Monograph Publishing
The process of proposing and publishing a monograph is highly particular to a scholar's field and career situation. This guide offers a set of trusted resources that orient you to the general process. For personalized guidance, please contact contact Taylor Davis-Van Atta, Director of the Digital Research Commons at UH Libraries.
Resources that provide advice on selecting publishers:
- Publisher of OA Books WikiThis is a trusted, up-to-date directory of Open Access Monograph publishers.
- Subject Area Grid from the Associate University PressesThe Association of University Presses publishes this subject grid annually. Use the grid to help you identify presses that publish in your field.
- Think Check SubmitThis site includes a series of questions you can ask yourself to help you walk through the process of being a savvy author and avoiding untrustworthy publishers. It is the joint effort of a large number of trusted organizations involved in scholarly communications.
Library Resources:
Writer's Market 2020 by Call Number: PN161 .W83ISBN: 1440301220Publication Date: 2019-11-05Considered as the most consulted guide by writers looking for publishers! This is a yearly publication. The library has the book up to the most current edition.
Writer's Market Guide to Getting Published by Call Number: PN161 .W832 2010ISBN: 9781582976082Publication Date: 2010-03-31This book gives you the inspiration and instruction you need to achieve long-term success in an ever-changing industry.
- Best Practices for Peer Review, Association of University PressWhile this handbook was written for and by scholarly publishers, the overview of the peer review process is informative to all participants in scholarly book publishing.
- Guide to open access monograph publishing for arts, humanities and social science researchersThis guide is from OAPEN-UK (Online Library & Publication Platform). It helps researchers to understand the opportunities and challenges of publishing a scholarly monograph in open access.
Most academic presses require you to submit a proposal for your monograph in order to initiate the publishing process. Presses should make their proposal guidelines available on their website. If they do not, you may contact the press to request their guidelines. Below are a few examples. You will want to seek out guidelines from presses in your field and follow them closely as you begin the process.
- Harvard University Press proposal guidelinessProvides advice around the basic components and considerations in a book proposal, specific to Harvard University Press
- Oxford University Press proposal guidelinesOutlines the process for crafting and submitting a monograph proposal to Oxford University Press
Library Resources
How to Write a Book Proposal by Call Number: PN161 .L37 2010ISBN: 9781582977027Publication Date: 2011-04-18The book outlines how to create an effective, nonfiction book proposal in a clear, step-by-step manner.
Getting It Published by Call Number: PN161 .G46 2016ISBN: 9780226281407Publication Date: 2016-04-08Getting It Published offers a clear, practicable guidance on choosing the best path to publication.
- Jane Friedman.comJane Friedman reports and consults on publishing industry. Her blog provide advice on a wide range of topics related to book publishing.
- Give It a RestAn article written by Laura Portwood-Stacer. The article discusses why you shouldn't immediately try to convert your dissertation into a book.
- Scholars Talk Writing Series, Chronicle of Higher EducationThis is a continuing series on Chronicle of Higher Education. In this series, Rachel Toor, a professor of creative writing at Eastern Washington University’s writing program, interviews scholars about their writing process and influences.
- Why it is important to write a book proposal for an academic book?Rachel Toor tells you why it is important to write a book proposal, and the elements you should include.