Manuscript Submissions
Submission policy
Submitting a proposal to Baker Academic
Submitting a proposal to Brazos Press
Submission Policy
Baker Books, Bethany House Publishers, Revell, and Chosen do not accept unsolicited manuscripts. All manuscripts received will be returned to the sender without review. We will consider unsolicited work only through one of the following avenues. Materials sent to our editorial staff through a professional literary agent will be considered. In addition, our staff attend various writers' conferences in which prospective authors can develop relationships with those in the publishing industry. If you are interested in having an editor view your work, we recommend submitting it to one of two writing services: The Writer's Edge, available both online and in print, or ChristianManuscriptSubmissions.com, an online service of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. We subscribe to both these services and regularly review the proposals which appear there, as do many other Christian publishers. These organizations can be reached at the following addresses:
ChristianManuscriptSubmissions.com
On the web: www.ChristianManuscriptSubmissions.com
Email: info@christianmanuscriptsubmissions.com
Writer's Edge Manuscript Service
On the web: www.writersedgeservice.com
Email: info@WritersEdgeService.com
Mailing address: P.O. Box 1266, Wheaton, IL 60189
Submitting a proposal to Baker Academic
Baker Academic welcomes book proposals from prospective authors holding relevant academic credentials (which usually means a Ph.D. or similar degree in the field of the proposed book and a teaching position at a recognized institution of higher learning). Proposals vary in form from a one-page description to an extensive prospectus including sample chapters. We prefer to see a proposal before you complete the manuscript. This enables you to obtain feedback from us that may make the project more publishable. Even if you finish your manuscript before approaching us, we ask that you submit a proposal instead of the manuscript.
A fully developed proposal consists of the following:- The proposed book's topic, thesis (unless it’s a textbook or reference book), and methodology or subdiscipline.
- The primary audience for the book and its secondary audiences. If it has potential as a textbook in institutions of higher education, identify: (i) specific courses for which it might be used as a primary text (if any), then those for which it could serve as a supplementary text; (ii) the educational level of the book; and (iii) pedagogical aids, such as exercises, discussion questions, glossaries, and bibliographies, to be included in it.
- Books with which it will compete, and the uniquenesses and strengths that set it apart from them; or reasons why no book of its kind exists.
- The estimated date for the manuscript's completion.
- An annotated outline, with a one-paragraph summary or a brief outline of each chapter.
- The approximate length of each chapter, in words.
- Kinds and quantities of illustrative material (such as photographs, line drawings, maps, charts, tables) that need to be included.
- A sample chapter that represents the book's distinctive contribution or an introduction that explains such things as the book's background, purpose, distinctives, approach, thesis, and contents.
- A full vita, one that shows your qualifications to write the proposed volume.
- Letters from others in your field who testify to the need for such a volume and, if you are new to publishing, your ability to write it. We prefer to have the letters submitted at the same time the proposal is submitted and by the same method.
Put your proposal in the most refined form you can. We will judge your ability to craft a well-written manuscript by the quality of your proposal. We naturally prefer that you submit your proposal to us first. If you choose to submit it simultaneously to other publishers as well, we only ask that you say as much in your cover letter. After evaluating your proposal, we will advise you of our level of interest. If we have interest in publishing the project, an acquisitions editor will follow up with you. If you have been in previous conversation with a Baker Academic editor, you may send your proposal to that editor. Otherwise, your proposal may be sent by post or email to:
Submissions Baker Academic PO Box 6287 Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
Submitting a proposal to Brazos Press
Like other publishers, we have a surplus of paper in our offices. So it will help us to more quickly get to your proposal--and to offer a more timely response--if you keep it concise. Typically a proposal of 3 to 6 pages total is sufficient. Please address the following points:
- The basic subject of your proposed book.
- Why your proposed book is significant and needed.
- The intended readership.
- Significant competing or contrasting already published books.
- The projected length of the manuscript (in double-spaced pages).
- The projected completion date of the manuscript.
- Follow this information with a single descriptive paragraph of each projected chapter (so, e.g., for a 12-chapter book there would be 12 paragraphs). The object here is not to dazzle with eloquence or erudition, but to give a clear sense of the content of your book.
- Also include a CV or author biography.
- If the manuscript is completed in whole or in part, one or two sample chapters should be enclosed. Please include sample chapters (and all other materials) with text on only one side of each page (not text on front and back). Proposals are especially welcome as email attachments (to rclapp@brazospress.com). Please note that it is important to include your name and email address in/on the email attachments.
Thank you for your consideration of Brazos Press.
Rodney Clapp
Editorial Director