Quality Press Author Book Proposal Guidelines

It has truly been a delight to work with the Quality Press staff on publication projects. Not only is the staff a very professional group of people but they also have publishing processes that work. This is a winning combination for authors.

—Jack West,
co-author of
ISO 9001:2000 Explained,
co-editor of The ASQ ISO
9000:2000 Handbook

Quality Press welcomes your proposals.

The first step in having your ideas considered for publication is to submit a proposal to the Quality Press acquisitions editor, authors@asq.org, at ASQ Quality Press, 600 N. Plankinton Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53203. To ease the submission process your book proposal must include the following items:

1 Proposed Title

The suggested title should be descriptive rather than catchy.

2 Market

List the primary audience for your project. What are the job titles of individuals who will buy the book? If the area in which you would like to write is heavily published, how will your book be different? Why would someone purchase it over its competition?

3 Competition

In a paragraph, provide us with information on current, successful, competitive books. Research and list any current books similar to the one you are proposing, including: title, author(s), publisher, year of publication, length, focus, and price. In order to position your book successfully in the marketplace, information about the competition is essential.

4 Biographical Sketch

Include your resume or a one page description about your professional life. This is essential to emphasize your credibility as author of the book.

5 Length

Estimate the number of pages of the complete manuscript (in 8½' x 11', double-spaced, format). In addition, include a separate estimate of the number of illustrations, if any, that you plan to use, their type (i.e., forms, charts, drawings, photographs), and size. Include examples of illustrations in your sample chapters if possible.

6 Completion Date

Estimate the date you hope to submit the first complete draft of the manuscript.

7 Table of Contents

This is the focal point of your proposal, the books blueprint or master plan. Going into detail is crucial, not only to define the project, but also to help the Marketing Department effectively describe the book's merits, features, and benefits. Chapter titles do not need to be final, but should be descriptive enough to show the logic and arrangement of the contents of your project.

8 Preface

This is the statement that describes what the book is about, why the book is needed, and how the book will benefit those who buy it.

9 Sample Chapters

Please include at least three sample chapters, or if your manuscript is complete, please send the entire manuscript. While the chapters need not be of publication quality, they should be in such condition so that they can be adequately reviewed, be a good representation of your entire work, and show its uniqueness. If you have questions regarding stylistic elements, please refer to The Chicago Manual of Style (available in most bookstores).

Proposal Review Process

Your proposal should be directed to the Quality Press acquisitions editor, by postal mail at ASQ Quality Press, 600 N. Plankinton Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53203; or by e-mail at authors@asq.org. The acquisitions editor will initially determine if your project potentially fits the future needs of Quality Press. If that determination is made, your project will be sent out for peer review to specially selected members of the ASQ Review Board. This process takes six to eight weeks and will be managed by the project editor. If you and Quality Press enter into a Publication Agreement, your manuscript will be placed into development. It is the project editor's responsibility to work with you in developing the content of your manuscript, sharpening its market potential and helping you keep the project on schedule.

If you have any questions or concerns about any of the information above, please contact the acquisitions editor, at 800-248-1946, 414-272-8575, or authors@asq.org.

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