Author Guidelines
CAXTON PRESS has
a long tradition of publishing Western works with timeless appeal. We always
are looking for new material. Please follow our guidelines when submitting so
that we may give your manuscript the attention it deserves.
Suggested Topics:
Caxton publishes nonfiction trade books for general audiences. Although we may
consider a manuscript on any subject, we prefer nonfiction with a theme such as
western or frontier history, travel, pictorials, narratives or western themed
cookbooks. We will consider historical fiction if it deals with the West. We do
not publish poetry.
Topics to generally avoid:
"How I spent my years on the farm, on the mountain, in the city,
etc." or "My family history."
Standards: We prefer to receive a
query letter first that outlines your topic. If we feel it has possibilities,
we'll usually request some sample chapters and an outline before requesting the
complete manuscript. Both physical and
digital copies of the work are acceptable and one, or the other, may be
requested depending upon the topic and amount of material being submitted.
Use active rather than passive verbs, and vibrant, colorful prose.
The piece must be responsibly researched. Your sources must be
thoroughly documented and not infringe on existing copyrights. It is your
responsibility to provide all photographs, illustrations, and graphics for your
book. If
your manuscript is accepted, the final version must be delivered to us on
computer disk or via e-mail (Microsoft Word format
preferred). Some of our books include indexes, and we may ask the author to
assemble the index at the appropriate time.
Style: We request our authors
to follow the Chicago Manual of Style (15th edition).
Proposals: Submit a cover letter
addressed to the editorial department with your proposal. Introduce yourself
and the theme of your manuscript. Tell us about your target audience, and why
you think Caxton should publish your book. Include either an outline or a table
of contents, a sample of the manuscript (usually one or two chapters),
photocopies of artwork samples, and a SASE for return of your materials.
We handle every manuscript we receive carefully, but prudence
dictates that you keep a copy of everything you send us. Don’t send
original documents, photos or artwork unless we request them.
Please allow 8-12 weeks for our response. We receive many
manuscripts every year and evaluate each for readability, literary merit,
accuracy, research, and salability.
Send submissions to:
Caxton
Press
Attn:
Scott Gipson
312
Main St.
Caldwell,
Id. 83605