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CQ PRESS PROPOSAL GUIDELINES
COLLEGE PUBLISHING - JOURNALISM
To ensure that CQ Press can accurately assess your project, please include the following elements and address the following questions in your manuscript proposal:
The Prospectus
Overall Plan: What is your rationale for writing the book? Why is there a need for your book? Do you have a special point of view? What approach will the book have and how will it break new ground? What sets apart this approach from other books on the same topic? Describe the text and the topics you will cover. How will the content be organized?
Market: In which course(s) will your work be adopted? What kind of schools/programs offers this course? What prerequisites, if any, are there? What sort of student takes this course? Is the course in a state of flux? If so, how is it changing and how will your book anticipate these changes? Do you teach the course regularly? Will professionals use your book? What are their job titles and in what types of companies/organizations do they work? How will it help them in their everyday jobs and further develop their careers?
Competition: What materials are professors who are likely to adopt your book currently assigning? What materials are professionals currently using or referencing to cover this topic? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the books or products against which yours will compete? Are you aware of similar projects in development? How will your text differ from its major competitors? How will it be similar?
Length: What is the projected length of the book (in word count, as well as manuscript or book pages)?
Pedagogy: What graphics (tables, figures, charts, maps, and screenshots) will the book employ and for what purpose? Would you like to include photos and cartoons? How many and to what effect? What plans do you have for special features (boxed inserts/sidebars, glossaries, appendices, questions, assignments, exercises, simulations, key terms, etc.)? What competitive advantages will they offer?
Schedule: What is your schedule for writing the book? How much have you already written? What dates do you estimate for completion of a first draft?
Credentials: What are your credentials; teaching, writing, research experience; degrees and affiliations; special qualifications?
Format: How do you envision the final product looking? What is its trim size (e.g., 5x8, 6x9, 7.5x9.25) and binding (perfect-bound, spiral binding)? Do you envision a 1-color interior or is there a market need to have a 2- or full-color interior?
Ancillaries: What teaching ancillaries, if any, should be planned for the book (e.g., web site, instructor’s manual, student workbook, test bank)? Are you willing to develop these materials?
Annotated Table of Contents
Please include an annotated table of contents that describes, in as much detail as possible, the contents and approach of each chapter. The more information you can provide here, the more substantive the feedback reviewers can provide
Sample Chapters
You should also prepare at least one, preferably two, sample chapters. While the prospectus and the table of contents reveal the thinking behind the conception of the book, draft chapters demonstrate whether its potential will be realized.
Reviewers
We would appreciate the names and affiliations of three or four people whose feedback you would find beneficial if they reviewed your proposal. We will consider them along with our own reviewers.
Please submit your proposals to:
Charisse Kiino
Chief Acquisitions Editor
CQ Press
2300 N Street, NW
Suite 800
Washington, DC 20037
Email: ckiino@cqpress.com