What to consider before submitting your book proposal

To give you an idea of what Taylor & Francis are looking for, here are a few questions to think about before getting in touch:

• Does your book idea have a USP – a unique selling point – an angle on the topic that is new, interesting, innovative and/or compelling?
• Is there a clear demand for your book from an academic or professional audience and what is it about your book idea that specific readers might want and/or need to read?
• Is the scope of your book’s concept broad enough to be of interest to readers on a global scale?
• What makes you the best person to write this book? What is it about your experience, research and background which make you an expert?

If you think your book idea can answer these questions successfully and you have some recent publishing experience (e.g. published articles or papers in journals or relevant academic or professional publications) please contact the most relevant Commissioning Editor in your field as early as possible. We also welcome proposals for cohesive edited collections with a strong theme and consistent quality through all chapters.

Assuming your idea is suitable and aligns with our publishing framework, the Commissioning Editor will provide you with a specific book proposal form suitable for your subject area and book idea, which will help you capture all the key information.

What a book proposal consists of

In essence, a book proposal is a document which provides an initial overview of a book or open access book project in advance of completing a book manuscript. For a detailed overview of what you will be expected to provide, please read our book proposal guidelines.

Research-level books are often published as part of an established series, so having an awareness of existing books in such series can be useful when it comes to framing and developing your proposal.

What happens after you submit your book proposal

Your proposal will initially be read by a Commissioning Editor to assess the suitability of your book for their publishing program (or 'list). Subject to your Editor's approval, your proposal will then undergo an external peer review process in which experts are engaged to provide feedback on the quality and scope of your work, before your work is submitted to the Publishing Committee (or Editorial Board) for final approval. If your book proposal is approved, you will then be offered a publishing contract.

For more information, please read our publishing process overview.

Book Proposal Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I submit my book proposal to more than one Taylor & Francis editor?

  Please submit to one editor at a time. Editors are in communication with one another and will pass your proposal on internally if it might be a better fit for another list. Visit our editorial contact page for more information on which subject area each editor commissions.

• Can I work with one or more co-authors?

  Yes, we find that working with a co-author or co-authors can bring a variety of perspectives to the project and often lessens the workload. We suggest picking someone that you have worked well with in the past and/or someone who has expertise in an area beneficial to the book. We also recommend not working with too many co-authors – usually 1-3 is a good number.

• Can my book include previously published material?

  In many cases the answer is yes - consult your editor. Keep in mind that for previously published material, proper permission must be secured. A video offering further permissions guidance can be found here.

• Do all book contributors need to have been secured before I submit my proposal for an edited volume or handbook?

  Not necessarily, but please do include the names of potential contributors along with affiliations and contact information, and indicate whether or not they have committed to the project.

• What is Taylor & Francis's policy on multiple book submissions?

  This can vary, so consult your Editor once you have begun discussing the peer review process.

• Are you still interested if my book manuscript is already completed?

  Yes! We will put your book proposal and a few sample chapters through the review process for you and work swiftly to provide you with a publishing decision.

• English is not my first language. Are you able to help me improve my manuscript?

  We offer an editing service for our authors at book or chapter level. You can find out more about our editing service here.

• Why do book proposals get rejected by Taylor & Francis?

  We have to be selective for our readers. If we feel that a book author or editor is not qualified in a particular area, if we note plagiarism, if reviews are poor, if a book author or editor has expectations that we cannot meet, if the market is too saturated with competitors, or if the material or concept is outdated, we may reject a book proposal. Your time is extremely valuable, as is ours, so we try to make smart decisions that are mutually beneficial.