In addition to complete author contact information (snail mail, email, phone), please date your proposal and include all of the following components:

1) Suggested Title and Subtitle
Every book project starts with a working title. We’ll brainstorm alternatives with you later.

2) Synopsis/Overview/Concept
What is the book about and what is its purpose? Include a description of the people, organizations, issues, technologies, and products that will be covered; explain the organization of the book and any special or unique features, and describe the approach you will take to make it as useful and interesting as possible. Include your estimate on the length of the book (approx. word count).

3) Preliminary Table of Contents
This is a working ToC; we expect it to evolve as the writing gets underway. If some chapters will be contributed, include the names of proposed and/or confirmed contributors.

4) Graphics
Include information about illustrations, photos, charts, graphs, tables, screenshots, and so on that you would plan to include in the book, if any.

5) Readership Information
Who will buy the book, and why? Include your estimate of the size of the primary markets for the book and suggestions on where/how to reach them (associations, publications, events, websites, etc.). If your book will appeal to the readership of one or more of our journals, conferences, or books, make this point. It helps in this section to know of any success stories for similar books, with sales data where available. Describe the role you would expect to play in the marketing and promotion of the book. If you have an opinion as to an appropriate price range for the book, let us know.

6) Competition
List a few competitive or similar titles, and describe some success stories with sales information as available. If you have found nothing similar, describe the sources you have searched. Some competition is desirable because it suggests an established market for your book; where there is considerable competition, there should be significant and easily expressed differences between your book and others. It is helpful to mention books that, while having a similar mission, are weak in certain specific areas where yours will be particularly strong.

7) Author Biography (narrative format); copies of related work
Why are you qualified to write this book? Describe yourself and any applicable writing and professional experience (attach resume or CV if desired). Include a copy of any published article(s) or book(s) you have authored that you believe will help us to assess your writing ability and fitness for the proposed project. Include SASE if you wish us to return the material.

8) Timing
When would you deliver a manuscript, assuming an agreement is reached within 30 days of your proposal submission?

Proposal Format and Publisher Contact Information

We accept printed proposals by mail as well as versions sent as attachments to email. A cover letter should provide a short explanation of the contents of your package along with complete contact information. If attached to email, the proposal should be either a MS Word file (.docx preferred) or PDF.

Proposals typically run between two and five pages; length is not important so long as the proposal clearly explains the concept and its viability. In addition to your proposal, feel free to include the first three chapters if already written. Do not send the entire manuscript unless requested to do so.

We will attempt to respond to your proposal within 4 weeks of receipt—feel free to contact us if you have heard nothing by this time.

When sending by snail mail, please include SASE for reply and return of materials and mail to:

Rob Colding
Book Marketing Coordinator
Information Today, Inc.
143 Old Marlton Pike
Medford, NJ 08055

Phone: 609-654-6266, ext. 330
Fax: 609-654-4309
Email: rcolding@infotoday.com