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
I’m not sure which MITP editor to contact about my proposal. Help?
Start by looking over the MITP 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.
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?
My usual conference circuit includes HSS, SHOT, and 4S. You should always feel free to stop by the MITP 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.
**As of fall 2022, I will also be attending ASIS&T
Do you accept proposals and/or manuscripts authored or coauthored by artificial intelligence language models, e.g., ChatGPT?
No.
Does the MIT Press have a policy on the use of ChatGPT?
Yes. Please visit the author resources page of the MITP website here for more information.
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 MITP 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 course adoption of course, but textbooks typically have additional materials (e.g., questions, solutions manual) and the primary and likely sole market is course use.
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. As for making your project stand out from the pack, I will aim to write a longer blog post about this and link to it here.
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 life in general during COVID times has me scrambling. I apologize for any delay in replying, but please also do not wait months to nudge me. I am trying my best!
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.
For Publishers and Future Publishers
I am interested in getting into publishing and/or academic publishing. Do you have any advice?
Yes. I will work on a longer blog post about this and post a link to it here.
Do you spend most of your day reading books and manuscripts?
I wish, but no; I do not.
Does the MIT Press 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?
Freelance editors and sensitivity readers should send their materials to the managing editor, whose contact details should be listed on the MIT Press staff list. Translators are welcome to reach out to me with a CV and a list of references.
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?
Yes, though I prefer not to take meetings with prospective job candidates during open hiring processes outside of any invited interview. Please feel free to reach out via email otherwise.