Publishing Programs
Manuscript Submission
What should I send and how should I prepare it?
Thank you for your interest in publishing with Oxford University Press. In order for us to best assess the publishing potential for your project, please include these elements in its presentation:
1. A prospectus describing the project
The prospectus should include the following:
- Overview: in one or two paragraphs describe the rationale for the book, its scope, purpose, the approach and pedagogy behind it, and the components you envision.
- Outstanding features: Highlight what you consider to be distinctive features of the work that will attract teachers' attention to it and make them want to use it.
- Intended audience: Which levels (beginning, intermediate, etc.) and market sectors (elementary, junior high, high school, college, adult) is the material best suited for? ESL and/or EFL? If EFL, which countries? Do you see it as a basic course book or as a supplementary book--for which courses? Speak from your own experience. How do you know the material works with a particular sector? Have you used it with your students? Have other teachers tried it out?
- Competition: If similar books are now available, list the three most successful ones that compete with your text most directly. What do you see as their strengths and weaknesses? How does your book improve on each one?
- Components: Describe the teacher's manual, audio tapes, workbooks, picture cards or other ancillary components necessary to the project, if any.
- Status of project: What portion of the manuscript is now written? When do you expect to complete it? About how long will the manuscript be (in double-spaced pages)? How many and what type of figures (i.e., drawings, photos, charts, etc.) do you envision? Are you planning to include any copyrighted material (e.g., cartoons, songs, poems, other art or text) that would require permission?
2. A detailed table of contents or scope and sequence
The table of contents should be as detailed as possible. The overall syllabus including major topics and subtopics for each chapter should be described. Do this in the form of a Scope and Sequence chart if possible.
3. One or two sample chapters
Your sample chapters should be representative of the level, approach, and writing style used throughout the book. It is advisable to submit any chapter you feel is innovative. Chapters need not be consecutive.
4. Your resume
Your resume should be up-to-date, and reflect your education, professional experience, and previous publications.
Editorial schedules are generally very demanding and it takes time to properly evaluate a proposal. Please allow 2 - 3 months for your proposal to be evaluated.
Where should I send it?
New York
Send your prospectus to our New York office if your project is primarily intended for :
- students of American English either in North America or overseas (This may include materials intended for teachers as well as long as they are designed to accompany student materials.)
Oxford
Send your prospectus to our Oxford office if your project is intended for:
- students of British rather than American English
- teachers exclusively (eg., professional background reading not attached to a student text)If you would like to submit a Teacher Development proposal, or if you are an author wishing to make contact about a proposal, please email ELT.TeacherDevelopment@oup.com
New York Office
Attention: Director, ESL/EFL Department
Oxford University Press
198 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10016
Oxford Office
Attention: Publishing Director, ELT Department
Oxford University Press
Great Clarendon Street
Oxford OX26DP, England
