Authors/editors should submit a brief proposal for feedback from the Series Editors before developing a full proposal for the Center for Engaged Learning Open Access Book Series. The brief proposal helps the Series Editors determine whether the proposed project aligns with the goals of the series, its audience, and the possibilities of open-access publishing.

Before submitting a brief proposal, authors/editors may wish to review the Center for Engaged Learning blog posts on the academic book publishing process: What’s the Process for Publishing a (SoTL) Book? (Moore 2019) and/or Academic Book Publishing: Making a Case for Your Proposed Book (Moore 2022).

Series Audience

The Center for Engaged Learning Open Access Book Series publishes books that translate research and theory for broad audiences in higher education. Authors/editors should consider how their proposed project will engage readers beyond a single discipline, including faculty, staff, faculty developers, students, administrators, and policymakers.

Proposals should demonstrate how the book connects scholarship with practice by addressing implications for higher education, including effective practices for teaching, curriculum design, educational development, and/or educational policies.

Guidelines for Brief Proposal

The two- to four-page brief proposal should introduce the proposed book project and help the Series Editors assess its fit with the Open Access Book Series. The brief proposal should include:

• Book concept: A description of the proposed book, including its central focus, purpose, and concept.
• Contribution to practice and literature: An explanation of how the book contributes to existing scholarship and literature.
• Fit with the series: An explanation of why the project is appropriate for the Center for Engaged Learning Open Access Book Series, including how it aligns with the series audience and its emphasis on innovative approaches to sharing engaged learning scholarship.
• Anticipated format: An indication of the proposed format (e.g., authored book or edited collection), estimated number of chapters, and organizational structure.
• Author/editor qualifications: Brief information about the relevant qualifications and experience of the authors/editors.
• Promotion plan: A preliminary plan for connecting the book with readers through conferences, professional networks, social media, and other outreach activities.

Submit your brief proposal by emailing a Word document to cel-publishing@elon.edu.

What Happens After Submission?

After reviewing a brief proposal, the Series Editors may:

• invite the authors/editors to submit a full proposal;
• request additional information or clarification;
• suggest revisions and invite a revised brief proposal;
• recommend another publishing venue if the project is not a strong fit for the series; or
• provide feedback about why the project is not moving forward.

If invited to submit a full proposal, the Series Editors will provide additional guidelines and information about the next stage of the review process.

Developing an Open Access Book

The Center for Engaged Learning Open Access Book Series supports projects that use open-access publishing possibilities to expand how engaged learning scholarship is created, shared, and applied. Successful proposals demonstrate a clear connection between the project, its intended audience, and the resources or formats that can help readers engage with the work.

Because supplemental resources enhance reader engagement and support promotion, authors/editors should consider these materials as part of the book development process if the proposal is accepted. Full proposals will include a preliminary list of supplemental resources that could be hosted with the book on the Center for Engaged Learning’s website (pending final review by the Center). Submitted manuscripts must include the supplemental materials intended to accompany the published book. The Series Editors and Managing Editor will collaborate with authors/editors on strategies for developing, curating, and producing these resources. Peruse examples of supplemental resources within any of our published books in the Open Access Book Series.

Review Process

Both Series Editors and the Managing Editor review proposals and provide feedback on manuscripts under contract. We also invite feedback from members of the editorial board at strategic points in the process. When an editor or board member is directly involved with a proposed project, though, they do not participate in the review process.

Promotion

The Series Editors will collaborate with authors/editors to promote each book on the Center for Engaged Learning’s website, through social media, and by targeting conference sessions near publication dates.

Questions?

Please direct questions to our Managing Editor at cel-publishing@elon.edu.