Proposal Submission Guidelines

ESRC Genomics Network - Genetics and Society Book Series
Proposal Submission Guidelines

Procedure

Prior to developing a complete manuscript, authors should submit a detailed book proposal.

Downloadable Book proposal forms are available
Guidelines to support the completion of the proposal form are detailed below.

Completed forms to Helen Greenslade, Editorial Manager - greensladeh@cardiff.ac.uk

All emails should be marked `Book proposal’ and include the first author/editor's name – file names of any attachments should also include the author/editor's name.
 
On receipt of a proposal, the Series Editors will make a preliminary decision regarding the topic's relevance to the scope of the Book Series. They may also provide constructive comments and suggestions for developing the proposal.

Each proposal is reviewed by at least one member of the Editorial Board, and by two independent peer reviewers. The proposal will be judged on the basis of relevance to the scope of the Book Series, originality, topicality, rigour of thought and contribution to the field of genetics and society. Decisions on publication are based on referee reports, series editors’ assessments, and market expectations.

Timescales - Authors will be notified of acceptance, rejection, or the need for revision of their proposal within eight to ten weeks. The Editorial Board will decide on whether to recommend inclusion of a proposal in the Book Series, however, the final decision on whether to offer a publishing contract rest with the Senior Editor at Routledge.

The aim is to complete the entire process within four months of submission of a proposal. If a proposal is accepted for publication the ESRC Genomics Network will act as a liaison between the authors/editors and Routledge offering guidance on submissions. The typical time between submission of a manuscript and appearance in print is nine months.

Special Circumstances - Authors or potential guest editors wishing to explore options outside of these submission guidelines should contact Helen Greenslade at the editorial office.

Helen Greenslade
Editorial Manager, Cesagen
Cardiff University
6 Museum Place
Cardiff CF10 3BG

e-mail: greensladeh@cardiff.ac.uk

Tel:  02920 – 875389
Fax:  02920 – 870024

Guidelines for Completing the Book Proposal Form

Manuscripts should be between 60,000 and 90,000 words (including references, illustrations, tables and captions) before being considered for review.
Proposals for research monographs, ‘key ideas’ texts, handbooks, textbooks, and edited collections will be considered.

The scope of the proposal should cover some aspect of the ethical, legal, social, economic or political aspects of:

• tissue engineering, enhancement, and cloning
• genetic modification of foodstuffs and other organisms
• neuroscience and neuroethics
• genetic screening and testing 
• stem cell research and reproductive technologies
• psycho-social aspects of medical genetics and gene therapy
• the social and ethical issues surrounding biomedical innovation
• Public engagement and political discourse
• representations of genetics across the media and cultural spheres
• regulatory policy and governance of biomedical research and its human applications  
• the sociology and anthropology of bio-science and bio-technology 
• bioethics 
• the economics of new biomedical technologies and their place in the ‘knowledge economy’

In order to properly evaluate a book proposal, we need to receive certain essential information. The proposal form includes questions intended to help assess a proposal in terms of intended readership, the market, and suitability for inclusion in the Book Series.  

Proposal Form

Title and subtitle      
    A working title will suffice.
Author(s)/Editor(s)
    Please include names of all contributors if an edited collection.
Affiliation     
    We require details of all contributors’ affiliations
Address
    Please supply lead/contact author’s address including e-mail and telephone

Book Type
Indicate whether the proposed book will be a handbook, edited collection, monograph, textbook etc.
Delivery Date
We will require a precise proposed delivery date for the completed manuscript.
Number of words    
Number of words – (inclusive of footnotes and references).
Short Blurb
    Provide an accurate description of your book in one or two short sentences. (max. 50 words)
Concise Blurb    
    Outline the rationale for the book including the main theoretical, practical and methodological content of the book. Please mention your motivation and particular qualifications to write/edit the work. (max. 250 words)
Key Features
What do you see as the main selling points? Emphasise the unique aspects such as origin, content, style, and methodology. Provide four or five key points including any special features of the book that would be of interest to your intended readership. Specify its relevance, topicality and/or originality. Include any new findings, facts, theories or viewpoints that the book contains.

Market and Readership

Subject Areas
Please indicate how you would expect your book to be categorised in a bookshop or library.  
Level
Clearly indicate the type of publication and the intended academic level of the  book’s audience.
Overseas    
Please identify any areas outside the UK and US where your book has particular relevance.
Reviews
Please list any key journals or publications that are likely to review your book. It would be helpful if you could provide a contact name (reviews editor).
Competing titles    
Please provide a list of publications that your manuscript will compete with. Please include author(s)/editor(s), title, publisher, and price if known.
Your comments are an opportunity to state why your book is better.

Description of Manuscript

Contents
Please provide a table of contents with chapter titles.
Introduction
A concise overview and description of the work proposed. (max. 250 words)
Chapter outlines    
We shall assess the structure and quality of the proposed manuscript by the information provided in your chapter outlines. (max. 250 words per chapter)
Author Biography
At this stage, we require a short narrative biography which should include details of your qualifications for writing the present work. (max. 200 words)

General Information
Further information on manuscript formatting will be provided once a proposal is accepted for publication, but adherence to Routledge editorial guidelines from the outset will minimise revisions and shorten the overall editorial processing time. For a copy of Routledge guidelines please contact Helen Greenslade at the editorial office - details above.

All authors are responsible for obtaining copyright permissions and reproduction rights, including on-line reproduction rights. Any fees required to obtain illustrations or to secure copyright permissions are the responsibility of authors.

Authors not fluent in English should have their text professionally proofread before submission.