Ashgate is a leading indepdendent press dedicated to publishing the finest academic research. What are Ashgate’s tips for first time authors? We offer four short tips, and one long document to read…
1. Do follow the publisher’s submission guidelines (these are usually available online).
2. Do focus on why your book should be read, not only on what it is about.
3. Don’t send the entire typescript if you’ve completed it. A single sample chapter will suffice in the first instance.
4. Don’t use the wrong publisher’s name and thus reveal that you’ve sent the proposal to lots of different presses!
5. Do visit the Author section of Ashgate’s website, where you will find (amongst other helpful information) advice on transforming your thesis into a book. Look for the link entitled “Transforming your Thesis into a Book” on the“Proposal Guidelines for Humanities Authors” web page. Although intended for Humanities academics, the advice is generally applicable to those from Social Science subject areas too.
Charlotte said on June 7, 2010
Ashgate have contined this thread over on their own blog too:
http://ashgatepublishing.wordpress.com/2010/06/04/how-to-transform-your-thesis-into-a-book-what-are-ashgate%E2%80%99s-tips-for-first-time-authors/
Lilly Bell said on December 22, 2010
self publishing is kind of difficult at first, but you can easily learn the tricks of the trade *`*
Arlette Vanpatten said on January 28, 2011
`.* I am really thankful to this topic because it really gives up to date information :.,