Wiki Categories Archives: Book Publishers

The University of Chicago Press

By Katie Wood on April 25, 2021 in

Publisher analysis

About the publisher

: https://press.uchicago.edu/index.html

Name: The University of Chicago Press Books

Purpose, objective, or mission: Founded in 1890, the mission of the Press is “the obligation to disseminate scholarship of the highest standard and to publish serious works that promote education, foster public understanding, and enrich cultural life. Through our books and journals, we seek not only to advance scholarly conversation within and across traditional disciplines but, in keeping with the University of Chicago’s experimental tradition, to help define new areas of knowledge and intellectual endeavor.”¹

Target audience: Both scholars and casual audiences, in the United States and abroad. ²

Owner: The University of Chicago Press.

Are published books peer reviewed? Unknown

Types of books published: Research, reference works, educational texts, “non-scholarly work by writers, artists, and intellectuals from within and beyond the academy, translations of important foreign-language texts, both historical and contemporary, and books that contribute to the public’s understanding of Chicago and its region”. ³

Medium: Print and digital. ⁴

Topics covered: Subjects include: Literature and Criticism, Sociology, Education, Music, Anthropology, History, Art, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Mathematics, Digital Studies, Environmental Studies, Writing Guides, General Reference, Regional Reference, Political Science, Religion and Philosophy, and Economics & Business. ⁵

Number of titles published per year: “The Books Division has published more than eleven thousand books since the Press was founded. It has more than five thousand books in print at the present time.” ⁶

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: http://press.uchicago.edu/infoServices/books_submissions.html

Types of submissions accepted: Book proposals only on accepted subjects. The Press has a separate division for journals. The publisher explicitly states they do not accept unrevised dissertations, Festschriften, or works of original fiction.

Submission and review process: “If you wish to present a book proposal, please write to one of our acquisitions editors, by post or email, sending a letter of introduction, curriculum vitae, table of contents, and a prospectus. You may include a sample chapter, but please do not send a complete manuscript unless invited.” ⁷

“There is no set format, but a good project description (or book proposal, as it is also called), will include an accessible overview of the work, a concise chapter-by-chapter summary, an account of your book’s relationship to comparable or competing works, your assessment of your book’s audience, and practical details including length, number of illustrations, and the status of the work. All this should be accomplished in 5-10 pages. For suggestions on project descriptions and other elements of a submission, we highly recommend chapter 5 of William Germano’s Getting It Published.” ⁸

“You may hear from us very quickly, but you should expect to hear in three to four weeks. If you have not heard within a month from the editor to whom you submitted your project, feel free to send a query by e-mail.” ⁹

Editorial tone: Unknown.

Style guide used: Unknown, though keep in mind that the Press publishes The Chicago Manual of Style.

Conclusion: Evaluation of publisher’s potential for LIS authors

The Press publishes across a wide array of subjects, including books about both library science and publishing. Glance over the list of currently published LIS books on their website to get a better sense of what the Press is looking for. In looking at the list of currently published books, there have only been seven titles published on LIS-specific subject matter in the past ten years. This provides ample opportunity for LIS authors to publish in an arena that does not currently have a diverse catalog, fulfilling a niche for this publisher. Prospective authors penning writing guides, or writing about literary, media, cultural studies or education are encouraged to contact an appropriate editor.

Audience analysis

About the publisher’s audience

Size: This is a relatively large publishing house, having published more than 11,000 works since its foundation in 1890. It’s editors have worked to “build a broad but coherent publishing program engaged with authors and readers around the world.”¹⁰

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: The Press publishes books that appeal to a vast, international audience: books about Chicago and surrounding areas, translations of foreign language texts and significant non scholarly works are just a sampling of their publications.¹¹ If published by the Press, their marketing department ensures that publicity and promotions will be conducted in the United States as well as from satellite offices in the United Kingdom, Australia and Japan.¹²

Reader characteristics: Scholars and casual readers with specific interests.

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Because University of Chicago Press publishes on an array of topics, readers will have a spectrum of knowledge of LIS subject matter.

Conclusion: Analysis of reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors

Readers of books published by the Press can generally be considered knowledgeable and, potentially, subject experts. The Press also distributes dozens of other publications from the likes of the American Meteorological Society, Association of University Presses, Amsterdam University Press and many others from all over the world.¹³ Considering that many of these, like the Press, are affiliated with a university, potential authors may want to keep in mind that the general readership leans in a scholarly direction.

Last updated: April 25, 2021

References

Show 13 footnotes

Society of American Archivists (SAA)

By Katie Wood on April 25, 2021 in

Publisher analysis

About the publisher

Name: Society of American Archivists

Website: https://saa.archivists.org/

Purpose, objective, or mission: “Founded in 1936, the Society of American Archivists is North America’s oldest and largest national professional association dedicated to the needs and interests of archives and archivists.” ¹

Their Mission Statement is “SAA is a vital community that promotes the value and diversity of archives and archivists and serves as the preeminent resource for the profession.” ²

Their Vision Statement is “The Society of American Archivists empowers archivists to achieve professional excellence and foster innovation to ensure the identification, preservation, understanding, and use of records of enduring value.” ³

“The goal of the SAA book publishing program is to provide print and digital resources that serve the needs of members and the archives profession, are of consistently high quality, fill gaps in the professional literature (rather than duplicate existing resources), and
nurture new and veteran voices.”⁴

Target audience: Students and professional archivists in North America.

Owner: Society of American Archivists. ⁵

Are published books peer reviewed? Yes. ⁶

Types of books published: Guides and guidelines, reference books, book series, essay collections.

Medium: Print and digital.

Topics covered: Trends in archiving practices, ethics, case studies, contemporary issues pertaining to archives, archivists, and allied professions.

Number of titles published per year: An exact number is unknown, but SAA has published over 150 books since the 1970s.⁷

About the publisher’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: https://www2.archivists.org/publications/book-publishing/guidelinesforbookproposals

Types of submissions accepted: Book prospectus

Submission and review process: “To begin the process of producing a new publication, author(s) submit a prospectus to the Publications Editor, addressing the following:

the theme, purpose and scope of the publication;
the estimated format and length of the publication;
whether the topic and approach are better suited to print or online format
an annotated outline or table of contents;
the intended audience and the potential market;
the prospective value to the archival profession;
the relationship of the proposed publication to the literature in the field;
the possibility of co-sponsorship with another organization;
the possibility of outside financial support;
graphics and illustrations the publication might use;
co-authors or contributors in the case of an edited work; and
the anticipated schedule for preparation of the publication.” ⁸

“Proposers should be advised that they will be asked to submit a writing sample of 10–15 pages, in a style reflecting the audience and tone of the proposed publication. The editor can provide more specific advice as proposals are developed.” ⁹

“The Publications Editor reviews the prospectus and sends it to the Publications Board, Director of Publishing and, if necessary, subject specialists. Depending on the author’s writing experience, two or more sample chapters and a detailed table of contents may be requested.” ¹⁰

Editorial tone: Professional.

Style guide used: The Chicago Manual of Style.¹¹

Conclusion: Evaluation of publisher’s potential for LIS authors

This publisher states in it’s goals that they wish to “nurture new and veteran voices” ¹² so there is potential for LIS authors across a broad spectrum of experience to be selected for publishing. This publisher is interested in works that speak to the needs of the archival profession, that align with strategic goals and core organizational values of SAA, and that are not already heavily represented in their current publications catalogs (unless new perspective is found).

Publishing with SAA focuses primarily on the archiving field, so it may not be an appropriate avenue for all LIS authors. However, there is some crossover in resources and initiatives with allied professions (libraries, museums, and historians). For example, SAA publishes a few books that have broader audiences (i.e. Exhibits in Archives and Special Collections Libraries and Archives in Libraries: What Librarians and Archivists Need to Know to Work Together). They occasionally partner with other allied professional associations to develop resources, such as the American Library Association.

Audience analysis

About the publisher’s audience

Size: SAA has 6,200 members.¹³

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: SAA primarily serves archivists and students within North America.

Reader characteristics: Readers of SAA publications are archivist students or professionals with a working knowledge in the field. Currently featured titles on their online store, including A Matter of Facts: The Value of Evidence in an Information Age, and Engagement in the Digital Era, indicate that many newly published SAA releases discuss contemporary issues in the field. ¹⁴

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Readers will have spectrum of experience and knowledge primarily in the field of archives. Readers may have less knowledge on other general LIS subject matter than readers of other LIS book publishers in the field.

Conclusion: Analysis of reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors

SAA’s website states that their publications are “largely driven by members. Members write articles, chapters and books which are then vetted by members on the Editorial Board and Publications Board, who strive to maintain SAA’s commitment to furthering best practices in the field.” ¹⁵ Potential authors can expect their publications to be read by professionals, and experts, in the field.

Last updated: April 25, 2021

References

Show 15 footnotes

Rowman & Littlefield

By Katie Wood on March 24, 2021 in

Publisher analysis

About the publisher

Name: Rowman & Littlefield

Website: https://rowman.com/

Purpose, objective, or mission: “Rowman & Littlefield is a leading independent publisher, with strengths in: Academic Publishing in the Humanities and Social Sciences, Publishing Government and Official Data, and Educational Publishing.” ¹

Its range of subject areas include library and information services, linguistics, communication, education, psychology, sociology, among others. ².

Target audience: Scholars, Instructors, and Professionals

Owner: Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group is an independent publishing group. ³ which also owns one of the largest book distributors in the United States, National Book Network (NBN). ⁴ The publishing group encompasses several imprints, including Lexington Books (specialized and scholarly research), and trade imprints such as Rowman & Littlefield Trade, AltaMira Press, Scarecrow Press and Sheed & Ward.

Are published books peer reviewed? Yes. Authors are asked to provide a list of four to seven potential peer reviewers when submitting a book proposal. ⁵

Types of books published: LIS-specific books run the gamut from primers and practical guides to both introductory and advanced textbooks.⁶

Medium: Titles are published simultaneously in print and e-book editions.⁷ Many books are supplemented with multimedia content.⁸

Topics covered: A range of disciplines across humanities and social sciences, government data, and education.⁹ LIS-specific topics cover management, archival studies, cataloging and classification, collection development, information technology, literacy instruction, and school librarianship. LIS series include The Practical Guides for Librarians, Library Technology Essentials, and Innovative Practices for Archives and Special Collections.¹⁰

Number of titles published per year: Approximately 1,500 academic, reference, professional, and trade books annually (all subjects).¹¹

In 2020, Under the subject of Library and Information Services, Rowman & Littlefield published approximately 37 titles. ¹²

About the publisher’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: https://rowman.com/Page/RLAuthRes

Types of submissions accepted: Proposals. They must include a prospectus (book description), Annotated Table of Contents (including a paragraph describing each chapter), Curriculum Vitae/Resume, 1-2 sample chapters, list of 4-7 potential peer reviewers, and marketing platform. For complete proposal details, please see the Submission Guidelines.

Submission and review process: Proposals for publication should be submitted via email to the appropriate acquisitions editor. ¹³ “The publisher will acknowledge receipt of a proposal within two weeks, and aims to render a decision on acceptance within three months.” ¹⁴

Editorial tone: Professional and scholarly.

Style guide used: Chicago Manual of Style, 16th ed., and Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th ed., as style and spelling guides. ¹⁵

Conclusion: Evaluation of publisher’s potential for LIS authors

Authors include leading academics and respected practitioners. The publisher is well established in its subject areas, and maintains a presence at academic conferences. Rowman & Littlefield is a highly reputable publisher for LIS authors with a proposal for an academic or professional development topic. “Our books for librarians, archivists, and other information professionals help them in their professional environment as they work to collect, organize, preserve, and make accessible information in all formats. Our books help practitioners and LIS students preparing to work in many types of organizations, including public, academic, special, and school libraries; archives; database providers; and other information centers.” ¹⁶

Audience analysis

About the publisher’s audience

Size (as measured by average number of copies per title published): A 2021 New Books in LIS catalog listed approximately 77 LIS titles geared toward students, professionals, and academics. ¹⁷

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: Rowman & Littlefield is based in the United States, and titles are published in English. Authors are experts and scholars based mostly in the U.S., UK, and Canada, and this may be reflected in the content of material. However, as Rowman & Littlefield is an international publisher, books are available to a worldwide audience.¹⁸

Reader characteristics: Readers have varying backgrounds within LIS, from management to technology, to instruction and research. Rowman & Littlefield texts are typically used in graduate and professional development courses, though many titles may be of interest to non-LIS readers.

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Readers are students, academics, and professionals with a strong knowledge of or strong interest in LIS subject matter.

Conclusion: Analysis of reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors

With diverse backgrounds, skills, professional duties, and interests, readers are likely seeking specialized LIS knowledge or best practices. Material is theoretical and practical, and provides professional learning for the LIS community.

Last updated: March 24, 2021

References

Show 18 footnotes

Routledge

By Katie Wood on March 24, 2021 in

Publisher analysis

About the publisher

Name: Routledge

*Note that Haworth Press was acquired by Taylor & Francis Group in 2007, and former Haworth books are now published by Routledge, a Taylor & Francis Group imprint.

Website: http://www.routledge.com/

Purpose, objective, or mission: “With reference-led content in specialist subject areas, we are advancing research and enabling knowledge to be discovered and shared. Together Routledge and CRC Press are the world’s leading academic publisher in the Humanities, Social Sciences, and STEM.”¹

“Routledge is a global publisher of academic books, journals and online resources in the humanities and social sciences.” ²

Mission Statement: “We reach around the globe with authoritative coverage of traditional and emerging fields, publishing the pioneering achievements of science and technology to provide professionals and students with the resources they need to make further advances.” ³

Target audience: scholars, instructors, and professional communities worldwide ⁴

Routledge has a specific Resources for Librarians page detailing catalogs, e-products and online references specifically for libraries, research series, and out of print titles.⁵

Owner: Taylor & Francis Group.⁶

Are published books peer reviewed? “All of our books are peer-reviewed at proposal and/or manuscript stage by respected academic specialists who provide independent advice on the content, quality, and potential market for a finished book, and our textbooks are widely researched and reviewed by active teachers in the field.” ⁷

Types of books published: “Research monographs, textbooks, handbooks/companion books, short form publications.”⁸

Medium: Print and online.⁹

“Nearly all our content is published in both print and electronic formats. We generally produce multi-use library books in hardback and books primarily designed for use and purchase by individuals in paperback.” ¹⁰

Topics covered: Education, Engineering, Humanities & Media Arts, Medicine, Mental Health, Psychology, Science, and Social Science. ¹¹

Number of titles published per year: “We publish thousands of books and journals each year, serving scholars, instructors, and professional communities worldwide.” ¹²

About the publisher’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: https://www.routledge.com/our-customers/authors/publishing-guidelines

Types of submissions accepted: Proposals for Research monographs, textbooks, handbooks/companion books, short form publications

Submission and review process: First, contact by email the appropriate editorial contact. ¹³. They will then request a proposal with specific information.

Here is a list of common or probable components of a proposal form to help you start
considering your proposal ¹⁴:
• Author/Editor names and affiliations
• Suggested book title (see also Making your work discoverable)
• Book description
• Keywords
• Table of contents
• Chapter abstracts and keywords
• Information about contributors (edited collections)
• Length and schedule
• Illustrations
• Advanced features (e.g. equations, special characters, etc.)
• Status of manuscript (e.g. “idea only” or “complete draft”)
• (CRC Press STEM authors only) Intention to use LaTex
• Breadth of market
• International appeal
• Primary audience
• Secondary audience(s)
• Relevant courses/organizations that may use your book
• Competing and related titles (including pros and cons vs your book)
• Third-party material
• Potential reviewers/referees
• Information on current or potential funding (e.g. for Open Access publication)
• Supporting material (e.g. CV)
• Online resources (textbooks for student audiences only)

“Please email your proposal as a Word document or compatible format) to your Commissioning Editor along with any supporting material (such as your CV). Please only submit your proposal to one editor at a time. If, upon receipt, the editor you have contacted feels it would sit better elsewhere, they will pass it on. Note that draft or sample material is only helpful in support of, but not as a substitute to, a comprehensive proposal form.” ¹⁵

Editorial tone: Professional and scholarly, but readable. The books potentially cover a wide audience including a variety of readers.

Style guide used: None specified. The Publication Guidelines lists a word document entitled “Notes for the Copyeditor”, listed under Essential Forms. Within this word document, the author is asked to specify a number of styling choices made in the manuscript. These include specifying punctuation, spelling, reference style, and use of acronyms.

Conclusion: Evaluation of publisher’s potential for LIS authors

Routledge is now owned by Taylor & Francis, which has a huge LIS audience and is where you can find a lot of print and online reference materials and publications targeted to students, LIS professionals, and academics. This is a prestigious publishing house that puts writers through a rigorous process just to get to publication; and once you’re there, there is the support of editors and the brand behind your finished book. This is an excellent group to consider proposing for an LIS specific book idea, as ideas can range from the very scholarly studies to more everyday topics that librarians or information professionals should be aware of.

Audience analysis

About the publisher’s audience

Size: Routledge is a global publisher of academic books, journals and online resources in the humanities and social sciences. ¹⁶

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: Routledge is operated by Taylor & Francis Group. “As one of the world’s largest publishers, Taylor & Francis maintains offices throughout the world including London, Brighton, and Abingdon in the U.K.; New York, Philadelphia, Florence, Kentucky, and Boca Raton, Florida in the U.S.A.; and Singapore, Australia, China, and India.” ¹⁷

“Your book (whether print and/or open access) will be marketed and sold worldwide. We have sales representatives spanning the globe who work with libraries, bookstores, academics, professionals, and third-party retailers to get the word out about your book and a global marketing team who specialise in reaching specific markets.” ¹⁸

Reader characteristics: “We are providers of quality information and knowledge that enable our customers to perform their jobs efficiently, enhance their education, and help contribute to the advancement of their chosen market sectors.” ¹⁹

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Varying. Most people seeking out Routledge books will most likely be academics, but whether in the LIS field specifically is not a given. However, Routledge readers are knowledgeable and educated, so assume a degree of understanding, and a quick learning curve, when referencing LIS subject matter.

Conclusion: Analysis of reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors

The primary readership of Routledge materials includes academics, librarians, and educators interested in new titles pertaining to LIS. This is a group that eagerly awaits new publications, and is notified through a variety of resources when new topics are published. Routledge is dedicated to the promotion of your publications to a wide, eager audience.

Last updated: March 24, 2021

References

Show 19 footnotes

Library Juice Press

By Katie Wood on March 1, 2021 in

Publisher analysis

About the publisher

Name: Library Juice Press

Website: http://libraryjuicepress.com

Purpose, objective, or mission: Library Juice Press is an imprint of Litwin Books, “specializing in theoretical and practical issues in librarianship from a critical perspective, for an audience of professional librarians and students of library science.” They publish topics such as “library philosophy, information policy, library activism, and in general anything that can be placed under the rubric of ‘critical studies in librarianship.'”¹

Target audience: Professional librarians and students of library science. ²

Owner: Litwin Books, LLC. ³

Are published books peer reviewed? “Our book publishing does not currently have a peer review process in place.” ⁴

Types of books published: LIS-specific books and manuscripts.

Medium: Print.

Topics covered: Library philosophy, information policy, library activism, and any topics under the rubric of “critical studies in librarianship.” ⁵

Number of titles published per year: In 2020, Library Juice Press published four titles. ⁶

Location of submission guidelines: https://litwinbooks.com/authors/

About the publisher’s submission guidelines

Types of submissions accepted: The publisher accepts book proposals and full manuscripts on topics that are within its editorial scope.⁷

Submission and review process:

If you would like to submit a manuscript, email it as an attached MS Word or RTF file using the appropriate email address below. Please follow the Litwin Books Submission Guidelines in formatting your manuscript. Please also attach 1) your CV, and 2) a separate document stating the intended audience and purpose of the book.

Book proposals should include the following:

The title of the proposed book
An outline
A list of already-published materials that you plan to include
Proposed deadline for submission of the final manuscript
A description of the book of between 100 and 500 words, stating the book’s subject matter, intended audience, intended purpose, and approach to the topic
A description of other works already published on the same topic that yours will be competing with.
A list of your prior publications
A relevant writing sample
Your CV⁸

Please send general book proposal submissions to inquiries@litwinbooks.com.

For book proposal submissions for the Series on Gender and Sexuality in Information Studies, contact series editor Emily Drabinski, at edrabinski@gc.cuny.edu.

For book proposal submissions for the Series on Critical Book, Publishing, and Literacy Studies, contact series editor Robert Montoya, at montoya@gseis.ucla.edu

For book proposal submissions for the Series on Archives, Archivists and Society, contact series editor Richard J. Cox, at rjcox111@comcast.net.

For book proposal submissions for the Series on Critical Race Studies and Multiculturalism in LIS, contact series editors Rose L. Chou, at roselovechou@gmail.com or Annie Pho, at anniepho@gmail.com.

For book proposal submissions for the Series on Critical Information Organization in LIS, contact series editors Violet Fox and Kelsey George at CritCat.InclusiveMetadata@gmail.com.

Editorial tone: Academic and professional.

Style guide used: “We do not require the use of a specific style guide. We do require that your chosen style is consistently and correctly applied throughout the work, whether a single authored work or an edited volume.” ⁹

Conclusion: Evaluation of publisher’s potential for LIS authors

Library Juice Press titles focus on theoretical investigations into library activism, social justice, feminist pedagogy, as well as practically oriented books like So You Want to Be a Librarian. The publisher produces serious, in-depth works with alternative perspectives. “Our independence from larger institutions gives us the freedom to offer critical perspectives that cut against the grain, as well as occasionally to give a scholar free rein with a work that is outside their usual publishing stream.” ¹⁰

A related and worthwhile opportunity to submit writing that is not book-length is Library Juice’s annual paper contest (2,000 to 10,000 words), which is designed “to encourage and reward good work in the field of library and information studies, humanistically understood, through a monetary award and public recognition.”¹¹ The contest is open to librarians, library students, academics, and others. “Acceptable paper topics cover the full range of topics in the field of library and information studies, loosely defined. Any type of paper may be entered as long as it is not a report of an empirical study. Examples of accepted forms would be literature review essays, analytical essays, historical papers, and personal essays. The work may include some informal primary research, but may not essentially be the report of a study.”¹²

Audience analysis

About the publisher’s audience

Size (as measured by average number of copies per title published): Publishing since 2006, Library Juice Press has approximately 60 published titles. ¹³

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: While the publisher is based in California and books are published in English, recent Library Juice Press titles focus on international perspectives—i.e., academic librarian labor activism in Canada, and librarianship in the context of the Cuban revolution.

Reader characteristics: Readers are interested in content that addresses: social responsibility; information as a public good; intellectual freedom and civil liberties; print culture, web culture, visual culture, and the meaning of literacy; information policy and ethics; and the state of the library profession (issues of identity, work life, and de-professionalization).

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Readers are professional librarians and students of library science who likely have a very strong knowledge of or strong interest in specific LIS subject areas.

Conclusion: Analysis of reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors

Library Juice Press originated as a webzine and blog, covering “topics of interest to passionate librarians from a political left perspective that is linked to the fundamental values of the profession.” LIS authors seeking to publish works that are politically oriented or rooted outside the cultural mainstream may potentially find an audience through Library Juice Press.

Last updated: March 1, 2021

References

Show 13 footnotes

Libraries Unlimited

By Katie Wood on March 1, 2021 in

Publisher analysis

About the publisher

Name: Libraries Unlimited

Website: https://products.abc-clio.com/LibrariesUnlimited.aspx

Purpose, objective, or mission: “Libraries Unlimited is committed to supporting the life-long professional development of educators and librarians through every phase of their careers. By librarians, for librarians, Libraries Unlimited believes in cultivating a community where professionals can explore emerging directions and acquire new skills to make your library’s potential truly unlimited.” ¹

Target audience: LIS students and professionals.

Owner: ABC-CLIO, LLC. ²

Are published books peer reviewed? Yes. Libraries Unlimited features an editorial team of ten award winning industry professionals.³

Types of books published: Textbooks, reference works, practical handbooks and professional guides. ⁴

Medium: Print and electronic.

Topics covered: Topics are wide ranging—from librarianship philosophy and values to informatics to folklore.

Number of titles published per year: 150 titles were published in 2020, and there are more than 2,000 currently available in both print and electronic formats. ⁵

About the publisher’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: https://www.abc-clio.com/lu-authors/

Types of submissions accepted: Textbooks, reference works, practical handbooks and professional guides.

Submission and review process:

Before sending your proposal, please email our acquisitions editors to review your ideas. Please provide the following information:

Working title
Purpose statement: explain the intent of the work, who it is for, and why it is needed
Scope statement: describe the work’s specific areas of coverage
Objectives: identify the benefits readers will derive from the work
Methodology: explain how you will research or compose the work
Tentative outline: show how the work will be organized
Competition or related works: identify similar titles and how your work will differ
Approximate length (in pages or words)
Résumé or bio statement: describe why you are qualified to write this book

NOTE: Our sample proposal template may help you prepare your materials. Click here to download the Libraries Unlimited proposal memo template.⁶

Please do not send your proposal to more than one editor. You may send a proposal by email to any of the editors below:

School Library Books
Sharon Coatney, scoatney@abc-clio.com

Public and Academic Library Books
Jessica Gribble, jgribble@abc-clio.com

Digital Publishing and General Inquiries
David Paige, dpaige@abc-clio.com

Libraries Unlimited has a dedicated team of experienced editors with years in the publishing field. An exact review process is unknown, but if your proposal is approved, editors will be with you every step of the way as your proposal becomes a manuscript and, in turn, a book.⁷

Editorial tone: Professional.

Style guide used: Unknown.

Conclusion: Evaluation of publisher’s potential for LIS authors

Libraries Unlimited may be a good fit for potential authors who have written extensively and have been published before. LU publishes longer works, such as reference books and textbooks, so they may be a good outlet for authors with heftier projects in the works.

Audience analysis

About the publisher’s audience

Size (as measured by average number of copies per title published): Libraries Unlimited is a larger publishing house, with over 2,000 titles currently available.⁸

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: Readers of Libraries Unlimited texts are English speakers, primarily in the United States.

Reader characteristics: Considering the company motto is “For librarians, by librarians”, it can be assumed that readers are LIS students and professionals with a working knowledge in the field. They will interested in any and all subject fields related to LIS. “Libraries Unlimited’s standing as a publisher in library and information science is unmatched. From our preeminent LIS textbook line, to cutting-edge professional development books for practitioners and classic library reference tools, our books and authors are leaders in the field.” ⁹

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Strong.

Conclusion: Analysis of reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors

Readers of Libraries Unlimited texts are looking to learn about cutting edge trends and acquire new skills, so potential authors with relevant new research and book ideas may find a good fit with this publisher.

Last updated: March 1, 2021

References

Show 9 footnotes

Facet Publishing

By Katie Wood on March 1, 2021 in

Publisher analysis

About the publisher

Name: Facet Publishing

Website: http://www.facetpublishing.co.uk/

Purpose, objective, or mission: Facet Publishing is “Facet Publishing, the commercial publishing and bookselling arm of CILIP: the library and information association, is the leading publisher of books for library, information and heritage professionals worldwide.” ¹

Target audience: “We publish a range of titles for practitioners, researchers and students with authorship from some of the leading minds in the field.” ²

Owner: CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals. ³

Are published books peer reviewed? “All new book proposals undergo a full single blind peer review process in order to fully evaluate and develop the content we commission.” ⁴

Types of books published: LIS professional books, textbooks, series and eBooks.

Medium: Print and electronic, though not all titles are available in both formats.

Topics covered: Over thirty LIS subjects are published by Facet, including subject headings such as Archives, e-Learning, Research Data Management, and Copyright, Information Law, and Ethics. ⁵

Number of titles published per year: According to Facet Publishing’s 2020-2021 Catalogue, they published almost 20 new products in 2020 and will be publishing another 11 in 2021, along with numerous new editions of older works. ⁶

About the publisher’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: https://www.facetpublishing.co.uk/page/authors/

Types of submissions accepted: “We welcome new book proposals for textbooks, professional books and monographs in LIS, knowledge management, data science, archives, cultural heritage and digital humanities.” ⁷

Submission and review process: Click HERE to go to the Authors Resources page, where you can download “Book Proposal Form”. You will need to complete the form as completely as possible, including details about the book, intended audience, subject areas, and a biography. Send completed form to: info@facetpublishing.co.uk

Editorial tone: None listed, but consider that Facet publishes for students and professionals already well versed in the LIS field.

Style guide used: Use the Chicago Manual of Style (CMS), 16th edition, as your primary style guide. http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/home.html

Click this link to find style guide information: How to Supply your Book to Facet Publishing

Style tips

Abbreviations & Acronyms: spell out the full name at first use, followed by the
acronym/abbreviation in parentheses. Thereafter, the acronym/abbreviation
will suffice. Do not begin a sentence with an acronym/abbreviation.
i.e. and e.g. should not be followed by a comma.
Apostrophes: Master’s not Masters.
Symbols: Ampersands (&) may be used in company names and are correct in
some journals but should not be used in running text.
Percentages: use the % symbol.
Bulleted/Numbered lists: bulleted lists are used for short points and do not
require punctuation at the end of each line. Ensure the list agrees grammatically
with the preceding sentence. Consider numbered lists for longer points.
Capitalisation: use initial capitals for proper nouns only. It is not necessary to
capitalise ‘library’ and ‘librarian’ unless a particular library or librarian is referred
to, e.g. Bodley’s Librarian or The London Library.
Quotations: use single quotation marks, with double quotation marks for
quotations within quotations. Quotations of more than 60 words should start
on a new line and be indented. Do not alter quotations to house style.
Reference to appear at the end of the quote in brackets: (Smith, 1998).
Numbers: use words for numbers one to ten and figures thereafter.
Dates: 9 March 2016; tenth century; 21st century; 1981–5 but 1914–18; 1990s.
Punctuation: no punctuation at the end of subheadings, figure captions or
table captions. No oxford comma before final ‘and’ or ‘or’ in lists.
UK ‘s’ spellings: ‘ise’

Bibliographic references (for more information see our Guide to Referencing)

Chicago ‘Author Date’ style is preferred. We also accept Harvard style. If you
wish to use any other style please discuss this with your commissioning editor.
Footnotes should not be used. Notes should be collated at book-end for
monographs and chapter-end for contributed volumes.
In-text references: the author’s name, date of publication (and page reference
if necessary) should be given in the text e.g. (Smith, 1998, 34–8).
List of references: references should be organised alphabetically by author’s
surname at the end of a monograph before the index, or at the end of each
chapter in a contributed volume. ⁸

Conclusion: Evaluation of publisher’s potential for LIS authors

Facet publishes across a wide array of LIS topics, making them a publisher to strongly consider no matter what your subject field may be. Potential authors should keep in mind that Facet requests very detailed information from each book proposal, so authors should have a clear idea of their marketability and relevance. Authors should be sure to carefully read the book submission guidelines to ensure that all questions have been addressed.

Audience analysis

About the publisher’s readers

Publication circulation: Based in the United Kingdom, but Facet has agents and representatives around the world. “Our business has a long-standing global profile. We market and sell books all over the world and the Facet brand is recognised as the home of quality content for the information professions.” ⁹

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: Facet is the bookseller for CILIP, a library and science information association in the U.K., though they emphasize that their publications extend into the international LIS world. They have representatives and agents in countries all over the world, making publications available to a world wide audience.

Reader characteristics: Readers of Facet publications are information professionals. Facet’s bestselling publications include titles such as Managing Records: A handbook of principles and practice and Practical Cataloging, so it can be assumed that their readers have more than a casual knowledge of LIS subject matter.

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Readers are students, academics and professionals with a strong knowledge or strong interest in LIS subject matter.

Conclusion: Analysis of reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors

Facet publishes for an audience in and outside of the United Kingdom. Their works range from LIS textbooks to simple ‘No-nonsense’ guides about topics such as archives and legal issues in Web 2.0, showing that Facet’s readers vary in their knowledge on contemporary LIS topics. This span in readership could make Facet a viable publisher for potential authors across many different subjects.

Last updated: March 1, 2021

References

Show 9 footnotes

Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL)

By David Ballantine on November 2, 2020 in

Publisher analysis

About the publisher

Name: Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL)

Website: http://acrl.org

Purpose, objective, or mission: From the About page: ACRL is a professional association dedicated to enhancing the ability of academic library and information professionals to serve the information needs of the higher education community and to improve learning, teaching and research.”¹ From the ACRL Guidelines & Standards, “ACRL is the source that the higher education community looks to for standards, guidelines and frameworks on academic libraries.”²

Target audience: Academic Libraries and the LIS field practitioners.³

Owner: Association of College & Research Libraries, a division of the American Library Association (ALA).⁴

Are published books peer reviewed? One subset of ACRL book publishing is their Publications in Librarianship (PIL) program, which is a peer reviewed series of monographic volumes.⁵

Types of books published: ACRL publishes books under three programs: ACRL general book imprint, Publications in Librarianship (PIL), and College Library Information on Policy and Practice (CLIPP).

Generally the book types is related to LItS Professional Development. This includes monographs of interest to the LIS field and academic libraries that are based on research, ideas, and scholarly thinking. They publish books that offer “practical, prescriptive advice” to help academic libraries worldwide function optimally; showcase “innovative research;” take on contemporary issues; and envision the future of libraries. are research studies, theoretical monographs, or practical tools-based volumes for the practitioner. ⁶ ACRL publishes monographs for academic librarians so they can advance in career development, effectively manage institutions, and stay tuned on what’s happening in librarianship.⁷

Medium: Print is their main medium. There are also currently a handful of digital publications available in pdf format, but that is not ACRL’s primary publishing method.⁸

Topics covered: Information literacy, copyright and scholarly communication, research in academic librarianship, trends in academic libraries, leadership and organizational development, management, collection development, information access, and information literacy.⁹

Number of titles published per year: ACRL published 14 books during the two year period of 2018-2019¹⁰

About the publisher’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: http://www.ala.org/acrl/publications/publishing

Types of submissions accepted: Proposals, completed manuscripts, or dissertations, accompanied by a Publication Proposal Form. See ACRL’s Call for Book Proposals for specifics on suggested topics for Publications in Librarianship.¹¹

Submission and review process: From the guidelines: “The first step in proposing your book is reaching out to ACRL Content Strategist Erin Nevius at enevius@ala.org to discuss your idea.”¹² Then complete a proposal form. ACRL recommends to have an outline ready that shows organization of the proposed book and subjects covered.¹³ The ACRL Content Strategist will work with you fo clarify or add any additional information, until the proposal review is finalized which can take about 4 weeks. Then it will be submitted to the relevant editorial review board ¹⁴

Editorial tone: ACRL asks “that it fits into ACRL’s prescriptive ethos, and will contain how-to tips and strategies that readers can immediately apply to their work.”¹⁵

Style guide used: ACRL uses The Chicago Manual of Style, for endnotes and bibliography.¹⁶

Conclusion: Evaluation of publisher’s potential for LIS authors

Authors with a proposal for an academic library topic, or a proposal for furthering the professional development of any librarian or information professional would do well to consider ACRL for publication. ACRL is an outstanding ALA division with a large member base,¹⁷ and reaches hundreds of libraries. In addition, the editorial staff is able to provide dedicated support and editing assistance to authors to ensure the most professional product possible.¹⁸ ACRL publications are promoted through its catalog,¹⁹ and at the ALA store,²⁰ meetings and conferences, with articles and promotional notices appearing in C&RL at the time of publication. ACRL is a trusted organization, excellent to consider for publication.

Audience analysis

About the publisher’s audience

Size: ACRL has a large audience: Through their marketing program, they send out a press release, make an announcement on social media and newsletters, send about 100 copies to libraries, made available online such as the ALA Store and Amazon; as well as with international distributors, send review copies to journals, and will be featured at ALA/ACRL Conferences.²¹

In addition, ACRL is the largest division of the ALA, with more than 10,000 members.²²

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: National and, on occasion, global. ACRL is based, like ALA, in Chicago, IL.²³ American English, leaning towards issues in American academic libraries.

Reader characteristics: The association, as an ALA organization and publisher, is interested in continuing the education and providing professional development for academic librarians and information professionals.²⁴ Academic libraries and scholarly research. Strongly dedicated to providing high quality LIS information.²⁵

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Strong. Not only is ACRL devoted to academic libraries, but it is part of the ALA.²⁶ Expect editors and eventual readers to be very knowledgeable about LIS topics.

Conclusion: Analysis of reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors

Any publishing group that calls the ALA home is a good place to query your LIS proposal, and ACRL is no exception. The largest division of the ALA, ACRL currently has a membership of more than 10,000 members, accounting for nearly 20% of the total ALA membership.²⁷ Readers will be keen to hear of new titles from this small, discriminating imprint.

Last updated: November, 2, 2020

References

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ALA Editions | ALA Neal-Schuman

By David Ballantine on September 18, 2020 in

Publisher analysis

About the publisher

Name: ALA Editions | ALA Neal-Schuman

Website: http://www.alaeditions.org/

Purpose, objective, or mission: Publishing resources for librarians and LIS professionals worldwide “to improve programs and services, build on best practices, enhance pedagogy, share research, develop leadership, and promote advocacy..”¹ ALA Editions | ALA Neal-Schuman is interested in publishing coverage of any library type, including cross-disciplinary topics, and is dedicated to diversity and inclusion. They cater to wide and varied audiences.²

Target audience: “Library and information professionals, faculty and students, researchers and scholars, archivists and other cultural heritage professionals, and library advocates.”³

Owner: American Library Association (ALA)⁴

Are published books peer reviewed? Proposals and manuscripts undergo an internal review, and, depending on the title, are reviewed by peer advisory boards.

Types of books published: Print and digital.⁵ Notably, among many types of publications, they publish highly regarded textbooks used in LIS programs.

Medium: Print, digital, and interactive formats.⁶

Topics covered: Coverage of publications “spans” the types of libraries namely academic, public, school, and special libraries. They are interested in cross disciplinary topics such as copyright, censorship, ethics, law, and sustainability. Overlapping disciplines are desired as well including information studies, archives, and records and information management. ⁷

ALA Editions | ALA Neal-Schuman encourages authors to consider how diversity and inclusion impact their topic. “We are dedicated to acquiring and creating content that reflects the unique experiences and backgrounds of librarianship. We want readers, library staff, and patrons to feel empowered by the written word and reflected in the books and content that we publish..”⁸

Number of titles published per year: In 2019, ALA Editions published 65 new titles and distributed more than 200 titles for its publishing partners, which include Facet Publishing and the Society of American Archivists

About the publisher’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: https://alaeditions.org/write-with-us/

Also click here to download PDF of proposal guidelines: Download Proposal Guidelines (.docx)

Types of submissions accepted: ALA Editions | ALA Neal-Schuman is interested in proposals that:⁹

Have clear subject, scope, content, and approach.
Are distinct and compelling
Fit an intended market and audience
Stand out from the competition

Types of submissions the publisher is not interested in: This publisher is not interested in proposals that:

Have unclear value to intended audience(s)
Offer outdated perspectives
Do not value diversity and inclusion

Submission and review process: Start by submitting your proposal here. Email your query or proposal to the appropriate member of the editorial team: click here and scroll to bottom of page for editors’ contact info. The three editors specialize in these areas respectively: LIS education, archives, and special libraries; Academic libraries and Library Technology Reports; Public and school libraries. They will consider completed manuscripts but inquire before submitting them.

Allow 6-8 weeks for evaluation.¹⁰

For more information, such as details on what happens after your manuscript is submitted during the productions process, please see the Author Guide.¹¹

Editorial tone: Employ appropriate tone that is suitable for your intended audience such as library and information professionals, scholars, students, and educators. ¹²

Style guide used: Utilize The Chicago Manual of Style (CMS), 17th edition, primarily. Also use Merriam-Webster (MW), 11th edition, as your primary dictionary; and Garner’s Modern American Usage for questions not answered in CMS.¹³

Conclusion: Evaluation of publisher’s potential for LIS authors

The ALA is a widely recognized and respected LIS resource, consulted by librarians and information professionals worldwide. ALA authors are leaders in their field, and so having a manuscript accepted for ALA Publication would provide authors with a large market for potential readership, amongst LIS professionals and peers. ALA Editions | ALA Neal-Schuman work closely with authors to market their work, both before and after publication. This includes promotion, distribution, exhibits, and many other marketing avenues. ALA Editions | ALA Neal-Schuman has their own catalog, and the ALA has an online store.¹⁴¹⁵ From the Writer Guidelines: “Your work is in the hands of seasoned professionals. We develop, manufacture, and market your project in a way that draws good reviews and customer interest.”¹⁶

Audience analysis

About the publisher’s audience

Size: This is a very large, encompassing publishing house. ALA Editions | ALA Neal-Schuman sends their catalog to over sixty thousand recipients twice per year. Books are listed in the online ALA store, which has over fifty thousand visitors per month.¹⁷

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: Although based in Chicago, IL, ALA Editions | ALA Neal-Schuman publishes and reaches librarians and LIS professionals around the world.¹⁸ ALA Editions | ALA Neal-Schuman “publications are promoted, translated, and distributed worldwide.”¹⁹

Reader characteristics: This is the more professional ALA publishing imprint, focusing on LIS professional development and improving library services. Readers are interested in library and information science, with backgrounds varying from librarian, educator, LIS administrators and professionals. ALA is the premier Library and Information Science group around, and it would be well worth any author’s time to try to work with them. Their bias is simply pro anything LIS, rather than other publishing houses who have an LIS focus. With ALA, LIS is everything.²⁰

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Strong, as this is the imprint of the American Library Association.²¹

Conclusion: Analysis of reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors

You’re guaranteed a knowledgeable audience eager for new LIS material when you publish with ALA. Not only are ALA Editions | ALA Neal-Schuman books marketed on the ALA website (including ALA Store), but they’re promoted at ALA conferences and events, emailed to a huge mailing list, and heavily marketed through a partnership with Amazon. Readers of ALA Editions | ALA Neal-Schuman books are seeking LIS material specifically, and will most likely be up to date on your subject matter or, if not, curious to learn from like-minded professionals in the field. This is the first stop publisher and organization for anyone seeking LIS reading material, and is an excellent group to be a part of.

Last updated: September 18, 2020

References

Show 21 footnotes

Chandos Publishing

By Rachel Greggs on February 22, 2018 in

Publisher analysis

About the publisher

Name: Chandos Publishing

Website: https://www.elsevier.com/books-and-journals/chandos-publishing

Purpose, objective, or mission: Chandos is “an international leading publisher in contemporary library and information science, and social science. With a truly global perspective, Chandos produces high-value resource books combining theory and practice for researchers, academics, and practitioners. “¹ They are an imprint of the publishing house Elsevier, founded in 1880.

Target audience: LIS professionals and those in the social sciences fields.

Owner: Elsevier

Are published books peer reviewed? Yes. Elsevier’s book proposal form asks potential authors to list three experts in the field who could provide input as part of the book’s review panel. All proposals are read by Elsevier editorial staff and selected external reviewers.²

Types of books published: Reference, textbooks, research books.

Medium: Print and digital.

Topics covered: Over 300 titles are incorporated into the following key series:

- Information Professional Series
- Social Media Series
- Learning and Teaching Series
- Asian Studies Series³

Number of titles published per year: In 2020, Chandos published five books in the LIS field.⁴

About the publisher’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: https://www.elsevier.com/authors/book-authors

Types of submissions accepted: “We offer a range of digital and print products to suit different subject areas, information types and customer needs. These include: reference, textbooks, fast-turn content, Major Reference Works, Reference Modules, stories and serials, laboratory and practical manuals, and atlases.” ⁵

Information that needs to be included in your proposal:

Working Title
Key Words
Author(s) and/or editors(s)
Aims and scope/Background and purpose
Your intended audience and benefits
Competing resources
Table of contents
Publishing Timeline
Sample content/chapter
Qualified reviewers

To access the official Proposal form, see Submissions process section HERE

Submission and review process: Download and fill out the proposal and send the completed form to our proposal mailbox including the following details in the subject line of your email: Proposal in (subject area) / (author name: working title)⁶

Editorial tone: Professional. The home page for Chandos Publishing states that they produce books for researchers, academics and practitioners.⁷

Style guide used: Unknown.

Conclusion: Evaluation of publisher’s potential for LIS authors

Though Elsevier is a large publishing house that is heavy on journals, LIS book authors could possibly find a good fit with Chandos. In 2020, some of their published book titles included Disaster Planning for Special Libraries, Future Directions in Digital Information, and Technology, Change, and the Academic Library. ⁸Elsevier is especially supportive of less experienced researchers and authors. Their website Researcher Academy offers in depth teaching modules to help authors learn about getting their works published and promoted.

Audience analysis

About the publisher’s audience

Size: Chandos is a sizable LIS publisher. Their online catalog shows 598 books currently in print.

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: Though Elsevier’s headquarters is in the Netherlands, Chandos states that they are an international publisher for the global LIS community. They feature a book series entitled the Asian Studies series, producing titles such as China’s Publishing Industry and Scholarly Communication in China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Chandos also publishes international titles such as Succession Planning in Canadian Academic Libraries and Australian Library Supervision and Management.

Reader characteristics: Readers of works published by Chandos will likely be LIS academics and professionals seeking out books on specific subject matter.

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: The home page for Chandos publishing states that they publish for “researchers, academics and practitioners,” so authors can assume that readers could potentially have an expert knowledge in the field.

Conclusion: Analysis of reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors

Readers of works published by Chandos are LIS professionals located all over the world. With works such as Disaster Planning for Special Libraries and The Impact of Print-On-Demand on Academic Books, it’s clear that readers come to Chandos with well defined information needs that pertain to specific areas within the LIS field.

Last updated: February 22, 2018

References

Show 8 footnotes