How much info in a proposal for academic press?

trumpetology

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Hi All,

I am preparing a proposal for an academic press. They ask for the following (see below) and my question is how long should the "statement" they as for in the beginning be? The questions they ask (method, relevance, contributions) could easily fill several pages, but I'm wondering if they really just want a summary. As you can see, this is in addition to a writing sample and chapter by chapter summary.

Thanks in advance!

a statement addressing the following points: the purpose or rationale of your book (for projects in the social sciences, please include references to your sources and methodology); similar or competing books in the field; the audiences you envision for your book and the contributions your work offers; why you think your manuscript is suited to the University of Michigan Press's list; the length of the manuscript and the number of illustrations incorporated; and your timetable for completion of the project (if it is already finished, please let us know that, too);

a table of contents;

an outline of your chapters (this should be no more than a paragraph or two describing the content of each chapter);

an introduction or detailed overview of your project; if you have no introduction, please supply a sample chapter (or other material); and
a curriculum vitae or resume for all authors or volume editors; for edited volumes, a list of your contributors along with their professional affiliations
 
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Deleted member 42

They want a full paragraph each at least on:

  • The purpose or rationale of your book (for projects in the social sciences, please include references to your sources and methodology);
  • similar or competing books in the field;
  • the audiences you envision for your book
  • the contributions your work offers;
  • why you think your manuscript is suited to the University of Michigan Press's list
 

trumpetology

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Hi Medievalist,

Thanks for the quick response. Should I cap it at a paragraph or two? In the dissertation, the "methodology" constituted a full chapter, so that's where I got confused. And "contributions" sounds like "need for study," which also was several pages.

Any thoughts on a maximum length for each?
 

Deleted member 42

Hi Medievalist,

Thanks for the quick response. Should I cap it at a paragraph or two? In the dissertation, the "methodology" constituted a full chapter, so that's where I got confused. And "contributions" sounds like "need for study," which also was several pages.

Any thoughts on a maximum length for each?

I'd write it and revise. I'd also ask a faculty mentor to take a look. I'd say no more than 3 paragraphs, and try for one or two.