Preparing a Proposal

We welcome suggestions for new books and are happy to evaluate any proposals that are submitted to us. 

It is not necessary to have written the whole book before you approach us. It is better to draft an overall plan and then to talk to a publisher. If you are ready to submit a proposal, we recommend you structure it as below. A proposal template is also available here.  

The information you give in the proposal should present a clear and detailed description of your new book. This will enable the reviewers who comment on the proposal and LWW to form an opinion about:

  1. The content - comprehensiveness, currency, breadth, depth, accuracy, etc.
  2. The market – who will buy this book? On what courses would this book be used? How many students take the course? etc.
  3. The competitive position of your proposed book – what other books on this topic are available? What are the differences between this project and existing competitors in treatment, breadth, style, innovation, new material, etc. Why would a lecturer recommend, and student buy, this book?

Author/Title details

  • Your name, professional affiliation, contact details, etc. Please include details of previous publications. 
  • Proposed or tentative book title

Overview

  • A summary (200-300 words) of the book's aims and scope. Why is this book needed? What makes it unique? 

Contents

  • A contents list with a short paragraph describing each chapter, and any special features of the text (e.g. illustrations, summaries, case studies, quizzes, learning objectives, etc). 

Readership

  • A realistic assessment of the intended readership. Please try to be specific and stress the major markets. Consider the following: 
    • What level is it pitched at?
    • If applicable, for which course(s) will it be used? Will it be required, recommended or supplementary reading?
    • Is its appeal international or confined to a particular geographic market?      

Competing titles 

  • A description of the book in relation to competing titles. 
    This should include: 
  • The author, title, publisher, publication date, price and number of pages of the main competing titles
  • Any unique features that will distinguish your book from the competition.
  • N.B. The key question is: 'Why will a student or practitioner buy my book, rather than one of the others listed here?' 

Other relevant information 

  • Your timetable: what stage are you at now, and when do you hope to complete the manuscript?
  • How long is the final manuscript likely to be? (i.e. number of words)
  • How many line diagrams and photographs will there be?
  • Will there be any unusual text features, such as colour?     
  • Do you plan any online resources to accompany your book? 

About the author(s)/editor(s) 

  • Please provide some brief information about yourself and your co-authors, where appropriate, including any details of previous publications. 


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