What will 2032 be like? Does thinking about this cause you anxiety regarding climate change, politics, or social media? Well, set that anxiety aside and let’s read the crystal ball of what academic publishing or just publishing might be like.
On Demand – TAA Webinar on how publishers evaluate book proposals and query letters
The Query Letter and Book Proposal are the go-to means of communicating an author’s ideas to prospective publishers. But how do publishers assess Book Proposals? When they read a Query Letter, how do they evaluate the idea, the author, and the market? In this TAA Webinar, available on demand, Publishing Consultant John Bond examines these common author documents and then uses a publisher’s magnifying glass to look at them through their eyes. By reviewing Query Letters and Book Proposals for the publisher’s wants, the author will be better equipped to create more attractive projects that will secure greater attention and possible publishing contracts. John shares best practices for creating these documents as well as the do’s and don’ts.
Q&A: What is the first step in launching my idea for an academic book project?
Q: I have an idea for an academic book. What is my first step in launching this project?
John Bond, Publishing Consultant, Riverwinds Consulting:
“Whether it be an academic monograph, textbook, or other type of book, the first step is to solidify ‘The Idea.’ This process has several components. My recommendation is approach this in a stepwise fashion:
Your work and international markets
“My work will have broad appeal in Europe.”
“China is a growing market and I think they’d love my book.”
“I’d like to see a Spanish-language version of my textbook. It would be a hit.”
“I know someone who can translate my book into Japanese. Should they get started?”
As a Book Publisher and later a Publishing Consultant, I have heard countless authors speculate on the market for their book outside of the English-language and/or North America. But what is involved with having your work reach Asia, Africa, Europe, and beyond?
Five chances to reset the terms of your book contract (Part 1)
If you published the first edition of your textbook ten or more years ago, you may find yourself occasionally muttering to yourself, “I wish I kew then what I know now.”
Why is that?
Historically, the publishers start the book contract negotiation game with all the cards…backs to you. You have one card…it’s face up. And it tells everybody, “I’m new at this but I’m excited. Just tell me where to sign.”
Publishers have generally been the gatekeeper to a published book. While this may be less true now, with self-publishing and Open Educational Resources (OER), the publishers still have the most established distribution channels self-publishers cannot begin to match.
Nominations for the 2022 Textbook Awards now open
Nominations for the 2022 Textbook Excellence Award (“Texty”), McGuffey Longevity Award (“McGuffey”), and Most Promising New Textbook Award, are open through November 1, 2021.
For more than 20 years, TAA has supported textbook and academic authors through these highly-recognized awards, given annually to emerging and veteran published authors in eight subject categories.