How can authors submit a book proposal?

I thought I had covered almost every aspect of book proposals but thanks to Dr. Laura McHale , I've realised a really important element was missing. She emailed me to say that though she'd checked carefully, there didn't seem to be any information on how to submit a book proposal or book idea. I'm always grateful for a reader suggestion, or to clarify the unclear, so here goes.

When I started working in publishing, we would receive proposals in the post. Sometimes they would be addressed to a specific person and arrived quickly. Sometimes they would have a more vague recipient, such as 'Editor', and would have a more convoluted path through the business. For the eclectic or random, they might pass through many hands before arriving with the right person to reject. But with hybrid and remote working, this happens much less now as 99% of proposals arrive by email.

Emails can still have a convoluted journey, though. I often get messages forwarded from Pearson Customer Services asking how to deal with proposals or book ideas and a lot of the time, they're not anything I would commission. Plus the same for direct emails from prospective authors of biographies, cookery or children's books. In that case, a response can sometimes be delayed as it passes through many hands, albeit digitally.

But in short, if you want to submit a business book idea to Pearson, the best way is to email me at [email protected]. It's as simple as that, and I will send you a reply ASAP. Do bear in mind that I receive a lot of submission emails so I will review them in order. If it's been more than a couple of weeks and I'm still not ready to have a look, I will try and let you know it's still on my 'To Read' list. If you're not sure what to send, you can find the 10 Questions for new book ideas here.

I've also added my email address to the About section on my LinkedIn profile so hopefully this makes the process a lot easier for future authors looking to publish with Pearson.

The Pearson Business Book Club

The Pearson Business Book Club is open to all who would like to learn more about our business books or a particular topic, and the webinars are free to attend. You can also view the on-demand videos of previous sessions on the Book Club website.

Our Business Book of the Month for October is Now We're Talking by Sarah Rozenthuler. Her webinar is on Why you’re avoiding having that difficult conversation (and what to do about it). Join us on Thursday 24 October 2024, at 2 pm?(UK time) and register at https://www.pearson.com/en-gb/higher-education/students/careers/book-club.html, and let me know if you have any questions in advance.

Research says that 70% of managers avoid having difficult conversations. This leads to poor decision-making, a cynical atmosphere that rots communication, and people competing rather than collaborating. Avoiding difficult conversations saps our energy, keeps us feeling stuck and blocks positive outcomes.

Read Now We’re Talking to overcome the obstacles that stop you from having a difficult conversation and use ‘authentic dialogue’ tools so you can move from avoidance or breakdown to breakthrough.

Just Published

The Strategy Book: How to think and act strategically to deliver outstanding results by Dr Max Mckeown?(FT Publishing, 2024) - Strategy is about shaping the future. Thinking strategically is what separates good managers and great leaders. Learn the fundamentals about how to create a winning strategy and lead your team to deliver it.

From understanding what strategy can do for you, to creating a strategy and engaging others with strategy, this book offers practical guidance and expert tips. It is peppered with punchy, memorable examples from real leaders winning (and losing) with real-world strategies. Strategy is simple, but simple is complex.

What’s new? The Speed Strategy edition includes tips, techniques and tactics for using Mckeown’s One-Page Speed Strategy. From running a strategy meeting to creating a strategy process, developing a culture of strategic thinkers and everything in between, it will help you to create real-world strategies that deliver outstanding results.

The Strategy Book will help any manager, regardless of experience, to better develop their inner strategic potential for outstanding results in our ever-changing world.

It can be read as a whole, or you can dip into the easy-to-read, bite-size sections as and when you need to deal with a particular issue. The structure has been specially designed to make sections quick and easy to use – you’ll find yourself referring to them again and again.

"A remarkable book that makes complex ideas for shaping a better future accessible and actionable.” Stéphane Milhet, Chief People Officer, Exotrail Space Mobility?

"The Strategy Book - with the excellent Speed Strategy tool – is my #1 go-to recommendation for leaders.” Abbie Badcock-Broe, Head of Corporate Strategy, National Grid

Dr Max Mckeown is the author of The Strategy Book, winner of the Commuter Read at the Chartered Management Institute Book of the Year and Amazon's Best Business Books. He is also the author of The Innovation Book, amongst others. He works as a strategic coach with Fortune 100 companies and is also a popular keynote speaker at conferences worldwide. See www.maxmckeown.com for more information.

What am I reading?

The Power of Your Senses: Why Coffee Tastes Better in a Red Cup and Other Life-Changing Science by Russell Jones, Russell - written by a multisensory expert, this thematic book explores simple ideas on how to improve your life through sight, taste, smell, touch and sound. Did you know that test-takers wearing a Superman t-shirt scored 74% on average, compared to 64% for those wearing a plain t-shirt?

Finally

As mentioned, the subject of this newsletter was prompted by a reader, so please get in touch. Do you have any ideas or suggestions for future newsletters? Did I strike a chord with anything in this newsletter? Is there a business book you've enjoyed recently that you'd recommend? Add a comment or email me at [email protected].