Your Career: In book publishing, “fit” is mutual

How do editors assess if your project is right for them, and how should you decide? ADVERTISEMENT [Your Career Logo]( You can also [read this newsletter on the web](. Or, if you no longer want to receive this newsletter, [unsubscribe](. How do press editors assess if your project is right for them, and how should you decide? “Fit” is paramount in the relationship between writer and publisher. In addition to your book’s topic and reach, acquisitions editors are also looking for a personal fit — writers with whom they see the potential for a good working relationship. In turn, as a writer, your needs, hopes, and timelines (e.g., your tenure clock and institutional expectations) necessarily factor into your search for a press. Here are some things to keep in mind as you mull where to submit your book proposal: - Above all, editors want to know your central topic or driving idea. That is the foundation of fit, and a compelling, well-defined argument is far more scintillating than vague promises of a big splash. - While you should do research on presses and look for titles relevant to your work, you can’t possibly know everything an editor is thinking about — which is one reason why talking to editors and even just following them on social media can be so valuable. - A great topic alone does not make a great book. Execution is everything. But if editors are excited about the topic, they can give you feedback on and help develop the execution. Continue reading: “[How Do Editors Assess Your Book’s Fit?]( by Rebecca Colesworthy Share your suggestions for the newsletter with Denise Magner, an editor at The Chronicle, at denise.magner@chronicle.com. If you’d like to opt out, you can log in to our website and [manage your newsletter preferences here](. ADVERTISEMENT SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHRONICLE Enjoying the newsletter? [Subscribe today]( for unlimited access to essential news, analysis, and advice. NEWSLETTER [Sign Up for the Teaching Newsletter]( Find insights to improve teaching and learning across your campus. Delivered on Thursdays. To read this newsletter as soon as it sends, [sign up]( to receive it in your email inbox. LATEST CAREER ADVICE, OPINION, AND NEWS THE REVIEW | ESSAY [Your Pay Is Terrible? You’re Not Alone.]( By Kevin R. McClure [STORY IMAGE]( Higher education has a compensation problem. SPONSOR CONTENT | The University of Bath [Tackling Global Challenges]( ADVERTISEMENT ADVICE [Leadership Burnout: How to Restore Your Depleted Bandwidth]( By Aaron Basko [STORY IMAGE]( Three ways to deal with a to-do list that seems too lengthy for one administrator to realistically accomplish. THE REVIEW | ESSAY [The Coddling of the American Undergraduate]( By Rita Koganzon [STORY IMAGE]( Colleges want to exercise total social control over students’ lives. That’s bad for everyone. 'A TRAGIC DAY' [A Small College Tried and Failed to Persuade Lawmakers to Save It. Now It’s Closing.]( By Sonel Cutler [STORY IMAGE]( Birmingham-Southern College, a private liberal-arts institution plagued by more than a decade of financial problems, will cease operations at the end of May, it announced on Tuesday. ADVICE [Résumé Dos and Don’ts for Ph.D.s]( By Jennifer S. Furlong and Stacy M. Hartman [STORY IMAGE]( Answers to common questions about this crucial document for an industry job search. FROM THE CHRONICLE STORE [The Future of Campus Safety - The Chronicle Store]( [The Future of Campus Safety]( Colleges can’t foresee and avoid every possible safety concern. Yet students, parents, and others are demanding that colleges do more to keep campuses safe. [Order this report]( to explore strategies colleges are employing to counter threats to their communities’ well-being. SPONSOR CONTENT | Iowa State University [Shaping Tomorrow's Leaders through Entrepreneurial Excellence]( Dive into Iowa State's culture of innovation, where groundbreaking ideas fuel growth and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs. What we’re reading Here’s more on career issues and trends from around the web. See something we should include? [Let me know](mailto:denise.magner@chronicle.com?subject=Your Career feedback). - In Forbes magazine, a business professor explores how AI tools will [change faculty work and teaching](. - [Advice]( in the Harvard Business Review on how to cope “when you know you weren’t the first choice for your new role.” - The Atlantic magazine offers [six book recommendations]( that will “jolt your senses awake.” MORE CAREER RESOURCES [The Chatbot Student Experience]( [STORY IMAGE]( UPCOMING: April 3, 2024 | 2 p.m. ET. New AI tools expand chatbot capabilities, making them more helpful to students in navigating admissions and enrollment. This forum will explore best practices for chatbots on campus. With Support From AWS. [Register here.]( [Experiential Education for All]( [STORY IMAGE]( UPCOMING: April 11, 2024 | 2 p.m. ET. Programs like experiential education help expand creativity and independence. Join us to discuss how to re-engage students with such programs. With Support From the Illinois Institute of Technology. [Register here.]( [The Trends Report 2024]( [STORY IMAGE]( Our annual investigation into the most consequential developments in higher education. POLITICS AND RACE [DEI Legislation Tracker]( By Chronicle Staff [STORY IMAGE]( Legislators, mostly Republicans, want to get rid of diversity, equity, and inclusion offices; end anti-bias trainings; and banish diversity statements. Upcoming Workshop [The Chronicle's Women Leading Change Program | Spring 2024] [Join us this spring]( for a virtual professional development program designed for women leaders across various roles in higher ed. This workshop series will help participants better understand the complex set of challenges they may face and think creatively to implement transformative change on their campuses. [Reserve your spot today!]( JOB OPPORTUNITIES [Assistant Associate Full Professor of Clinical, Internal Medicine Hospital Medicine]( University of Cincinnati [EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR]( The U.S.-Colombian Fulbright Commission [Center for Labor and Community- Program Director]( Center for Labor and Community at UC Santa Cruz [Search other jobs.]( CAREER RESOURCES [April article collection about salary negotiation] [Read the April collection]( to learn strategies on salary negotiation. Dive into our topics on why negotiating every offer matters, what to do if you were lowballed, and more! NEWSLETTER FEEDBACK [Please let us know what you thought of today's newsletter in this three-question survey](. This newsletter was sent to {EMAIL}. [Read this newsletter on the web](. [Manage]( your newsletter preferences, [stop receiving]( this email, or [view]( our privacy policy. © 2024 [The Chronicle of Higher Education]( 1255 23rd Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037