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Academic Book Prospectus: STM and HPERD Divisions

We are pleased that you are interested in writing a book and publishing it with Human Kinetics. Writing a book is a major career project and when done well is a significant contribution to society.

Our Mission

Our goal at HK is to publish quality books and journals in physical education, sport sciences, sports medicine, sport techniques, aquatics, dance, health-related fitness, and leisure studies. To do so we strive to help our authors write the best books possible and to make the process of writing a book an enjoyable and rewarding experience. We also strive to produce an attractive, well-designed book and to market it extensively.

From your first contact with us when developing a book proposal through the years of offering your book to the public, we promise to do our very best to serve you well.

Publishing Divisions

Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc. is our corporate name and we publish books under two of our seven divisions.

HK's two academic book divisions -- the Scientific, Technical, and Medical (STM) Division; and our Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (HPERD) Division -- publish textbooks and reference books for students, scholars, and professionals in our fields of interest.

HK's Trade Book Division (formerly called Leisure Press) publishes expertly written books for the general public and for such groups as coaches, athletes, and fitness enthusiasts.

How HK Selects Books To Publish

We receive hundreds of inquiries, proposals, and manuscripts each year. In order to effectively evaluate a potential manuscript we need a carefully prepared proposal from you.

The proposal is first reviewed to determine if the information is complete and within HK's editorial scope.

If a proposal fits our editorial mission, it is then reviewed internally by the acquisitions editor and possible by other members of our staff. It may also be sent to one or two external reviewers. (Throughout this review process we consider your proposal to be copyrighted matter and respect your ownership of the expressed content.)

If these reviews are favorable, the acquisitions editor completes a financial analysis and marketing plan for the project. This is an extensive process with a careful study of any competing books on the subject.

The acquisitions editor then presents your proposal, the financial analysis, and the marketing plan to our Acquisition Committee.

Based on the review of this committee, we decide whether or not we can successfully publish your proposed book.

During this 4- to 8-week review period, the acquisitions editor may also request that you provide additional information or consider making changes to the proposal.

Preparing your Proposal

Please provide the information requested in each element below.

Author and Title
Name and address of each author
Tellephone numbers (office/home) and when it is best to call
Fax number
Date of proposal
Working title of the proposed book
Authored or edited book*
HK division to publish the book-- Academic Book Division or Trade Book Division*

*(If you are uncertain, we will make a recommendation)

Manuscript Specifications

Estimated number of typed doublespaced manuscript pages based on 300 words per page, excluding illustration and tables, but including references. (Three manuscript pages equal two 6" x 9" typeset pages and two manuscript pages equals one 8.5" x 11" typeset page.)
Estimated number of photos
Estimated number of line drawings
Estimated number of tables
Estimated date you will submit the first complete draft of the manuscript (but not necessarily the illustrations)

Preface

Please prepare a doublespaced, typewritten statement of 2 to 6 pages which describes the proposed book. Write your statement to the readers of the book and make it as interesting and informative as possible. We review the preface carefully, not only to determine the proposed content of the book but to get an indication of your writing skills. The preface should address the following:

A clear statement of purpose (who the book is written for, the need for it, and how your book meets this need)
The scope of the book (both the breadth and depth of content)
An explanation of how and why the book is organized as it is
The benefits of the book to the reader
Any unique features of the book

Prepare a comprehensive table of contents for the proposed book, indicating the chapter titles using descriptive language. Group the chapters into parts, with numbers and titles. For each chapter provide a paragraph or two describing the content or an outline of the major "SubTitle". If you have written any chapters, we encourage you to submit them with your proposal. If you have not written any chapters, please submita sample that reflects your writing skills for the type of book proposed.

Audience

The publishing of a book is a substantial investment of time on your part and time and money on our part. You want the book to be as widely read as possible, and so do we. Thus, we need your assistance in carefully identifying the various audiences that you think will be interested in reading your book. Please be as specific and realistic as possible, (for example, audience groups might include exercise physiologists, fitness instructors, elementary physical education teachers, athletic directors, dance teachers, high school volleyball coaches, etc.). But it would be unrealistic for any one book to appeal to all of these specific audience groups.

Competition

Identify the author, title, publisher, date of publication, and price (if you know it) of any book which may compete with your proposed book. After each title identified, provide a brief description of how your book will differ from this book.

Author/Editor Qualifications

Please state your qualifications for writing your book. Do not consider this statement as being a boast: the credibility and qualifications of the author are vital in our decision about publishing any proposed book. Also, please attach a curriculum vita or resume for each author.

Human Kinetics