Publications Manuscript Guidelines for Potential Authors We publish legislative, budget, advocacy and media books.
TheCapitol.Net publishes practical, hands-on works for practitioners, written by subject matter experts. We are always eager to find and work with writers who can meet our editorial requirements and who are interested in forming a long-term editorial relationship.
Our publications are designed, edited and produced by people who have decades of professional and legal publishing experience. All of our books are edited and all have an index prepared by a index specialist. Our books are distributed across the globe, including in the US, Canada, UK, EU, and Australia.
We are currently looking for short descriptive books in the process areas in which we offer training, with a focus on legislative and budget process, media relations, congressional oversight, and government affairs.
Packed with practical guidance, tips, techniques, resources, and annotated forms and documents where appropriate.
Filled with references to relevant people and offices, authorities, web sites, laws and regulations, and other resources.
Designed to be used on a regular basis.
Updated periodically.
Many of our authors also teach for us. We do not publish fiction, festschriften, memoirs, or doctoral dissertations. However, we work with Two Seas Media to publish and distribute other non-fiction books that deal with the Washington, DC, metro area and representative government generally. We take our publications seriously, and so do our authors.
Five of our authored titles have been finalists in the Benjamin Franklin Awards, and
two of those were winners.
I. Before you submit your
proposal
1. Be realistic.
After reading "My Stern Lecture to a Client" by
Andy Ross, answer this question: Are you being realistic?
2. Research your competition. Find and review books similar to yours. You can find books in libraries and Books In Print.
What are the titles? Who are the authors? What are the prices? How are they sold? How are they selling?
3. Identify your market. Is there a need for another book on your topic? Why? Describe specifically what your book does that others do not.
Also tell us which training programs can use your book.
4. What makes your book unique?
II.
Describe the book
We prefer to receive a letter of proposal rather than a manuscript. Include the proposed title, the purpose of the book, detailed table of contents, introductory material, and a sample chapter if you have one. If the book will include illustrations, annotated forms, or photographs, please send samples. Do not send originals. Clear photocopies are acceptable.
Why is this a book that practitioners want to own? Is it one they will use every day or every week?
Who has reviewed or examined the material in your book? Classes or workshops you have led? Experts in the field?
How long do you estimate the book will be? When will it be completed?
III. Tell us about yourself
What is your background? Why did you write this book? How are you qualified to write this book? Any previous publications?
How will you be able to promote your book? Are you available and willing to talk with journalists about your area of expertise? Willing to write procedural op-eds relevant to your area of expertise? Is your firm supportive of your efforts to increase visibility for yourself and for your firm? Are you willing to teach at professional workshops and speak at professional meetings and write for public newspapers and periodicals and for professional journals? Are you interested in participating in training and seminars sponsored by us? What else?
If there are multiple authors, please tell us about all proposed authors.
IV. What you should send us
Please write a letter answering the questions above. Also include a copy of the detailed table of contents and a sample chapter if you have one, as well as your resume or cv. If you want anything to be returned, please include a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Please note that materials unaccompanied by a SASE will NOT be returned. We do not accept proposals on disk, over the Internet, or by fax.
Send your proposal to:
Publisher TheCapitol.Net PO Box 25706 Alexandria, VA 22313-5706 202-678-1600
