Submitting a book proposal is often the first real contact between an author and a publisher. It is not just a formality, but a way to start a professional dialogue about how your work can fit within our editorial program. A proposal helps us understand the academic value of your idea, its potential audience, and the type of publication it should be considered for. It also helps you, as an author, to organize your argument and define your book’s identity before investing months of writing effort.

We receive proposals from researchers, professors, and professionals at different career stages. Some have already completed a manuscript, while others are still refining their ideas. In every case, what matters is not perfection, but clarity: a clear research focus, a coherent structure, and a purpose that connects with the broader scholarly community.

Understanding what kind of book you want to publish

Before you begin drafting your proposal, it is essential to determine what type of book you are proposing. Our catalog includes several categories, each with its own editorial approach and evaluation process.

A research monograph details the findings of a single author’s in-depth study, often building on or revising a doctoral dissertation. An edited volume is a collection of chapters from various authors coordinated by one or more editors around a common theme. Conference proceedings gather peer-reviewed papers or abstracts from academic events, while textbooks and reference works are designed for educational or professional use, typically featuring learning tools or organized references. We also publish illustrated books aimed at making scientific or cultural content more accessible to wider audiences.

Each typology follows a unique path in our editorial process, outlined in detail on our Editorial Process page. Understanding where your book fits helps us assign the right editors and reviewers from the start, and it enables you to prepare a proposal that emphasizes what makes your work suitable for that category.

Structuring your proposal

A complete proposal usually includes the following sections:

1. A title and subtitle that express the essence of your work.
2. A summary or abstract explaining the central question, the theoretical or methodological framework, and the main objectives.
3. A table of contents with short explanatory notes for each chapter.
4. An indication of the estimated length, number of illustrations or tables, and the language of submission (English, Spanish, or Portuguese).
5. Information about your academic affiliation, previous publications, and any collaborators if applicable.

For edited collections, it is also important to describe the process for selecting and reviewing chapters. You might already have a list of invited authors or plan to issue an open call for submissions. In either case, editors are responsible for maintaining academic quality and coordinating double-blind peer reviews before final acceptance, as outlined in our Ethical Publishing Policies.

Explaining the contribution and significance

Every proposal should answer a few simple but crucial questions:

What new perspective does this book offer to its field? How does it connect to existing works? Why is it relevant now? These questions are not just evaluative; they help us understand how the book advances knowledge and where its intended audience might be.

When describing your contribution, focus on its intellectual value rather than promotional claims. Avoid phrases like “the first book ever written on…” and instead explain the gap it fills, the debates it addresses, or the methodologies it uses that make it unique. Editors evaluate originality and scholarly relevance based on these elements, along with the rigor and ethical consistency of your project.

About design, data, and supporting material

An academic book is both a piece of research and a designed object. If your work includes visual materials—such as figures, images, datasets, or tables—mention them in your proposal so we can review design and rights requirements beforehand. Keep in mind that any third-party content must have permissions and proper attribution, as outlined in our ethical policies regarding the use of external materials and copyright.

We encourage authors to include supplementary files, data appendices, or visualizations whenever they enhance the work, as long as they follow transparency and data-sharing standards.

Transparency and funding

In academic publishing, transparency goes beyond just authorship. If your project has institutional or financial backing, or is part of a research grant, please include this information in your proposal. This helps us determine if your book might benefit from an institutional or sponsored model, as explained on our Publishing Models & Licensing page.

Disclosing funding sources is not a condition for acceptance, but part of the integrity and openness that we promote throughout our editorial process.

Style and presentation

A strong proposal reads naturally, with clarity and confidence. It doesn’t require rhetorical flourishes or overly technical language. Write it as if explaining your project to a colleague from another discipline—clear enough to be understood, yet rigorous enough to show depth. Use a formal tone, avoid clichés, and ensure coherence among the aims, structure, and expected outcomes.

Before sending it, review the document carefully to ensure all sections are complete. You can use the official Book Proposal Template available on the Publish Your Book page. Once ready, proposals can be submitted directly to books@pro-metrics.org or through the online form.

A final word

A book proposal is not merely a marketing tool; it is a professional dialogue built on trust. When you express your idea clearly and responsibly, it helps editors and reviewers see its value. Publishing is a collaborative effort where ethical awareness, transparency, and mutual respect are just as important as academic quality.

If you spend time preparing your proposal with those principles in mind, you will not only boost your chances of approval but also strengthen the foundation of a lasting relationship with your publisher—and, more importantly, with your readers.