The University Press of Florida and University of Florida Press publish books for scholars and general readers in archaeology, dance, Latin American and Caribbean studies, modernist studies, medieval literature, African American studies, southern US history, gardening, natural history and the environment, food and cooking, and the state of Florida. We do not publish original fiction, poetry outside of existing series, religious works, children’s books, or unrevised dissertations. Publishing successfully requires finding an appropriate publisher for each project, so please bear in mind that a project that does not fit with us may find a welcome home at another press.
Submitting a Book Proposal
The first step to publishing with us is to submit a Letter of Inquiry. If we have invited a proposal in response to your inquiry, or we have asked specifically that you submit a proposal, please refer to these guidelines in preparing it. Your proposal should give our staff a clear description of your project. When preparing your proposal, consider the following questions:
- What key problems or questions does your project address?
- What previously unknown or forgotten story are you planning to tell?
- Why does this project matter? What contribution will your project make?
- Who is the audience for this project?
Potential audiences vary, so give careful consideration to the readers you are writing for:
- Is your project for scholars who are specialists in your field?
- Will it be of interest to students? What level of students?
- Is this a project professors might require in a course?
- If so, include course names, descriptions, and sample syllabi.
- Is this project accessible and of interest to more general readers who may not have specialized knowledge of your subject?
Whichever audience you are writing for should be reflected in your approach, terminology, and level of explanation.
If your work is a dissertation, we strongly recommend reviewing our guide for Revising Your Dissertation.
Please fill out the Proposal Cover Sheet [[LINK: ]] and include it with your proposal.
Suggested Proposal Format
Proposed Title and Subtitle
What are the current title and subtitle of your project? Keep in mind that titles often change before a book is published.
Description
In one to two pages, summarize the content of the project, your argument, methodological approach, sources, and purpose. What key questions does the project address? How does it engage with other works in the field? How does it contribute to our understanding of this subject?
Market and Audience
Describe who you are writing this project for, whether it be scholars in your field, students, or general readers. If you are writing for academics, scholars in what field(s) would be interested in this project? If your project is intended for students, how do you anticipate students utilizing this resource? If it would appeal to a general audience, what would readers find interesting about your project? The Press publishes books for different audiences, but no book can effectively address all of these audiences. Please provide an honest assessment of your work.
Other Books
Provide a list of books on this subject that appeal to the same audience as your project. For each book, include the title, author, publisher, and date of publication. Does your project engage in conversation with these works? How is your project similar to and/or different from these works? Noting similar books published by the Press is particularly helpful.
Schedule and Specifications
Include information on the current status of the project and when you estimate you will complete the manuscript. What is the anticipated length of the project (total words, including notes and references)? Does this project have an illustration program? Are there any permissions issues that may arise (reproductions of illustrations or extended excerpts of poetry or musical lyrics, for example)? Is this project being submitted simultaneously to other publishers?
Author/Editor Information
Provide a brief biography, including institutional affiliation, previous publications, educational history, and any other information that might be helpful. Also include a C.V./résumé for each author or editor. For an edited volume, provide the names and affiliations of the contributors.
Annotated Table of Contents
Provide a list of the book’s proposed structure and a brief paragraph describing each of the chapters’ contents. Where relevant, please note if any material has been previously published. If the project is an edited volume, please provide an abstract for each essay.
Writing Sample
Submit one or two chapters of the project as a writing sample. Please do not submit a full manuscript unless one is requested.
What Happens Next?
Proposals are reviewed by the acquisitions editor for your subject. You can expect a response from the editor in four to six weeks. If the project fits within the current publication priorities of the press, the acquisitions editor may ask you to submit a full manuscript for review or discuss the possibility of an advance contract.
Please note that the Press does not return proposals or materials when a project is declined.