Introduction
If you have a general book proposal, or would like to make preliminary contact, it is perhaps easiest if you email the publisher, Alistair Hodge, or telephone the office on 01524 840333. Alternatively, write to us at Carnegie House, Chatsworth Road, Lancaster LA1 4SL.
From manuscript to finished book
The first step towards publishing your book will be to agree a synopsis. This will include a draft list of chapters, a general statement of the aims and purpose of the book, its chronological and geographical scope, its target readership and so on. If we ask (commission) an author to write a book we will cooperate on the composition of the synopsis. If you have already written a manuscript which you are submitting to us you will need to forward a synopsis along with a sample chapter.
After the synopsis is agreed a contract of publication will be drafted and sent to the author for agreement. This spells out the delivery date of the manuscript and the financial arrangements for the publication. In broad terms the contract grants us (the publisher) the right to publish the book; the copyright in the text remains the property of the author (and if we decline to reprint or republish the book the rights to publish eventually revert to the author).
Eventually the completed manuscript will arrive. At this point it is read by the publisher and by at least one editor. Most Carnegie titles will be sent to an academic referee, whose report will guide us in how to proceed with the text. In many cases the referee will suggest modifications or improvements; in a few cases they might recommend restructuring or point out where specific editing is required. Once the referee's recommendations have been incorporated (wherever practicable), the manuscript will be accepted formally for publication.
Only at this point can a realistic schedule of publication be drawn up. (There is a vast amount still to do, and we always ask authors to bear this in mind: production delays can happen for any number of reasons within and beyond our control.) Illustrations will be chosen, photographs taken where needed; captions will be written; covers will be designed; the final title of the book will be agreed; typesetting and layout will bring the book together; the index will be done.
At Carnegie we put a great deal of time and effort into presenting the author's work in as attractive and accessible a manner as possible. We try to market our books as widely as possible and sell them through as many sales channels as possible. We will ask authors for help in identifying new sales outlets, journals and magazines to review the book, and so on. Publishing is a team effort, and we really do enjoy working with our authors to make books a real success.
Above all, we are an independent publisher of high-quality books. We take great pride in the books we publish, and we aspire to do our best in terms of editorial and production values, receiving positive critical acclaim, and long-term book sales.
Preparing a manuscript
Download a copy of our style guide, which gives prospective authors a good idea of how to present their work. This deals with such issues as writing style, how to cite references and so on. You will need Acrobat Reader, which can be downloaded free by clicking HERE.
Author discounts!
As well as the creative satisfaction you will undoubtedly get from publishing with Carnegie, you also get a 25% discount off any of our other titles. You can order by telephone, or enter a special Voucher Code (which you should already have received by email) in the Checkout on this website. This author discount is in addition to any other offer currently being offered. Get buying today!!