Commissioning editor initial feedback
You’ve taken a deep breath, crossed your fingers and pressed ‘send’ on your book proposal email to your ideal publisher. What happens now? (If you haven’t yet submitted your book proposal, make sure you read our guides to Choosing the right book publisher and Writing your book proposal.)
Firstly, you need to wait for a response. We know this is nerve-wracking but please be patient. Editors have a lot of proposals to read, as well as working on many, many books at all stages in the publication process. You should receive an acknowledgement email within a week. This acknowledgement may also include an idea of when the editor will be able to respond more fully.
If you hear nothing within a month, it’s okay to check in to make sure they received it, but resist the urge to pester them.
When the editor responds, the most likely outcomes are:
- Rejection: this is never an enjoyable email to receive, but it happens. The commissioning editor will likely give you some constructive reasons why they are not taking your proposal forwards, and may suggest some alternative options for you. Be comforted with the thought that your book will do better when it finds its right home.
- Initial acceptance: this is the best email to read, but rare to receive. They love it and want to send it to readers straight away!
- Feedback and revision: if you’ve done your research and followed the proposal guidelines, this is the most likely outcome. The commissioning editor has found plenty to admire but also has suggestions to strengthen your proposal. Do be open to their suggestions – they are the experts here.
Once you have finished revising your proposal based on the commissioning editor’s initial feedback, it’s time for the next stage: external peer review.
Where to now?
- Back: The review process for academic books
- Next: Peer review
- Return to the ECR Hub homepage
- Ready to submit your manuscript? Discover the step-by-step guide to publishing with Edinburgh University Press
