INFORMATION FOR AUTHORS

Potential authors are welcome to contact Concordia University Press editorial staff with questions about the submission process or with preliminary inquiries about a specific project.

The Press invites submissions for books and pamphlets. Before submitting a proposal, you may wish to have an initial conversation with the Press's Acquisitions Editor to confirm that your project fits within the Press's editorial program. Following a preliminary conversation, a comprehensive book proposal will give the Press a clear understanding of what your book is about, its contribution to the literature, why it should be published, and if Concordia University Press is the appropriate publisher for the work. A proposal should include the following:

• A short narrative description of the book including its title and subtitle, central arguments, and scholarly goals.
  

• A description of the book’s potential audience and its relationship to existing scholarship. How does your book differ and break new ground?

• A table of contents that provides paragraph-length descriptions of each chapter. A proposal for an edited collection should include details on the contributors.

• The estimated length and date of completion, number and type of illustrations, as well as special requirements for the preparation and production of the printed and digital book, including any multimedia components.

• Any potential sources of funding that you may have available for your project.

• Your curriculum vitae.

Concordia University Press does not publish unrevised dissertations. If your proposal is based on your PhD dissertation, include a description of the revisions you have made or plan to make, as well as when and where you defended the dissertation and the names of your committee members. 

At this time the Press does not publish original or creative works like fiction, drama, or poetry, nor does it publish bilingual works, catalogues, or festschriften. 

Please indicate if your proposal has also been submitted to another press.

A completed proposal can be sent electronically to the Press’s Acquisitions Editor: ryan.vanhuijstee@concordia.ca

If the Press’s editorial staff believes that a project has potential, an author will be asked to submit a full, completed manuscript which will be shared with at least two external peer reviewers. The peer review process will help an author strengthen a work and assist the Press’s Editorial Board in making a publishing decision. Concordia University Press uses a double blind review system and reviewer reports will be shared with the author. The Press will decline to move forward with a project that does not receive positive peer reviews.

In instances where the peer reviews are positive, the author will be asked to respond to suggestions for changing or improving the work. The author and the Press will come to an agreement on any changes that the author will make to the manuscript based on peer reviewers’ comments before it is reviewed by the Press’s Editorial Board.

The Editorial Board may make one of several decisions after it has evaluated a manuscript and peer reviewer reports: approve a manuscript for publication as is; approve a manuscript for publication pending specific revisions; ask an author or editor to revise and re-submit a manuscript for an additional round of peer review; or decline to publish a manuscript.

Once a manuscript has been approved by the Editorial Board, it will be given a place in the Press’s production schedule and, in consultation with the author, a deadline will be set for the receipt of the final manuscript with all revisions and accompanying materials. The author will also be asked to sign a publishing agreement with Concordia University Press. This agreement will include a provision about assigning a Creative Commons licence to the electronic version of the book so that it can be accessed by as many readers as possible. The specific kind of licence assigned is determined by the Press and the author. 

Concordia University Press is interested in building a list of series that explore discrete themes within or across disciplines and methodologies, or that share a common format. A proposal for a new series should include:

• A short narrative description of the series including its title, shape, and scholarly goals, as well as its potential readership. The description should present a strong argument for the series and its relevance.

• A list of related series at other presses and how this proposed series will differ and distinguish itself and accomplish its goals.

• A list of possible titles and authors proposed for inclusion in the series.

• The number of projected books and a schedule of publication (e.g., one title per year for six years) as well as an estimated date for the first completed manuscript.

• Any special requirements for the preparation and production of printed and digital books in the series, including any multimedia components.

• A description of the series’ editorial planning process and how titles will be identified and commissioned. Include details on any anticipated series advisory board or committee.

• Curriculum vitae for the editor, co-editor, and any editorial advisors. Indicate a lead contact if the series is to be co-edited.

• A description of any potential third-party support.

The Press will not consider a series proposal that is under review with another publisher.

Series proposals will be reviewed by the Press’ Editorial Board. If the series is approved, series editors will be asked to sign a letter of agreement with the Press. A title proposed for a series is subject to peer review and approval from the Editorial Board for publication. Completed series proposals can be sent electronically to the Press’s editorial staff.