University of Rochester Press Prospective Authors

Why Publish with the University of Rochester Press?

The University of Rochester Press publishes specialized scholarly books in the humanities and social sciences, with specific foci in the history of western classical music, music theory, African and diaspora studies, East and Central European studies, early modern European history, and the history of medicine. New series in ethnomusicology and gender and race in American history round out our publishing program. The University of Rochester Press is recognized as a member of the Association of University Presses (AUPresses).

Evaluation

All proposals submitted to the University of Rochester Press are evaluated internally for their suitability to our publishing program. Full manuscripts, if invited, will be reviewed by the senior editor of the appropriate series, and read closely by at least two carefully-selected peer reviewers in the appropriate discipline. Should the manuscript be evaluated favorably but require further or substantive revision, a final, confirming review also may be required. Confidential peer review ensures rigor and candor in our evaluation process, and is an important measure of quality assurance. Following the successful peer review process, all projects must be approved by the University of Rochester Press Editorial Board before a publication contract can be issued.

Manuscript Editing

While we request the careful attention of our authors in preparing their final materials for delivery to the Press, all text submitted and accepted for publication will be professionally copyedited for readability and mechanics. We have longstanding relationships with freelance copyeditors who are highly skilled in line editing and in the finer points of the Chicago Manual of Style, and whose academic training complements the subject areas in which we publish. Our manuscript editorial process is a  rigorous one, and requires the cooperation and responsiveness of our authors.

Production Values

Production support for University of Rochester Press books is provided by Boydell & Brewer, Inc., in Rochester, NY. The books are thoughtfully designed and carefully produced, with attention given to paper quality, binding, and the reproduction quality of interior photographs, musical examples, and other artwork. The Boydell & Brewer production staff work with professional designers to create attractive and marketable book covers, and with printers to ensure the books will be durable and long-lasting.

Marketing

University of Rochester Press books are marketed and distributed by Boydell & Brewer, an international academic publisher with offices in the US and UK, and sales representatives worldwide. The marketing department requests detailed author input to tailor marketing plans for each individual book. Our books are sent to book review editors at select academic and trade journals, are displayed at appropriate conferences, and are often nominated for suitable awards.

Please see the Association for American University Presses website for a discussion of The Value of University Presses.

University of Rochester Press Series

Changing Perspectives on Early Modern Europe
Eastman/Rochester Studies in Ethnomusicology
Eastman Studies in Music
Gender and Race in American History
Rochester Studies in African History and the Diaspora
Rochester Studies in East and Central Europe
Rochester Studies in Medical History
Rochester Studies in Medieval Political Thought

Book Proposal Guidelines

We welcome proposals for projects in our select subject areas; please see our information for prospective authors page for more information. If you determine that your project may be appropriate for the University of Rochester Press list, please download our proposal form and fill it out as completely as possible. Please submit the completed form as an attachment (Microsoft Word is strongly preferred), a brief note of introduction, and updated CV, and a preliminary table of contents, if available, and a brief prospectus including a description of the project to the editorial director for consideration. You may choose to include a sample chapter, but complete manuscripts should not be sent unless invited. After an initial appraisal of these materials, we will contact you if we wish to pursue the project further.

As a matter of policy, we do not consider proposals under review by other publishers.

Completed proposal forms and other supporting materials may be sent by email attachment to the URP Editorial Director, Sonia Kane.

Books we do not publish: We generally do not publish work outside the areas listed with the series editors’ names below. We do not consider fiction and poetry. We do not normally consider unrevised doctoral dissertations.

Unsolicited material: While we welcome your submissions, the University of Rochester Press is not responsible for any unsolicited manuscripts, photos, or artwork. It is not our policy to return proposals, so please do not send originals. If you wish to have your materials returned to you, please be sure to include an SASE with sufficient postage.