Quick Answers
Some of the questions we're most frequently asked by new and prospective authors:
What does A&M Press publish?
How do I submit a proposal? (Click here for a printable proposal outline)
Are multiple submissions acceptable?
How will I know if my manuscript has been accepted? How long does it take?
May I pay to have my book published by A&M Press?
Will you show my manuscript to the rest of your consortium? Other publishers?
What does A&M Press publish?
We're interested in...
- Regional (Texas and Southwest) history
- Military history
- Business history, especially Texas and Southwest, and especially that related to the oil industry
- Natural history and natural sciences
- Agriculture and range ecology
- Presidential studies
- Anthropology and nautical archaeology
- Borderlands, multicultural, and women's studies
- For other topics, inquiries may be addressed to our acquisitions assistant: dlv@tampress.tamu.edu
We don't publish...
- Poetry
- Family memoirs or genealogy
- Fiction
- Children's books
- Cookbooks
(back to top)
How do I submit a proposal? (Click here for a printable proposal outline)
- If one of our editors requested your manuscript, click here. If not, go to the next step.
- Make sure your manuscript fits an area we're interested in (see "What does A&M Press publish?"
, above).
- Send us a query letter including the following:
·
What your book is about, why it's important, or what issues, questions, or problems it addresses.
·
How your book differs from others in the same subject area, or why your book is unique.
·
The audience for your book. Be as specific as possible.
·
Why you are uniquely qualified to write this book.
·
Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of esteemed experts in your field.
·
When you expect to have the completed manuscript ready (unless it is already completed).
- Send a synopsis of your book that includes
·
A table of contents.
·
A description (length; illustrations, if any; format).
·
A chapter summary.
- Send us a vita or brief professional summary, including previous publishing experience, if any.
- Send at least one sample chapter of your book, if possible.
- If you wish your materials returned to you, please include a stamped, self-addressed envelope with sufficient postage for the materials we are returning. Due to the volume of unsolicited manuscripts we receive, we cannot be responsible for packages without return postage included. DO NOT SEND US THE ONLY COPY OF YOUR MATERIALS; ALWAYS KEEP YOUR ORIGINALS.
(back to top)
Are multiple submissions acceptable?
The answer to this question depends on what stage your proposal has reached. If this is an initial proposal, prior to the submission of the complete manuscript, we will accept your submission even if it is currently being made to other publishers. However, once we have requested a full manuscript for evaluation, we do not accept multiple submissions due to the expense—in money and time—of soliciting peer reviews and performing the editorial preparation and other labor involved. Full disclosure is the best policy at this stage.
(back to top)
How will I know if my manuscript has been accepted? How long does it take?
We try to respond within three to four weeks. If the project looks promising, we will then arrange to have the manuscript reviewed by at least two readers outside the Press—people qualified to evaluate the contribution of the manuscript to its field. This part of the process typically takes two to four months but can take longer.
(back to top)
May I pay to have my book published by A&M Press?
Even if you or someone you know is willing to completely fund the publication of your book (a process sometimes called "subsidy publishing"), the Press does not accept works unless they meet the standards and criteria we have established. Some of our authors do obtain underwriting for their publishing projects, and while the Press encourages this and is happy to work with individuals and organizations interested in supporting our overall program or one of our areas of interest, we do not consider or approve any manuscript for publication unless it contains material of scholarly, historic, scientific, regional, or other interest in one or more of our targeted subject categories .
(back to top)
Will you show my manuscript to the rest of your consortium?
The Texas A&M University Press consortium is a distribution group. Each member press has its own, independent editorial program. Consult the relevant press for its submission interests and requirements.
(back to top)
