In a recent article for the Chronicle of Higher Ed, Rebecca Colesworthy (SUNY Press) explains the process of reaching out to an editor for those who are preparing a scholarly book manuscript. Colesworthy notes that many factors contribute to what constitutes a strong topic for a particular editor, including aspects of the proposed book like its “fit,” “idea,” and “topic.” The author notes that while it can be helpful to have connections with editors prior to submission, that it is by no means necessary. Colesworthy encourages “messy but exciting” book proposals and encourages authors to be confident when submitting book proposals that have been requested by an editor. “Editors don’t always know what we find exciting until presented with it,” writes Colesworthy.
