Finding The Bacon
By Jenna Glatzer

Feb. 12, 2002

Nonfiction Book Publishers

This week, I thought we'd try something different and list some book publishers.  All of the publishers below have guidelines online, and they all publish nonfiction books.  So get your proposals in gear, and dig right in!

ALA Editions
Jennifer Palmer
Editorial Assistant
ALA Editions
50 E. Huron St.
Chicago, IL 60611
Tel: 312-280-3244
Fax: 312-944-8741
E-mail: jpalmer@ala.org
Website: http://www.ala.org 
Guidelines: http://www.ala.org/editions/forauthors/proposal_guidelines.html

"ALA Editions, the publishing imprint of the American Library Association, publishes 35–40 works each year for library professionals, library researchers, and the general library/information community. Most items are in book format, but electronic publishing projects are also being considered. Building on a century of experience, ALA Editions is an award-winning publisher whose direct marketing reaches more than 100,000 customers."

Needs: proposals of about 2-3 pages plus back matter, including a project description, intended market, author's credentials, competition, table of contents, length of manuscript, schedule for completion, writing sample, software used, and special considerations.  "Contract terms are competitive."  Responds in 6-8 weeks.

University of North Texas Press
P.O. Box 311336
Denton, TX 76203-1336
Telephone: (940) 565-2142
FAX: (940) 565-4590
Ron Chrisman, Director rchrisman@unt.edu
Karen DeVinney, Managing Editor Kdevinney@unt.edu
Website: http://www.unt.edu
Guidelines: http://www.unt.edu/untpress/authguid.htm  

"The University of North Texas Press is the publisher of the Texas Folklore Society Publications; thus we place an emphasis on folklore in our publishing. We also publish the following series: War and the Southwest, Texas Writers, Western Life, Practical Guide, and the Vassar Miller Prize in Poetry. We place emphasis on multicultural topics, women's issues, history, Texana, and Western America."

"The decision-making process at UNT Press is like other university presses. If we feel your proposal fits with our publishing list and publishing schedule, we will ask for a complete manuscript, which will then be evaluated by at least two expert readers. These confidential reports are taken to the UNT Press Editorial Board, which has the final say on whether or not we will publish the book. Both the readers and the Editorial Board may have suggestions on revising and improving the manuscript. Sometimes their approval may be contingent on whether or not these changes are made."

Greenery Press
1447 Park Avenue
Emeryville, CA 94608
attn: Editor
Website: http://www.greenerypress.com
Guidelines: http://www.greenerypress.com/subguide.html 

"Your best bet for selling a book to us is to develop a well-written and well-organized how-to book on some aspect of human sexuality, preferably an aspect that has not been extensively written about in the past. We prefer books between 30,000 and 80,000 words in length, although we have accepted books which are both longer and shorter. We like books with a distinct authorial voice and a touch of humor. We insist on an extremely responsible stance on issues of consent and safety."

Send an outline or synopsis with sample chapters.  Small staff; may take several months to respond.

Wiley Computer Publishing
The Publisher
605 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10158 
E-mail: compbks@wiley.com 
Website: http://www.wiley.com
Guidelines: http://www.wiley.com/legacy/compbooks/author/proposal.htm 

Publishes computer books.  You can download their "proposal template" as a Word document; it explains exactly what they want to see.  They accept proposals via e-mail, fax, and snail mail.

"When submitting a proposal to Wiley, you can expect early contact from the relevant editor to discuss your proposal with you. If your proposal is accepted by Wiley, you can expect an agreement with competitive royalty rates, feedback and advice by publishing professionals during the development stage, a high-quality production effort, and very effective marketing and sales results."

Heinemann
Attn: Acquisitions Editor
361 Hanover Street
Portsmouth, NH 03801-3912
Phone: (603) 431-7894
Website: http://www.heinemann.com
E-mail: proposals@heinemann.com
Guidelines: http://www.heinemann.com/onlineresources/submission_guide.pdf

Publishes educational books, especially those that present little-known material, for teachers and students.  Categories include: Issues In Education, Teaching Writing, Teaching Reading, Teaching Reading & Writing, ESL/Bilingual Education, Curriculum, Teaching Social Studies, Teaching Math, Teaching Science, Urban Education, Assessment, English Teaching 7-12, and African Studies.  Does not publish children's books, elementary textbooks, or novels.  See website for catalog.  Accepts proposals by e-mail or snail mail.  

Appletree Press
151 Good Counsel Drive, Suite 125
Mankato, MN  56001
Phone: (800) 322-5679
Fax: (507) 345-3002 
E-mail: lindah@mnic.net
Website: http://www.appletree-press.com
Guidelines: http://www.appletree-press.com/Manuscript_Guidelines/manuscript_guidelines.htm 

"Appletree Press publishes books that encourage and promote a healthful lifestyle.  Our editorial focus is on sound nutrition, healthful cooking, prevention, wellness and physical fitness.  These can be expressed in cookbooks, nutrition or exercise guides, how-to books and curriculums.  Our marketing focus is the consumer and the health care professional who serves the consumer through education and/or patient care.  Our geographic focus is national.

"The purpose of Appletee Press is to further the mission of promoting optimal health through sound nutrition and desired physical activity for children and adults."  Wants proposals including a cover letter, table of contents, sample chapter or other writing sample, brief summary of author's qualifications, 1-2 sentence description of the book, and market description.  Responds in 4-6 weeks.

"The Prima Lifestyle Group, comprised of trade paperbacks and hardcovers on current events, business, finance, parenting, education, health and fitness, natural medicine, and inspiration, is a new publishing program of Random House, Inc.'s Crown Publishing Group division. Prima is well known for its practical and authoritative content and publishing titles in these areas complements Crown's Three Rivers Press trade paperback line as well as the publisher's Crown, Crown Business, Harmony, and Clarkson Potter hardcover lines."

First-time authors should have a completed manuscript before submitting a proposal to Prima.  See guidelines for proposal requirements.  Responds in 4-6 weeks.

Start Freelancing NOW!

for your Local Daily Newspaper
By Linda Dewey Cohen

Tara Ayres is Assignments Editor for the Neighbors section of the Post-Tribune, a midsize daily located in a Northern Indiana suburb of Chicago.  Their web address is www.post-trib.com.

Let's start with a few basic questions.   First, would you give us an idea of your readership?

We're a morning paper with a circulation of approximately 64,000 daily and 68,000 Sunday.

Are you the only daily newspaper in Merrillville?  

No, we are in a highly competitive market with another daily in the area. Plus, there are weekly papers in the region, but we don't consider them the main competition.

What are your duties as Assignment Editor?

I assign stories as well as read them. My official title is "Deputy Southlake Editor." I decide which stories will run in the paper, what kind of play they get (as far as photos, graphics, placement), and when they will run.  

TO READ THE REST OF THE INTERVIEW, CLICK HERE.