Author Guidelines for Book Proposals

The proposal is a description of the purpose and content of your book. It should answer three basic questions: What is this book about? Who is it for? Why is it needed?

A well-developed proposal helps authors to organize and refine their ideas. In addition, it helps both the publisher and external reviewers fairly and accurately assess the value and quality of the proposed work. A proposal is usually between 10 and 20 pages in length.

Your proposal should contain the following:

1. A brief description of the book. Explain the subject and approach of the book and how it will benefit the reader. What are the special features that make your book unique? Will it contain illustrations, tables, graphs? What is your estimate of the length of the completed book?
   
   
2. Audience for the book. Who will want to buy/read your book? Please remember that “organizations” don’t read books—people do. Be as specific as possible in identifying your intended readership by job title or function. If your book will appeal to a more general audience, explain why.
   
   
3. Competitive and related books. Which books, published within the past five years, cover the same subject as yours? How is your book different and/or better than these competitive works? If there are no direct competitors, list related books. Please include publishers and prices.
   
   
4. Detailed Table of Contents. A clearly defined table of contents with subheadings and descriptive narrative will illustrate the depth of the text and help the publisher understand exactly what will be covered.
   
   
5. Sample chapters. When possible, please provide a chapter or section of a chapter that best represents the writing style and level of presentation of the book. If your proposal does not include this material, you may be asked to provide it after the proposal has been reviewed.
   
   
6. Author information. Please provide a resume or vita indicating positions held, degrees, publications, and any other information relevant to your credentials for writing this book.
   

In the event we are unable to pursue this project with you, if you would like us to return your hard-copy proposal and any associated materials, please include a stamped, self-addressed envelope along with your submission.

Mailing Address

Please submit proposals to the appropriate editor at the following address:
AMACOM Books
American Management Association
1601 Broadway
New York, NY 10019

Editorial Contacts

Ellen Kadin
Executive Editor
Specialty: Marketing, Career, Personal Development
ekadin [at] amanet [dot] org

Christina M. Parisi
Executive Editor
Specialty: Management, Human Resources, Leadership, Training
cparisi [at] amanet [dot] org

Robert Nirkind
Senior Editor
Specialty: Sales, Customer Service, Project Management, Finance
rnirkind [at] amanet [dot] org

AMACOM Contacts

President and Publisher
Hank Kennedy
hkennedy [at] amanet [dot] org