The Publishing Team – what we can offer:
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Dedicated and experienced subject editors who will review and provide feedback on your initial proposal
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Global distribution and marketing. We have a strong international presence, and our sales reach deeply into markets in the US, the UK and the rest of the world. . Our editorial and marketing teams in the US and UK work very closely to ensure your book gets the right exposure
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A global marketing plan, including direct mail, electronic and web marketing, advertising, review mailing, conference representation and adoption marketing for textbooks
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A dedicated international sales team, with offices in Europe, Singapore, India and China
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Dedicated and knowledgeable sales teams in the US and UK, selling directly to instructors, bookshops, wholesalers, online retailers, library suppliers and specialist accounts
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Quality design and production values. Using the latest technology, our books are produced efficiently, quickly and attractively
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eBooks. We know how important it is to provide content in a format that customers want. Routledge has an extensive eBooks program, with new titles being added daily
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Textbook development. A team of experienced development editors working on our major textbooks
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Translation rights. Our rights team will manage translation rights on your behalf dealing with publishers from around the globe.
Submitting a Book Proposal
The proposal you submit will be the basis on which we judge the book's suitability for publication. Therefore it needs to be organized in a way that provides the right information to us and to referees.
The following notes should help you prepare your proposal, and your cooperation in following our recommendations will ease the task of evaluation.
We would suggest a proposal between three-to-six pages in length, although this may be supplemented by two sample chapters and a curriculum vitae, if available. If you've completed a draft manuscript, please indicate this in your proposal. Please do not, however, send in an unsolicited draft manuscript as your initial correspondence. After reviewing your proposal, a commissioning editor will determine whether you should submit a full manuscript. If possible, please send your proposal and any accompanying material by email. The Routledge subject editors and their email addresses may be found here: http://www.routledge.com/info/contact/editorial/
Your proposal should address four main areas:
1. A statement of aims including three to four paragraphs outlining the rationale behind the book
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Quite simply, what is your book about?
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What are its main themes and objectives?
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What does it do differently, or more innovatively, or better than existing books?
2. A detailed synopsis and chapter headings with an indication of length and schedule
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Please list working chapter headings and provide a paragraph of explanation on what you intend to cover in each chapter. A list of chapter headings alone is not sufficient for a meaningful review.
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How many tables, diagrams or illustrations will there be (roughly)?
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Roughly how many thousand words in length will your book be? Does this include references and footnotes? Most of our books are 70,000 - 120,000 words long.
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When will you be able to deliver the completed typescript? Please be as realistic as possible.
3. A description of the target market
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Who is your book primarily aimed at? Who will buy it? Who will read it?
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Is it aimed at an undergraduate or postgraduate student audience?
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Is it a textbook, reference work or research monograph?
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If it's a textbook, for which courses would the book be used?
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Is it a research monograph that will sell primarily to academic libraries?
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Is the subject area of the proposal widely taught, or researched?
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Would this subject have appeal outside your home country? If so, where?
4. A list of the main competing books
We would like to know that you are familiar with competition for your proposed book. What are the strengths and weaknesses of key competing titles? What makes your book better than the competition?
Additional Questions for Edited Collections
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Is the book of a consistent academic quality?
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Should some of the weaker chapters be excised?
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Are the chapters structured logically and integrated around a coherent central theme?
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Will you be providing a detailed introductory chapter and a conclusion?
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Is there a balance between theoretical/methodological and empirical chapters?
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Will the case studies (if appropriate) appeal to an international audience?
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Are all of the chapters newly commissioned or have some appeared in print previously?
Additional Questions for Textbooks
Our research suggests that online resources can play a key part in teaching and learning at higher education institutions, and that — as a result — providing instructor and student resources for use alongside our textbooks may be important to their success. Please indicate alongside each of the options below whether you believe they are useful online resources for the target market of your book, why, and whether or not you are able to provide this content along with your manuscript. Further guidance on the preparation of this content can be provided.
Instructor Resources
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Additional Readings/Documents
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PowerPoint Presentations
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Images
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A Test Bank
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An Instructor's Manual
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Other (please specify)
Student Resources
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Video Links
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Website Links
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Glossary
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Multiple Choice Questions
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Audio Content
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Other (please specify)
How We Evaluate Your Proposal, or Manuscript
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Evaluation by commissioning editor(s)
The proposal will be considered carefully by the most suitable editor. The editor will ask several questions: Firstly, does the book fit with our publishing strategy? Is the content of this book of a high academic standard? Is there a market for a high quality book on this subject? What evidence is there for this market? If there is a gap in the market, is this the right book to fill it? What is the need for the book internationally? If the editor is satisfied at this stage, the proposal will then be evaluated by academic experts.
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Evaluation by independent referees
We ask respected academic specialists in the field to give us independent advice on the content, quality and potential market for a finished book based on your proposal or manuscript. We normally solicit two to four such reports. This process should take six to eight weeks but may take longer, depending on the time of year and the ease with which Routledge editors may find suitable reviewers.
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Editorial board meeting
If the reviews are positive, then the editor puts together a written publishing plan and strategy, which includes your proposal, the referees’ reports, projected costs and revenues, and market analyses. These circulate to all members of the editorial board in advance of a regular meeting, where each proposal is discussed and either approved, declined or provisionally passed, subject to certain revisions. The editorial board consists of editors, a publisher (who manages a team of editors), marketing personnel and sales managers.
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Contract, desk editorial and publication
If your proposal is approved, we will then issue you a draft contract. Once we have agreed on terms, you sign and return the contract with an agreed date for the delivery of the manuscript. Once the book has been written and delivered, you will liaise with a production editor over the copy-editing and production process. We will then publish, market and sell the book.
If you would like to submit a proposal, or have any queries, or concerns, please contact:
For UK and Rest of World Based Authors:
The Relevant Editor (please insert subject area or name of relevant editor; full list available here: http://www.routledge.com/info/contact/editorial/),
ROUTLEDGE BOOKS,
2 Park Square
Milton Park
Abingdon
Oxford OX14 4RN
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7017 6000
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7017 6699
For U.S. Based Authors:
The Relevant Editor (please insert subject area or name of relevant editor; full list available here: http://www.routledge.com/info/contact/editorial/),
Routledge Books
711 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10017
USA
Tel: 212-216-4000
Fax: 212-643-1430
For information on how to submit your manuscript, please see here our ‘Instructors to authors’ style guide, which covers the key points on how your manuscript should be presented and delivered.
Attending a Conference?
Let us know...
if you plan to attend a conference, or if you know of any important, relevant conferences that you cannot attend. This will help us promote your book effectively.
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If we are attending, we will ensure that your book is displayed.
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If another department is attending, we will arrange for your book to be displayed, if at all possible.
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If we cannot attend, we can prepare flyers for you to distribute yourself, or we can investigate sending flyers for separate display, or having an unmanned display for your book.
It is important that we have as much advance notice as possible of conferences. One month is the absolute minimum notice we require for conferences in the UK. More notice is needed for conferences elsewhere. Conferences where we intend to have a stand are usually planned the preceding year.
Email us to let us know about conferences. Please ensure you include the full conference name and dates, as well as the conference web address and/or contact name, telephone number and email address.
Author Flyers
If you would like flyers to distribute at conferences or other occasions, do let us know. We usually need three weeks notice for this. When you email us, don't forget to include your name, address, telephone number, how many flyers you will need, and the deadline for the flyers to reach you.
Click here to request flyers.