The book publishing process can be daunting to even the most seasoned author. Below, our editorial staff has listed some tips to make the process from pitching to promoting easier to understand.

  • It can be helpful to discuss your work with an editor prior to submitting a full proposal and chapters to check whether the topic is a good fit with the TC Press list, and to get a few tips on how to present your ideas most effectively.  We are usually happy to set up a phone conversation or a face-to-face meeting at a conference for this purpose.
  • If you’d like to speak with us at a conference, please do schedule an appointment ahead of time. Our days are filled with meetings. It’s most effective for us to get a sense of you and your work prior to meeting, rather than pitching at the booth. Editorial contact information can be found here.
  • First time sending a proposal? Make sure to include all components listed in our guidelines! Please don’t send a full manuscript without any background information. This is not helpful for us to review.
  • Make sure to identify clearly and succinctly the overall argument that your book project will make, and to foreground it early in the proposal.  Your chapter outline should make clear how each chapter will contribute to that overall argument.
  • As you’re putting together your Table of Contents and sample chapters, it can be very helpful to pick a few recent TCP titles to use as model texts to get a sense of our books’ typical length, organizational scheme, and style.  Your Acquisitions Editor can suggest relevant titles, if necessary.
  • If you have questions about our editorial process or the current status of your proposal, please feel free to e-mail us and ask.  During particularly busy times of year (especially right before conferences such as AERA, NAEYC, NAME) it may take us a bit longer than usual to respond, but we do want to help.
  • It is very important as you write both the prospectus and the manuscript itself, to keep in mind the main one or two audiences you envision for your book.  Then, as much as possible, you should tailor your writing and organization to these audiences.
  • It is also helpful to keep in mind what you see as the need for the title; why is this particular book needed? And how will it enhance or change the field of education in general and/or the specific niche that you are addressing?
  • Once the book is out, it’s time to promote! Work with our marketing team to announce the book to relevant communities and network. The marketing team can provide you with promotional materials, social media graphics, list serv announcements and more that you can use. An energetic author is the best marketing tool.