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Guidelines for prospective authors and review process
We are always happy to discuss new ideas with prospective authors and to read and review manuscripts and book proposals. In the first instance please contact Tom Scheirs by e-mail t.scheirs@intersentia.be.
Manuscripts
If your manuscript is written and you are seeking to submit it, we will usually require the following:
1. The manuscript either printed on A4 paper in a legible font (10pt or larger) or digital in Word.
2. A brief author CV
3. A critical literature review, analysing the relationship between the book and other similar or potentially competitive books either published or in the course of being written
4. A note from you detailing any revisions you intend to make and the approximate length of time you expect to take to make them.
If the manuscript is not yet written and you are seeking a contract to write it, we will usually require the following:
1. A table of contents
2. A brief description of the book (150-300 words)
3. A critical literature review, analysing the relationship between the book you are planning to write and other similar or potentially competitive books either published or in the course of being written
4. A brief author CV.
Review Process
What will happen to your book proposal?
Complete manuscripts are initially assessed in-house. If we feel that the proposal is in line with our quality requirements and fits in our focus areas, we will seek the opinion of at least two referees. These referees – always authorities in the relevant field – will be sent an anonymous copy of the proposal or manuscript.
We ask our referees to send us their opinion of its suitability for publication together with any suggestions for revision or enlargement/shortening. This stage may take up to 3 months or more. We will only ask you to wait this long for our decision if we are of the view that the manuscript or proposal is prima facie suitable for our list and that, if the review is a favourable one, we will offer to publish.
As soon as we have received a reply from our referees, we will send you their remarks, which will also be made anonymous. If we and our referees think the manuscript is publishable and that it is suitable for our list, we will notify you of this.
If we think that the work is not suitable for the list, or is not publishable in its present form and we do not wish to consider it further, then you will be notified of this within one month. The script will be retained and destroyed after a further month unless you request its return in writing.
If you are submitting a proposal for a book which is as yet unwritten then we will follow the same steps outlined above, assessing the proposal in-house and making use of expert referees.
In exceptional circumstances we may accept simultaneous submission to another publisher, but you must tell us at the time of submission that the proposal or manuscript is also being submitted elsewhere so that we can decide at that point in time whether or not we wish to commence our own review process.
Publication
If we agree to publish your manuscript or to commission you to write a book for us then you will receive our written offer to publish.
If we proceed with your proposal we will ask you to submit a complete manuscript on an agreed date.
Production usually takes between 3-4 months depending upon the length, complexity and topicality of your book. If a language review is required, the production time may be extended with 1-2 months. If there is a particular date by which your book needs to be published in order to take advantage of a significant marketing opportunity then we will make every effort to ensure that it is published by that date.
Your manuscript will be copy-edited by an experienced, legally qualified editor and you will be consulted about any major changes and may be asked to answer queries.
At the next stage you will receive page proofs and will be asked to check and correct them within a short period. Unless other arrangements have been agreed you may also have to produce an index and any necessary tables.
You will be given a schedule at the outset and you will be kept informed of progress at frequent intervals. You will be consulted about the design and appearance of your book and you will also be asked to assist us with marketing by suggesting suitable journals which may wish to review the book, teachers who may want it for classroom use and conferences/societies whose delegates/members may be interested in seeing details of the book.
We undertake a wide spectrum of marketing designed to draw attention to our books. This includes preparing catalogues and entries for our web site, producing printed publicity materials, seeking reviews, displaying books at conferences and advertising in leading law reviews.
Our books are stocked by booksellers in many countries and by our agents and distributors throughout the world.
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