Who can publish with ACPA?

Any ACPA member with an idea for publication is invited to submit a proposal. ACPA is particularly interested in receiving proposals from professionals motivated to complete a high-quality book or monograph, even if they do not have extensive prior publication records. The advantages of ACPA Publications Board publication are the rigorous standards used in the review process and the helpfulness of the ACPA Books Editor(s).

What types of proposals are accepted by ACPA?

ACPA Publications Board has been producing books and monographs since the early 1960s for use by individual student affairs professionals, graduate courses, and student affairs divisions or departments. The publication themes range from history to theory to practice applications. The reviewers look for proposals indicating high quality treatment of a subject for a particular audience in a length appropriate to the topic and approach. The Editorial Board strives to publish “cutting edge” information that is not available elsewhere. ACPA is committed to issues related to student learning, human development, diversity and equity, human dignity, community, and professional renewal. If you have a fresh approach to an old problem or a new approach that works, consider contacting the ACPA Books Editor(s) to discuss your idea!

What happens to my proposal after it is submitted?

After your proposal is received, the ACPA Books Editor(s) will work with the manuscript authors or editors to help prepare the proposal for submission to the publisher. The publisher will send it out for masked review to a set of reviewers identified as appropriate for the topic and structure of the proposal. The publisher will synthesize the reviews and provide feedback to the manuscript authors or editors, including a decision to accept, request revisions, or reject the proposal.

How long does the proposal review process take?

It takes approximately eight weeks from the time the publisher receives your proposal to have it reviewed. The time may vary depending on the number of proposals currently in the review process and variations among institutional calendars.

How much does it cost to submit to ACPA?

Nothing. ACPA does not charge individuals to submit or to publish. Manuscripts are accepted on the basis of quality, the prospect of adding to the knowledge of the profession, and a potential readership sufficient to cover production costs.

What kind of marketing does ACPA do for its products?

Each product has an individualized marketing plan, tailored to fit the specific needs and market of the individual product. The plan usually includes some combination of ads in the Journal of College Student Development, Developments, and other publications in the field; special mailings to our members and other student affairs and higher education professionals; and displays of the book or monograph at our own conferences and other conventions. All products published by ACPA are highlighted in an annual publication list and on the ACPA website.

Will I get rich publishing with ACPA?

No. ACPA authors are not paid royalties. ACPA Publications Board accepts new projects with the minimal financial expectation of breaking even with production costs, and a substantive portion of ACPA’s Publications Board budget comes from annual sales. However, you will be adding to the body of knowledge in the field, gaining professional credentials from a scholarly press, and helping your fellow professionals. ACPA holds the copyright to all materials published by ACPA.

The criteria used to evaluate your proposal will include:

• The topic’s contribution to the field
• The author’s/authors’ ability to present new and significant information and observations about the topic

Please prepare a prospectus that addresses the following points:

Overview:

• What is the proposed title and subtitle of your book? (Please keep in mind clear and searchable keywords rather than catchphrases.)
• Include a brief description of the book in which you explain the main purpose, thesis, and general plan of the book.
• Please also explain the rationale; why do you think there is a need for this book?
• Please specify the details of your finished book, including the expected number of words, the number and type of figures/tables, and your planned completion date. (It is not necessary to have completed your book before you contact us. If you have, please do not send the entire manuscript. Instead, please draft a proposal using these guidelines).
• Include a sample chapter and/or a representative writing sample.

Contents:

• Include a proposed table of contents with a thorough paragraph describing each chapter. Be sure to include reference to any literature, research, or theory you plan to cover in each chapter. [Note that an ideal length for a Higher Education professional book (a book that identifies and solves a problem, is accessible, written for busy practitioners in mind) would be 60k – 90k words.]
• Are you including any special features or pedagogical tools in the book? (These can include chapter objectives, end of chapter questions, call-out boxes, etc.)

Market:

• Please discuss the intended audience for your book. Is it written primarily for scholars (if so, what disciplines), professionals (if so, which fields), or students (if so, what level)? Please be as specific and realistic as possible and remember few, if any, books appeal to all of the above simultaneously.
• List any courses (including the level) for which this book would be relevant.
• List three key selling points for your book.
• List a few specific journals, publications, and/or scholarly groups or divisions, you think this book would most appeal to.

Competition:

• List three or four similar titles (include author, title, publication date).
• Please explain how your book is like, or unlike, each of these books.

Other Relevant Information:

• Please provide a brief blurb (200 words max) about your book that would draw a reader in. Focus on telling the reader what the book will do, how it does this and why this is important, rather than foregrounding the research or field. Think of this as an ‘elevator pitch’ for the book.
• Please provide us with a brief biography of yourself (and any co-authors).
• If this book will be an edited collection, please include a short biography (including current institution and title) for each of these contributors.
• List three to five people who would make qualified reviewers for the proposal (preferably individuals whom you do not know personally). Though we do not always use these suggestions, they help give us an idea of where you think your ideas fit into current debates.
• Finally, please tell us whether or not your proposal has been submitted to other publishers and, if so, to whom.