Publishing FAQ

Below you’ll find answers to some questions I’m frequently asked. I’ve broken these questions into two sections: those geared toward authors/potential authors, and those geared toward publishing professionals/those looking to get into publishing.

For Authors

Which subject areas do you acquire?

For the most part: evolutionary biology; ecology; animal biology (including ornithology); aquatic biology; conservation biology; statistics and data analysis; plant science and forestry; disease ecology and epidemiology; and molecular biology and biochemistry.

Do you acquire Very Short Introductions (VSI) books?

I do not. If you have a VSI pitch, please reach out to either Lucy Randall or Tom Perridge, but ***please note,*** editors acquiring the VSIs have a specific and vetted list of topics they are looking to acquire, so uncommissioned VSIs are not commonly accepted.

Do you acquire books for the What Everyone Needs to Know series?

Yes, and I have specific proposal guidelines for books in that series. If you would like to pitch a topic for the series, please write to me directly. Like the VSIs, however, there is a specific list of topics we look for, and uncommissioned proposals are on the rare.

I’m not sure which OUP editor to contact about my proposal. Help?

Start by looking over the OUP editor profiles here. If you’re still unsure or if your project crosses disciplines, send a message to the editor whose subject areas seem most closely aligned to your project and ask how to proceed. Depending on the editor and how they prefer to work, they may direct you to both/all editors, or they may invite you to submit directly to them and will determine after a quick look at the proposal or project overview who is best positioned to evaluate the proposal.

What is your/OUP’s policy on AI?

Please see here.

I am traveling to X conference and wonder if you will be there. Is it ok to stop by the booth and introduce myself? Should I set up a time to talk with you beforehand?

You should always feel free to stop by the OUP booth, say hello, and introduce yourself. There is no need to schedule an appointment to do so, though you are welcome to. My contact details are on the contact page.

Please note that my conference attendance changes year to year based on scheduling, budgeting, and availability of other OUP editors—particularly in the Journals division—to staff the booth.

Are you available to speak on a panel or give a talk about the book publishing process to my department/lab/institution?

Yes, probably. Please send me an email with details of the event.What do you look for in a proposal? Is there anything I can do to make my book stand out?

I have standard proposal guidelines that I’m happy to send to anyone who asks. There is no one answer to the “stand-out” question, but I recommend checking out Laura Portwood-Stacer’s resources for more in-depth information on how to successfully pitch your book.

How long does the publishing process typically take from start to finish?

There is no real “typical” in publishing in my experience. It depends on the book type, the review process, how long it takes you to write, how long the book is, etc. etc. There are points in the process at which I can start making more concrete predictions about schedule, but educated guesses at very early stages should be taken with a very large grain of salt.

I’m based in or visiting Oxford or New York City. Could we meet up to discuss my project?

Sorry but no; I’m based outside Boston in the US.

What are the differences between professional/academic books, crossover books, trade books, and textbooks?

Professional or academic books are typically written by scholars for scholars with a much more narrowly defined or specialist market than general trade books.

Crossover books aren’t quite mass market general trade books, but they aren’t strictly professional books either. Crossover books may have potential to cross a number of disciplines and may potentially appeal to an educated and interested general reader, as well as some major media outlets.

Trade books are general interest books you might expect to find on the shelves of your local neighborhood bookstore or featured on Science Friday. They should be jargon-free, accessible, engaging, argument-driven books intended for a wide general audience. Please note that OUP trade books, while engagingly written, are still expected to be rigorously researched and presented. I’m often asked whether trade books are expected to be “dumbed down.” The answer to that is no.

Textbooks are intended primarily for course use. Any of the above book types may also see adoptions of course, but textbooks typically have additional materials (e.g., questions, solutions manual) and the primary and often sole market is course use.

I sent a proposal a while back and haven’t yet heard back. When is it ok to follow up?

Please follow up with me every few weeks. Emails go to spam, holidays set me back, and with a toddley in daycare, I’m usually under the weather these days. I apologize for any delay in replying, but please also do not wait months to nudge me. I am trying my best!

For Publishers and Future Publishers

 

I am interested in getting into publishing and/or academic publishing. Do you have any advice?

Look for entry-level positions and/or internships/paid internships, the latter of which I think are less common at the moment unfortunately. It’s nice to start in the department you’re most interested in if there’s a position available, but if not, publishing is a very collaborative profession, so even if you know you ultimately want to be an editor, starting in marketing, sales, production…any department at a publisher will give you useful knowledge and experience working in any other position—not to mention, it can be easier to land a job in another department at a Press where colleagues in that department already know you from working with you in publicity or sales or whatever other department.

Do you spend most of your day reading books and manuscripts?

I wish, but no; I do not.

Does the OUP offer internships?

Yes. More information about the program can be found here.

I’m interested in working as a freelance manuscript editor, translator, developmental editor, or sensitivity reader. May I send you my CV and editing samples?

You are welcome to, yes.

Do I need an advanced degree to work in academic publishing?

No.

Would you be willing to chat over zoom or the phone and answer some more specific questions about publishing and my career prospects?

Yes, please feel free to reach out via email.

I have a project/paper due in which I have to interview a publishing professional. Would you be willing to take part?

Yes, depending on scheduling. Please feel free to reach out via email.