The Ohio State University Press

Guidelines for Book Proposals

As academic book publishers, we primarily concentrate in literary and culture studies of all types, including narrative theory, Victorian studies, critical ethnic studies, gender and sexuality studies, medieval studies, and classics. We are also publishing scholarship in rhetoric. As the book publishing branch of the Ohio State University we also feel it's important to publish regional books that are of interest to the citizens of the state of Ohio, primarily about their history, environment, and culture. In addition, we publish the winning manuscripts of our poetry and prose prizes and other creative works.

Scholars proposing manuscripts for publication should submit whatever materials they feel are necessary for the acquisitions department at Ohio State University Press to make an informed decision about the project.

A typical book inquiry might include the following:

a general description, or overview of the proposed book
a table of contents, including a brief precis for each chapter
a sample chapter, if available
a word count of the project (including bibliography, notes, etc.)
an analysis of the expected audience, or market, for the book
a round-up of competing books (if any exist), and a brief explanation of the uniqueness of the proposed book
a curriculum vitae

Kristen Elias Rowley is Editor-in-Chief and acquires critical ethnic studies, gender and sexuality studies, and creative works. Eugene O'Connor is Acquisitions Editor for Medieval Studies and Classics. Lindsay Martin is Acquisitions Editor for all other Literary Studies. Tara Cyphers is the Acquisitions Editor for Rhetoric. For trade or regional books, contact Tony Sanfilippo. Please submit all proposals electronically via email.

OSUP accepts and considers manuscript proposals year round for all of the areas in which we publish. If you are unsure whether your project is a good fit for our list, please query an editor before sending your proposal.

Please email your proposal, as an attachment, to the relevant editor, or to the Editor-in-Chief. Please do not send an entire manuscript unless you are directed to do so by an editor.

If an editor decides to consider your project further, he or she will request the entire manuscript, if it is available. . If an editor decides to consider your proposal for publication, he or she will then send your work to at least two peer readers for review. The review process can take anywhere from three to six months. Positive recommendations to publish are presented to the Press’s Editorial Board for formal approval to offer a publishing contract. Once a final book manuscript is delivered to the Press for publication, it takes about ten months to complete the production process, including copyediting, typesetting, printing, and binding.

Regional works may or may not undergo the peer review process depending on the nature of the manuscript. Questions about the regional book review and acquisitions process should be directed to Tony Sanfilippo.