Brascoe Publishing

This FAQ, like all frequently asked questions pages, is a work in development. As queries come in we’ll add them to this list if they fill gaps that we haven’t already covered.

1. Why do I need to source my own peer reviews? Isn’t that unusual for an academic press?

In some respects, yes it is unusual. There are multiple facets to the answer. The first part is that we want to see, firstly, how determined you are to get your work published. The second is that we want to see your connection to your field demonstrated and that scholars in your field are willing to support you. The third and final part is that we are a general academic press and not a field- or discipline-specific press and your sourcing of reviews helps us enormously.

2. Does my provision of peer review mean you won’t source your own reviews?

No. For titles that we are very interested in, we are highly likely to source independent reviews. Your provision of peer reviews tells us how serious you are about pursuing publishing. Any subsequent reviews that we obtain will help to verify a title’s potential standing.

3. What if my peer reviews aren’t all positive? Should I send them anyway?

Yes. If you gain two peer reviews, and one is glowing but the other is critical, we want to see them both: this is the same if you have three reviews, of which two are critical. Gaining an insight into your scholarly peers’ views of your work – warts and all – is essential.

4. I have written an academic work for a general (not academic) audience. Can I send you a proposal?

Of course. Be aware, though, that if your work is highly academic (full of footnotes and endnotes, and chock-full with jargon) that we may deem it unsuitable. A work destined for a general audience needs to suit that audience. Always write with your audience in mind.

5. How do I demonstrate a market need?

One of the simplest ways of demonstrating a need for the title is to list all comparative titles you can find, including summaries or precis of the works, page extents, and whether or not these books are still in print. We also want to see a demonstration of how your work is similar to these, or different from these. How you eventually present this is largely up to you, but what you present to us must illustrate a need for the book. Be wary, however, of telling us that universities will use your work as required reading for undergraduate courses, especially if you can’t substantiate your claim.

6.  Do you accept edited volumes for consideration?

Yes – but not lengthy volumes. “Lengthy” in this case is a title that exceeds 70,000 words. Please be aware that for us to take your work seriously you must have already ensured that the work ‘hangs together’ effectively; that formatting, citation and illustration styles are consistent; and that you have gained all the permissions you require (such as for images).

7. Do you accept dissertations?

Generally not. Dissertations take a lot of reworking for them to make good books. Things that might make us change our mind though are a beautifully reworked book, especially if it would fit a general audience; a reworked dissertation that excites us and all of your peer reviewers; and one for which there is a solid, demonstrable market need.

8. If my work is accepted, will I be paid an advance and royalties?

No and yes. As we are a small house we are not able to pay advances to our authors. However, we do pay author royalties, calculated from the wholesale price of a title.

9. Can I send you my full manuscript?

Allow us to tactfully redirect you back to our submission guidelines. Please read them closely.