Thank you for your interest in possibly submitting your manuscript to The Pilgrim Press. We hope that you will find the following information useful.
The Pilgrim Press is the scholarly and trade imprint of the United Church of Christ. Its books and resources are designed for scholars and students, thoughtful laypersons, and church professionals. As an ecumenical endeavor, it strives to discern how God is disclosed in various Christian and world religions. Its books and other resources are directed to the United Church of Christ and peer Protestant traditions in the Formula of Agreement and Congregations United in Christ. These include American Baptist Church, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Episcopal Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Presbyterian Church (USA), and Reformed Church in America.
NOTE: The Pilgrim Press currently does not review the following genres: autobiographies, biographies, children’s (Bible) stories, dissertations, fiction, memoirs, poetry, repurposed collections of newspaper articles, or sermon collections. If your proposal falls into any of these genres, please do not contact us.
The Pilgrim Press is focusing on four major subject areas, which includes the following sub-groups:
Spiritual Health & Wellness: Focusing on self-help, spirituality, social issues, health, wellness, sexual identity, and sexual health
Leadership & Congregations: Focusing on experienced pastors, laypersons, new pastors/clergy, UCC identity, conflict, conflict management/resolution, church growth, church renewal, and hospitality
Pastoral Ministry: Focusing on biblical studies, chaplaincy, course adoptions, pastoral care, pastoral counseling, preaching, and seminary texts
Worship: Focusing on church resources, guides, how-to/planning, church school/education, Bible, children’s, youth, young adult (teen), and GenY
SUBMISSION CRITERIA
Please review the criteria outlined below. Your proposal must meet the following requirements in order to be considered. Please note, we do not publish adult fiction, children’s fiction, poetry, memoirs, autobiographies, or dissertations. Dissertations must be reformatted and rewritten in a book format. We also do not undertake “subsidy” publishing for individuals.
Author
Credibility: The author must have sufficient credentials and experience to write on a given topic
Readability: The author must be able to write clearly, concisely, and in a compelling manner
Marketability: The author’s proposal must meet the needs of our clearly defined audiences/markets
Content
Compelling unique features. Indicate what makes your proposal compelling and unique. Such features are often described as "the first ...," "the fullest ...," or "the most concise ..." Authors can assist editors by highlighting such factors in their proposals. Usefulness for the intended readership. Does the proposal connect with a felt need either expressed by persons beforehand or elicited upon hearing about the proposal?
Quality of content
We all have heard about a new book and purchased it, only to be disappointed. It's not as complete as the title suggests or its treatment of the subject is uneven. Does your proposal have the ability to deliver on its promises?
SUBMITTING A BOOK PROPOSAL
To submit a proposal for a book, please send an email to: proposals@thepilgrimpress.com . You will be sent a reply email, with directions to complete a series of questions.
NOTE 1: The Pilgrim Press currently does not review the following genres: autobiographies, biographies, children’s (Bible) stories, fiction, memoirs, poetry, repurposed collections of newspaper articles, or sermon collections. If your proposal falls into any of these genres, please do not contact us.
NOTE 2: Unfortunately, our system cannot send an acknowledgement receipt of your submission. However, you will receive another copy of this questionnaire. Please discard it as we will have your original submission. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Below is the series of questions you will be asked to complete in the reply email:
Section A: About You
- Full Name – Not including degree or professional titles. For two or more authors and/or editors, please list in the order as it will appear in publication.
- Email Address, Postal Address and Phone Number
- I count myself as a member of one of the following churches:
- African Methodist Episcopal
- Alliance of Baptists
- American Baptist
- Catholic (Roman)
- Christian (Disciples of Christ)
- Christian Methodist Episcopal
- Episcopal
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
- Metropolitan Community
- Orthodox (Greek, Russian, etc.)
- Presbyterian Church (USA)
- Reformed Church in America
- United Church of Canada
- United Church of Christ
- United Congregational (SA)
- United Methodist
- United Reformed (UK)
- Uniting Church in Australia
4. I count myself as a follower of one of these traditions:
- Buddhist
- Confucian
- Hindu
- Jewish
- Muslim
- Taoist
- Other
5. Select any or all that apply
- None
- Clergy
- Director of education
- Director of music
- Lay member
- Professor
- Youth Minister
- Other ministry professional
- I am spiritual, but not religious
Section B: About Your Manuscript/Proposal
NOTE: The Pilgrim Press is focusing on four major subject areas, which includes the following sub-groups:
Spiritual Health & Wellness: Focusing on self-help, spirituality, social issues, health, wellness, sexual identity, and sexual health
Leadership & Congregations: Focusing on experienced pastors, laypersons, new pastors/clergy, UCC identity, conflict, conflict management/resolution, church growth, church renewal, and hospitality
Pastoral Ministry: Focusing on biblical studies, chaplaincy, course adoptions, pastoral care, pastoral counseling, preaching, and seminary texts
Worship: Focusing on church resources, guides, how-to/planning, church school/education, Bible, children’s, youth, young adult (teen), and GenY
- Based on the above subject areas and sub-groups, in which area does your book apply?
- Have you spoken with the editor of The Pilgrim Press. If so, then please state who, when, and where. (If someone has recommended you to us, please include his or her name.)
- Please select two or three groups who will be the main purchasers (or users) of your proposed book?
- Adults
- Christian educators
- Choir directors
- Church leaders
- Elementary children
- General readers
- Men’s groups
- Parents/families
- Pastors/ministers
- Preschool/children
- Professors/academics
- Senior adults
- Seminary students
- Study groups
- Women’s groups
- Worship leaders/planners
- Young Adults (ages 14-20)
- Youth (ages 5-13)
4. What are your proposed title and subtitle? Please also offer three or four alternatives
5. How long is your manuscript? Or, how long do you anticipate it will be?
- 20,000 words – 64 page book
- 25,000 words – 80 page book
- 30,000 words – 96 page book
- 35,000 words – 112 page book
- 40,000 words – 128 page book
- 45,000 words – 144 page book
- 50,000 words – 160 page book
- 55,000 words – 176 page book
- 60,000 words – 192 page book
- 65,000 words – 208 page book
- 70,000 words – 224 page book
- 75,000 words – 240 page book
- 80,000 words or more
6. In 250 words (or less), what is the thesis or main point of your proposal? Include each chapter title and a paragraph or two that describes that chapter’s thesis or content
7. What other books are already available on this subject? (Do not simply state that your book is unique. Relate it to two or three books in your subject.)
8. What makes your proposal distinctive when compared to other books in this subject? How will your proposal stand out in a crowd? Why should bookstore buyers add your title to their already crowded shelf of options?
9. What education, training, skills or experiences qualify you to author this book? How will these benefit the reader?
10. How much of this proposal is already written in manuscript form? How long do you estimate it will take you to finish your first draft? (Note: Don't state that it is already a completed dissertation. How long will it take you to put it into book form?)
Section C: About Marketing/Publicity
- Are you a part of any social networking sites (Facebook, Twitter, etc)? If so, please list. If not, are you willing to join one or more?
- Do you have a personal website or blog? Are you willing to get one?
- Do you have or will you attain a personal publicist?
- Do you have access to personal networks (group emails) in which The Pilgrim Press can send e-notes to?
- Are you apart of a collegiate and/or academic-based fraternity or sorority? If so, which one(s)
- Will you be attending any events (annual/biennial), personal or business, in which book promotion is a possible?
- Are you often called to be a presenter or speaker at various speaking engagements?
- Are you connected with local or regional-area book stores? If so, please list.
Within 12 weeks, authors can expect to receive an indication of the press’s level of interest. If your proposal meets our criteria and interest, we will request an extensive writing sample as well as additional information about the author and proposal. Please note, however, that proposals are often submitted to outside reviewers for evaluation so that some delays in the decision process can occur. The Pilgrim Press discourages the unsolicited submission of complete manuscripts and cannot be responsible for their return unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
