In order to evaluate your textbook proposal, we would like to review a prospectus, two sample chapters, and a curriculum vita.
1. The prospectus should include enough information to allow outside reviewers to evaluate your proposed book and compare it to the books that are already available for the course. It should include the following information:
The name of the course or courses for which your book is intended and a brief description of the book's distinguishing features -- its rationale, approach, and pedagogy.
A list of competing books with what you believe to be each book's strengths and weaknesses.
A more lengthy review of your book, describing how its features will match up to the strengths/weaknesses of the competition. Include information about the apparatus of your book here -- will it include examples, cases, questions, problems, glossaries, appendices, etc.? Do you plan to provide supplementary material such as an Instructor's Manual, Test Bank, Study Guide, Powerpoint Slides, a CD-ROM containing exercises and/or video material?
A detailed table of contents with at least one-point subheads for each chapter.
Current status of the manuscript: How many chapters do you currently have, and when do you expect to complete the manuscript? How long a book do you envision in actual book pages? How many illustrations (e.g. figures, tables, photos, etc.) do you expect to include?
A list of potential reviewers.
2. The sample chapters should be in sufficiently good condition to allow a valid assessment of your capability, but they need not be in final form. It's generally a good idea to include one chapter that covers material that is standard for any textbook for the intended course, and one chapter that is particularly innovative. The material submitted should reflect your writing style and pedagogy in the best possible light.
With this material in hand, we can make a prompt publishing decision on your proposal, and both you and we can be certain that we are in agreement on the nature of the book contracted. Please feel free to call us if you have any further questions. Good luck and we look forward to receiving your material.
