Author Guidelines
Xephor Press is seeking innovative titles for Life and Career critical skills, Self Help and Home Learning. If you want to send us a book proposal, please read the following guidelines and send to:
M.G. McClelen
Managing Director
Xephor Press
3 Holly Hill Lane
Katonah, NY 10536
USA
mg.mcclelen@xephorpress.com
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Why are you writing this book? To begin, tell us what prompted you to write this book. Is your book based on some research you've been doing? Is it based on a recent work experience or a project recently completed? In other words, give us the "backstory" of what made you to decide to write this book, and how your book differs from other books already available on this topic. And why you're uniquely qualified to write on this topic. Some of this information will lead into answers of the next questions.
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Who is your intended audience or ideal reader? Be as specific as possible: that is, don't tell us "everyone" will be interested in your book. We all hope that's true, but let's start with a core audience and build from there. For example, if you're writing a business book, identify what industries would be most interested in your book, and what area of management (e.g., finance, marketing, sales, manufacturing, distribution, customer service, human resources, etc.). If possible, also specify what level of management or employee would be most interested in your book: e.g., is it intended for CEOs only? for middle managers? Or for anyone who supervises even just one employee, for example, an assistant?
If you're writing a general-interest non-fiction book, let us know what level of information, education, and knowledge of your topic you expect your ideal reader to have. For example, if you're writing a personal finance book, is your reader a novice, someone who has no knowledge of budgeting, saving, investing, and financial planning but wants to be able to talk intelligently to his/her financial planner? Or are you writing for a more sophisticated reader who regularly reads The Wall Street Journal, Barron's, Money, and other financial planning magazines and who wants to do his/her own financial planning? Or are you writing for someone who does his/her own trading, actively?
Finally, when writing your book, keep in mind that we would like to market your book internationally, to readers outside the U.S. Therefore, try to keep an international reader in mind when you cite company case studies, statistics, or anecdotes. In other words, don't mention only American companies; try to think and write more broadly so that we can successfully expand the market for your book to a global audience.
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Why do readers need help on the topic at this time? Tell us why you think your readers will be most interested in your topic now. Are there recent trends or developments that have increased interest? If so, support this claim: for example, mention (or, even better, send copies of) articles that point to a need for new information on your topic, especially in well-known and well-read publications like The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and other major urban newspapers, as well as major magazines. If your topic is regional or specific to one industry, then articles in more regional or industry trade publications would be appropriate. And wherever possible, cite statistics that support growing trends.
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How does your book meet the need you have identified? Tell us specifically how your book will address your topic. Describe what you think is special or unique about your book. For example, you may have a fresh approach to a common problem, based on work experience you've had or research you've completed recently. Or you may have a unique point of view. (Some of this information may overlap with and segue into the information you'll provide about competing books.)
What's new in your book? Describe what information your book will provide that hasn't been shared before. What perspective do you have that's unusual or unique? What experience do you have that shows you're an expert in this area? (Again, this may segue into your discussion of competing books.)
What are some competing or related books?Even if you think your book is truly unique, chances are something has been written in the past that could be viewed as competition with your book. For example, there may be books that cover only one aspect of your topic, and if so, describe those books and how your book is more comprehensive. On the other hand, there may be other books that are broader in scope and therefore not as in-depth as your book, so describe how your book is more focused than those and why such a specific focus is needed. Try to cite current or recent books, unless there is some classic book in your field that is still read but that you feel is out of date, in which case describe how you think your book will improve or update that information.
In addition to books that may directly compete with your book, other books may be "related" to your book, and you should list these as well, with a brief explanation of how each relates. For example, if you're writing a book on negotiating salary in a job-hunting situation, you might cite other negotiating books, even if they're not career guides - e.g., Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In or Getting Past No: Negotiating Your Way from Confrontation to Cooperation. Of course, you should point out that these books are general guides, rather than specific to salary negotiations, which is the specific subject of your book.
Similarly, if there are books that are similar to yours in tone or format, but not in topic, you might want to mention these as well. For example, suppose you're writing a self-help book that's similar in format to The One-Minute Manager (i.e., a very short book that uses a fable to teach a management lesson), cite that book even if your topic has nothing to do with management. This will help us get a better idea of your vision of your book.
In all cases, list the following information for each book: the title, author (s), publisher, and publication date.
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Why is your book more relevant and practical than other books on the same subject? As discussed above, compare your book with each competitive and related book you cite. This analysis does not need to disparage the other books, but you do need to show us what's new and different about your book, so that we can effectively market and promote your book once it's published. These differences might be as simple as the fact that your book is based on recent research, whereas other books are older and out of date. Or you may have special expertise that sets your book apart. Or you may be presenting information in a new format, writing style, or tone.
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Outline of contents and chapter-by-chapter description. Your proposal should include a detailed outline of your book. This is not simply the Table of Contents, which usually consists of chapter titles only; instead, the outline should include at least a paragraph - but no more than a page! - on each chapter. Describe what the chapter will cover, why it's important to the book as a whole, and any special features that the chapter will include: e.g., charts, tables, figures, photographs, worksheets, case studies, anecdotal stories that support your thesis, etc.
How many pages do you anticipate the manuscript will be? This information is important so we can envision what the printed book will look like. You should type your manuscript using a double-spaced format (and print it single-sided), and most authors use standard 12-point Times Roman type. A 3:2 ratio of manuscript-to-printed pages is a good estimate of how long your book will be. For example:
- if you want your book to be 100 printed pages, you should aim to write 150 manuscript pages;
- if you want your book to be 250 printed pages, you should aim to write 375 manuscript pages, and so forth.
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What is your timetable from chapter 1 to complete draft of your manuscript? This information obviously helps us plan when we can publish your book once you've completed the manuscript, and book planning often happens years in advance. Most authors require at least 6 months to 1 year to write a book (depending on the length of the book, of course).
To help you estimate this, think about how much time you needed to write the first chapter, and project from there. Don't assume that subsequent chapters will be easier or go faster, on the theory that "once I get going, this will be a breeze!" Although it is true that you may gain some momentum, you should also figure in other work responsibilities and deadlines, as well as vacations, business-related travel, possible family obligations, and even writer's block. Also, you should leave some time for revisions, which will help your book be the best representation of your ideas.
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If available, submit the proposal with two or three sample chapters. The more we can see of the book you plan to write, the better we can evaluate your ideas. In general, it's best to start with your first chapter, though if this is an introduction, we'd also like to see Chapter 1, which begins the body of your book. If you're sending another chapter, send your best chapter or the chapter you think best represents the type of information or format or special features of your book. And if you plan to include exhibits in some chapters, send us a chapter that features these.
Also, keep in mind the total length of your book when writing chapters. For example, if you intend your manuscript to be 360 pages, and your book features 10 chapters, then each chapter should be approximately 36 pages. Of course, every chapter does not have to be exactly 36 pages: some might be 30 and some might be 40 pages. But if your first 3 chapters are only 10 pages each, you're never going to meet your goal, and your manuscript may be only 100 pages - which makes for a very thin, 70-page book! And although many people don't like to read and want a concise book that they can read quickly, they still expect a serious non-fiction book to be substantial: 200-250 pages is typical for most trade non-fiction books.
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Please attach your biography.
Although this is listed last in these guidelines, your bio is critically important. It should not be simply a resume or curriculum vitae (which is too long for our purposes). Instead, your bio should do the following:-
Clearly state what your occupation is - e.g.:
- "John Doe is a psychologist and life coach for people seeking career or job changes."
- "Jane Doe is the Chief Financial Officer for Delta Airlines."
- "Jack Smith is a management consultant specializing in manufacturing productivity for Fortune 500 firms."
- Tell us how many years of experience you have in your field.
- List all major companies you've worked for; if you're a consultant or freelancer, list some of your more well-known corporate clients.
- Include all relevant associations or organizations you belong to and companies on whose board you've served.
- Describe any major awards you've received in your professional life.
Provide a list of recent workshops and seminars you've conducted or courses you've taught, with the date and the number of people in attendance (as well as a general description of the background of attendees). If you have upcoming conferences, seminars, and workshops already scheduled, even better: include a list of those as well, with estimates of how many people might attend. This information helps us determine the size of a potential market of "back-of-the-room" sales of your book, once it's published.
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Clearly state what your occupation is - e.g.:
- List all books you've previously written (if published), with the publisher's name, date of publication, price, sales history, and reviews, if you have copies, as well as any articles you wrote that have appeared in major magazines or trade publications (and include copies, if you have them). If you've been quoted in major publications, mention those (and include copies). And if you've appeared on TV or radio programs, tell us which, when, and what was the topic of the interview or segment.