Proofing and editing textbooks for submission to educational publishers

The preparation and submission of a proposal or prospectus for your educational textbook is a crucial element in the publishing process. The more information you are able to convey as to the field in which the work will be used, the scope of its contents, the level being addressed, its target audience and why you consider your textbook fits that market, the more likely an educational publisher will respond positively to your prospectus.

"To write what is worth publishing, to find honest people to publish it, and get sensible people to read it, are the three great difficulties in being an author."
- Charles Caleb Colton 1780-1832
British Sportsman-Writer

WordsRU - Proofing textbooks for educational publishers

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Is your textbook applicable to a particular readership demographic or will it have broader, national and international appeal? Is there a possible market outside the school or university system? Is there a particular chapter that is especially supportive of the picture you are presenting of your work? If so, then that is the one that should accompany your proposal to educational publishers.

In summary, your proposal or prospectus should mount a convincing case for the publication of your educational text. Along with a professional edit by one of WordsRU’s academically qualified and experienced editors or proofreaders, it is the best way of ensuring that your manuscript receives the careful, considered publishing evaluation that it deserves. It is also important to recognize that your proposal will be of particular benefit to your writing for it will serve as a writing tool, a map: perhaps the preface, and will certainly help keep you and your project on track.

Your educational publisher requires a prospectus from you in order to make an informed assessment of your project. To ensure that your proposal submission satisfies publisher criteria, it is worth taking the time to obtain a copy of their submission guidelines (which may vary according to your chosen field), and details of any other requirements that may be applicable. Our professional editors and proofreaders can help make sure you have covered all the required elements, and that your document is free from grammatical, spelling, tense, punctuation and typographical errors.

SUMMARY —ITEMS TO INCLUDE IN A PROPOSAL CHECKLIST:

What you are presenting to your educational publisher is an overview of your mission for the book, its concept and underlying philosophy (this can be in the form of a synopsis to the work or a preface – both of which can be used for the book proper), and should include the following:

Detailed list of contents – TOC; again this can be used in the actual book.

The course and level to which the work is most suited.

Define the target audience and any broader readership demographics.

Summarize the key features that make the book unique or specially suited to fill an existing gap in the market.

Give an estimate of the length of the work and its composition – tables, graphics, exercises, supplementary material etc., and whether it will contain either an index or a glossary, or perhaps both.

Does a specific pedagogy apply? Is there a particular approach or new teaching strategy that differentiates your work from that of others in the field? These are the aspects that make your presentation unique and they should be emphasized in your proposal.

Prepare a brief analysis of the weaknesses of existing competitive product in the same field and how that contributes to a niche, an opening, for your work.

Are any supplementary materials required? Prioritize them if more than one, and mention any Web-related technologies that may apply.

Don’t forget to include your own CV or Résumé along with any previous publishing achievements.

Many of these points apply equally to the submission of university calendars, instructional handbooks, academic conference proceedings, student guides, and user guides generally. Each will benefit from a professional edit or proofread before submission, and strengthen the confidence that comes from knowing your manuscript has been checked for grammar, spelling, punctuation, syntax and typographical errors as well as any other areas of concern.

FAQs – Frequently asked questions about WordsRU’s online editorial service

Can you help me find a publisher?

No, WordsRU has no affiliation or association with any publishers. It is our experience that our customers prefer our independence – and exclusive commitment to them, and getting their work the way they want it.

Should I send my work to a literary agent or a publisher or both?

Do some research first and see what is appropriate to your type of manuscript and then focus on one literary agent and publisher at a time, rather than employ a scattergun approach.

Do I wait until I have finished my manuscript?

For general works of fiction and non-fiction, yes. An unfinished manuscript from a first-time author is generally not welcomed by publishers.

What is a synopsis?

Your synopsis (see book publisher for expanded comment) provides an overview of the complete story from beginning to end. Overview is the operative work; it contains all the key elements, but not the detail.

What is a story outline?

A story outline (see book publisher for expanded comment) is a breakdown of the novel from beginning to end, chapter by chapter and scene by scene. It is a ‘map’ to your story; it can, and should, be changed to reflect character developments, variations and detours that may occur as your narrative progresses.

Why should I prepare these documents?

Your publisher may require them. The story outline keeps you on track, making sure there are no loose ends; no episodes that go nowhere or characters who turn up and then disappear; that aspects that need to be resolved. The synopsis is a condensed version of the story outline and along with the publishers, editors find both documents to be helpful as they work through your manuscript.

Why should my manuscript be edited (including proofreading)?

Because a professionally edited manuscript offers you the best chance of receiving a positive response from both agent and publisher – it is evidence that you have committed to the process, and to ensuring your work is in the best possible shape.

WordsRU’s professional online editing service will also help by ensuring your submission to educational publishers is correctly set up and formatted; that there are no gaps in the information, and that it is presented clearly, concisely and consistently. Moreover, our editorial service will also make sure that your manuscript is in compliance with your educational publisher’s submission guidelines.

We edit - you take the credit!

View our book testimonials from published authors.

WordsRU Writer Services:

WordsRU will ensure that your educational text book receives a thorough edit before you send it to a publisher.

SUBMIT YOUR REQUEST FOR A COMPLIMENTARY, NO OBLIGATION ASSESSMENT AND DETAILED QUOTE NOW!

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