Oxbow Books is one of the world’s leading publishers in archaeology publishing over 70 titles a year written by leading academics and individual researchers from around the world. We welcome proposals in all the subject areas that we cover: archaeology (all periods), ancient history, the ancient Near East, the classical world, Egyptology, landscape and environmental archaeology, archaeozoology and maritime archaeology. We publish single-author monographs, edited collections of papers, and excavation and research reports.
What we offer as a publisher:
- Peer-review for single-author (or two or three authored) monographs
- High production standards
- Fast turnaround time (8-10 months from receipt of manuscript)
- Helpful and efficient editorial and production team
- Excellent worldwide marketing and distribution
- Simultaneous print and e-book publication
- Expertise with large, complex, multi-volume projects
For Single-Author Monograph
Please include the following in your single-author monograph proposal:
- Title and author/s
- A summary (up to one page), including background to the project
- List of contents and brief chapter summaries
- The introduction (if there is one) and a sample chapter
- Proposed timetable for submission of manuscript to Oxbow
- Word count (approximate is fine), not including tables
- Number of black and white illustrations (approximate is fine)
- Number of color illustrations (approximate) and type (eg photo, drawing, map, chart/graph)
- Any competing titles and proposed readership
- Other relevant information such as grants available, a conference, event or other deadline that the book should be published in time for, and particular groups or organizations which it is particularly relevant for/could be marketed to
- CVs or biographical info
Our review process can take anywhere from 2 to 3 months. We may request a complete manuscript for further consideration.
For Edited Collections of Papers
Edited volumes depending on their production requirements and sales potential sometimes require a grant to make them financially viable and to keep the price at a reasonable level.
Please include the following information:
- Title and editors
- A summary (up to one page), including aims and how the papers originated
- List of contents
- Brief abstracts of the papers including contributor affiliation and whether they have agreed to contribute
- Word count (approximate is fine), not including tables
- Number of black and white illustrations (approximate is fine)
- Number of color illustrations (approximate) and type (eg photo, drawing, map, chart/graph)
- Proposed timetable for submission of manuscript to Oxbow
- Any additional requirements such as large-scale illustrations (eg fold-outs), scanning needing to be done by publisher
- Any competing titles and proposed readership
- Please state whether the papers be peer-reviewed before submission, and please confirm that the editors will copy-edit and assess the quality of papers. (NB Oxbow does not arrange peer-review for edited volumes but recommends this takes place prior to submission of the finished manuscript)
- Other relevant information such as grants available, a conference, event or other deadline that the book should be published in time for, and particular groups or organizations which it is particularly relevant for/could be marketed to
- CVs or biographical info on the editors. NB abbreviated CVs are fine, we don’t need complete article lists
For Excavation & Research Reports
Please include the following information. Please be aware that this category of publication most often needs some level of funding to make them financially viable.
- Title and authors
- A summary (up to one page), including background to the project
- List of contents
- Proposed timetable for submission of manuscript to publisher
- Word count (approximate is fine), not including tables
- Number of black and white illustrations (approximate is fine)
- Number of color illustrations (approximate) and type (eg photo, drawing, map, chart/graph)
- Proposed timetable for submission of manuscript to Oxbow
- Any additional requirements such as large-scale illustrations (eg fold-outs), scanning needing to be done by publisher
- Other relevant information such as grants available, a conference, event or other deadline that the book should be published in time for, and particular groups or organizations which it is particularly relevant for/could be marketed to
- CVs or biographical info on editors. NB abbreviated CVs are fine, we don’t need complete article lists
Submitting a Proposal
Following the above guidelines, all proposals should be sent to Oxbow’s head of publishing: Julie Gardiner (jpg@oxbowbooks.com)
