Please include all of the following in your book proposal:
1) Suggested title and subtitle
2) Abstract
What is the book about and what is its purpose? Include a description of the people, organizations, issues, technologies, and products that will be covered; explain the organization of the book and any special or unique features, and describe the approach you will take to make it as useful and interesting as possible. Include your estimate on the length of the book (approx. word count).
3) Preliminary Table of Contents
4) Graphics
Include information about illustrations, photos, charts, graphs, tables, screenshots, etc., which you would plan to include in the book, if any.
5) Readership information
Who will buy the book, and why? Include your estimate of the size of the primary markets for the book and suggestions on where/how to reach them (associations, publications, events, Web sites, etc.). If your book will appeal to the readership of one or more of our journals or books, make this point. It helps in this section to know of any success stories for similar books, with sales data where available. Describe the role you would expect to play in the marketing and promotion of the book. If you have an opinion as to an appropriate price range for the book, let us know.
6) Competition
List a few competitive titles, and describe some success stories with sales information as available. If you have found nothing similar, describe the sources you have searched. Some competition is desirable because it suggests an established market for your book; where there is considerable competition, there should be significant and easily expressed differences between your book and others. It is helpful to mention books that, while having a similar mission, are weak in certain specific areas where yours will be particularly strong.
7) Author biography (narrative format); copies of related work
Why are you qualified to write this book? Describe yourself, and any applicable writing and professional experience (attach resume or CV if desired). Include a copy of any published article(s) or book(s) you have authored that you believe will help us to assess your writing ability and fitness for the proposed project. Include SASE if you wish us to return the material.
8) Timing
When would you deliver a manuscript, assuming an agreement is reached within 30 days of your proposal submission?
Proposals typically run between 2 and 5 pages; length is not important so long as the proposal clearly explains the concept and its viability. In addition to your proposal, feel free to include the first three chapters if already written. Do not send the entire manuscript unless requested to do so.
Please send prospectus to: