a normal part of it. What he/she is looking for is a and your decision-making process (do the submission process, and although double-spaced manuscript (unbound), you make endless pro and con lists this project may not be a match with printed out single-sided, preferably whenever you have to make choices?). this particular publisher, future wprks with endnotes. Should two presses pursue review of yours might be, so it pays not to If you have submitted your proposal processes, you do need to inform bum any bridges. Remember, editors to multiple presses and gotten them that you are doing this and to are looking for the best fit with their feedback from one that it would like wait until both processes are complete lists, depending on what else is in to review your project formally, e before you accept an offer. Publishers production or under contract at a mail any other press you are keen are investing time and money in these given time, and they have more viable on to check that your proposal was reviews, and you need to give them projects cross their desks than they can received and to let that editor know the opportunity to come to a decision. possibly pursue. that another press is interested. A The review process is a vetting If all goes well, you will hear back press may demand exclusive review, procedure by specialists, and it is part from at least one press expressing in which case you have to decide if of the "value added" that makes a interest in your project and asking this is the publisher under whose university press a university press. to see more. Depending on the press imprint you most want your book to That isn't to say that commercial and the project, the editor might ask appear, should things go smoothly imprints don't carry weight with you to send a sample chapter or a full in the review process. Assuming tenure committees, but the peer manuscript. Be open with the editor that the publishers allow multiple review process and a university about what is ready for review or submissions, it will be up to you to press imprint are important to many how long it might take you to prepare decide if you want your manuscript hiring and tenuring committees. At your manuscript to send. If planned to go through multiple sets of peer most presses, the peer review process revisions will take a matter of weeks review. Consider your timetable (for means that a manuscript goes to at least two readers and sometimes three if it is interdisciplinary or if an "We Keep The World on Top of America" editor feels that different kinds of feedback might be helpful. This is a blind review process-you don't LIBERTAS:ANEW INITIATIVEINTHE DISCUSSION OF US FOREIGN POLICY know who reviewers are unless they decide to reveal their identity- but Libertas (http:/JwwwJibertas.bham.ac.yk/> ) is a website linking scholars. it isn't double-blind, as journals can the media, and the general public in engagement with and interrogation of US foreign policy be, so the reviewers will know who past, present, and future. We seek not only to study US policymaking but to explore its roots you are. I ask authors if they would within the American culture from which it emanates. like to recommend potential readers (though I am not obligated to go with those people) and if there is anyone In pursuit of this mission, we do not seek to be "pro-American" or "anti they would not want to have evaluate American" but to examine American interaction with the rest of the global community. We their manuscript for any reason (I wish to consider not only the production of US foreign policy but also the response to and don't always know about professional negotiation of that foreign policy, and the American activities it produces, by other governments, groups, and individuals. feuds). The review process is not just a hoop to jump through to gain a contract. It Libertas will feature cutting-edge, timely analysis with daily podcasts and is a rare opportunity to get in-depth briefings, weekly analyses, and a discussion board.This will be supported by the highest-quality feedback on your manuscript as a academic research and publication from associates in the United Kingdom and throughout the world. Libertas is already working with partners in Dublin, New York, Los Angeles, Washington book-in-the-making from experts who DC, Bologna, Beirut and Tehran and more links will be made in the near-future. have not previously been associated with your dissertation. Their comments may range from analysis of Libertas welcomes contributions from all in the media and in the academic your argument to advice on structure, community to ensure the liveliest and most productive exchanges in the discussion of US criticism of your prose style, and foreign policy and the world. assessment of your contribution to the field. Even though presses pay Formore information.contactBevan Sewell at bevan.sewe/[email protected] readers in books or in cash, this kind Scott Lucasat [email protected]. of prep1;1blicationinput is invaluable to writers at all stages of their careers. Later on, these anonymous readers might very well become part of your close intellectual cohort. PassportDecember 2007 Page 31 I generally give reviewers six to of your work in advance. An editor Books(Chicago, 2001). But I hope this eight weeks with a manuscript, but will present your project, including essay will give you a better sense of that can vary based on time of year the book budget the editor has direction as you take your first steps and the length of the manuscript. constructed. Collectively the board along the publishing path, and I hope While a timely review is important, will decide whether or not to offer a it has helped unmask and expose the getting the best reader possible is contract and what that offer will look mysterious figures who are furiously an equally high priority. Reviewers like. How often the editorial board and frantically pulling the levers, are asked to respond to a series of meets varies hy p,ress. In addition, a dials, and switches at the presses questions posed by the editor but faculty board (known at some presses where you are most likely to publish can discard this structure and go as delegates or syndics) reviews all your first book way beyond the original questions in projects at university presses. They are giving feedback. the body that approves the imprint of Susan Ferberis an ExecutiveEditor for When the reviews come back, the the university being stamped on every Americanand WorldHistory at Oxford editor will decide how to proceed, book that the press publishes. UniversityPress-USA based on a reading of the reports, If your project receives final his or her own assessment of the approval, you will be offered a manuscript, and discussions with contract for your book While space colleagues. When you receive these will not permit extensive discussion of reports, they may at first seem the terms of a contract, there are key overwhelming in length and depth. things you should look for: delivery But remember: you want this kind date, length, number of illustrations, of criticism now, while you can royalties, advance, and paperback productively use it in revising your terms. There may be some room for manuscript, not printed in a review negotiation, but it is likely not vast. after your book comes out. You should not expect to get rich off What happens after the reviews your first book, but you should expect come in may vary slightly depending to make money over time as your on the press, and the editor should book sells. A first book does financially help guide you through this process. If reward you in ways beyond book sales you are unclear on what will happen as well: it establishes your scholarly next, ask. Sometimes the reviews are reputation, can be essential to getting not strong enough for the publisher to a job, may get you a promotion, and is continue at this point, but statistically likely a key consideration for tenure. that is not the common outcome. If In the event that you have been your manuscript is not rejected, you offered more than one contract, should be asked to write a response you'll most likely be making a to the reviews. It makes good sense to decision based on a combination spend some time analyzing the reports of contract specifics as well as for commonalities. Begin by thinking intangibles. While the latter cannot about the strengths pointed out in be quantified, I cannot underestimate your project before reconsidering its importance. During the review parts that have been critiqued. You process, you have likely learned a need not agree with all the changes good deal about working with a recommended for your manuscript, specific editor, a relationship that is at but you need to write a defense of least as important as the contractual your position in these instances and agreement you sign for your book. perhaps think of some ways to clarify This is going to be a working your choices if you think a reviewer relationship lasting several years, has misunderstood your intent. This and you want to be sure that you find written response to the reviews will someone who shares your vision of become part of the package that an your project and will be supportive editor presents in-house about your in helping you shape the best work of project, but it is not shown to the which you are capable. reviewers. There is a great deal more to Publishers' deliberations usually publishing a first book than I have occur on two levels. There is generally covered here. For more information, an editorial board meeting involving I strongly recommend William editors, marketers, sales people, Germano' s concise yet compz:ehensive publicists, and rights staff, most of GettingIt Published:A Guidefor Scholars whom will have read a summary and Anyone ElseSerious about Serious

P::10-P '.'.\? PassportDecember 2007