Jossey-Bass Elements of a Good Project Proposal

We find the following information useful, but not always essential, when considering a project for publication:

Need.
Why are you developing this project? Why do people need help on the topic at this time? How is the topic of increasing rather than passing or declining importance?

Purpose.
What is the work designed to accomplish? How does it meet the need you have identified?

Contribution.
What new information is offered? In what ways would the work add to current knowledge and practice?

Intended Audiences.
Be specific and describe the primary, secondary, and other audiences with respect to discipline, institutional affiliation, and position or title.

Uses.
What would the work help the audiences to do, understand, improve, carry out, and so on? Distinguish between the uses for the practitioner audiences and the uses for the academic audiences -- or whatever distinction is most meaningful.

Knowledge Base.
What is the research or experience base for the information in the project? Briefly describe any special studies or previous work relevant to this project.

Title Possibilities.
Along with your current working title, please suggest several alternative titles. We strive for a title that clearly communicates to all audiences the topic, purpose, and utility of a work.

Length.
How many double-spaced, typewritten pages do you anticipate the manuscript to be?

Outline of Contents and Chapter-by-Chapter Descriptions.
Provide a few sentences about the purpose and contents of each chapter, giving specific details and examples as well as general statements. Also explain the logic of the work's organization.

Sample Chapters.
Please submit the plan with two or three sample chapters. If you would like some feedback before you prepare the sample chapters, send the plan without them, and we will offer an initial reaction. We prefer to learn of projects in their early stages to point out potential problems and offer editorial suggestions. If you would like us to return any of the materials you submit, please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Format.
How do you envision your final product? Will your project be a book, a binder, a package? Are you proposing a single product or a group of products?

Related and Competing Works.
Please list the author, title, and publisher of the main related and competing works; describe why they are not adequate to meet the need you have identified; and tell how your work would differ or be superior.

Potential Text Adoption.
In addition to sales to individual practitioners and academics, Pfeiffer works are often used as texts in college and university courses and corporate and government training courses. If your work would have such text use, please describe the level, titles, and average enrollment of courses for which it would be appropriate; the kinds and approximate number of institutions with such courses; and the competing texts.

Timetable.
What schedule is envisioned for preparing sample chapters (if not already included), the complete draft manuscript, and revisions of the manuscript?

Other Publishers.
Has the manuscript been sent to other publishers for consideration? If so, which ones? Note that Pfeiffer has no objection to your informing other publishers that we are considering the proposal.

Background Information.
Please attach your vita, resume, or biography detailing your professional and educational background, including prior publications.

Mail your proposal

All packages should be addressed to the Editorial Assistant for the relevant series:

Business Editorial Assistant
Education Editorial Assistant
Global Education Editorial Assistant
Health Editorial Assistant
Nonprofit Editorial Assistant
Pfeiffer Editorial Assistant
Psychology Editorial Assistant
Public Administration Editorial Assistant

Mail proposals and manuscripts to:

In the U.S. & Canada:
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Professional Development
111 River Street
Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774

Go to guidelines for Jossey-Bass.