Book Manuscript Guidelines

Books published by the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International are by, for, and about nurses. True to the honor society's vision, our books support the growth of a global community of nurses who lead using scholarship, knowledge, and technology to improve the health of the world's people.

Nurses Use Our Publications to:

• Teach, whether formally or informally.
• Support their work in clinical settings.
• Enhance professional and personal lives.
• Inspire and renew careers.
  

Nursing Topic Areas:

• Career Development(all career stages)
• Complementary Health
• Cultural Diversity
• Disaster and Bioterrorism
• Environmental Health
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Ethics
• Geriatrics
• Global Nursing
• Informatics
• Health Care Policy
• Leadership and Mentoring
• Patient Safety
• Public Health
• Research and Scholarship
• Technology

While these are our key areas of focus, we also welcome book proposals that celebrate nurses and nursing—and in this way help sustain nurses in their work.

Preparing Proposals

A book proposal includes a prospectus and a sample chapter. All submissions should be double spaced, 12-point type, and include headings that support a clear hierarchy.
 

Prospectus Should Include:

• Working title.
• Name of the authors, editors and any contributors already identified.
• Description of topic and how this book uniquely addresses a need in the market.
• Primary audience—be as specific as possible about the primary audience for your book. How will it be used? Do you intend the book to be a clinical text or reference for professionals? To what organizations/individuals would we most effectively market it?
• Table of contents—supply a detailed outline or table of contents for the book. Include a brief description of what each chapter will contain.
• Images—will photos, illustrations, tables or figures be included in the book? If so, approximately how many in each chapter or within the book?
• Projected page count in double-spaced, 12 point-type pages.
• What are the goals for writing this book—will it inform, expand or change current thinking?
• Competitive works—include titles, authors, price, publisher, and year published. Also include an analysis showing how your book will differ from the competing books.
  

Sample Chapter

One sample chapter should be submitted as part of the proposal. The sample chapter provides an example of your writing style and how you will present the information to meet the needs of your target audience.

Proposal Review & Manuscript Development

Peer reviewers will evaluate the proposal to determine suitability for publication by the honor society. In keeping with usual book publication practices, the identity of the author/editor may be disclosed to reviewers, but the reviewers’ identities will not be known to the author/editor. The author/editor of an accepted manuscript will work closely with honor society editors to develop the manuscript as suggested by the reviewers. This may require revisions and rewriting. Remember that writing a book requires a serious commitment and hard work. However the rewards are immense. 

Submitting A Proposal - Please submit the following:

• Proposals must be submitted electronically. Send the prospectus and sample chapter by e-mail as Word document attachments directly to Cynthia Saver’s e-mail address below.
• Include a brief biography of the author/editor, including educational preparation, current position and institution, and prior publications (no more than 2 pages).
• If the book will include contributors, submit their names, credentials, institutional affiliation and position, and the names of chapter(s) each contributor will write.
• A proposal in languages other than English will be accepted. 

The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International is a global organization committed to providing equal opportunity to all nurse authors worldwide. Please contact us directly should you have questions or comments. 

All manuscripts submitted to Sigma Theta Tau International should be original, unpublished material that is not under simultaneous review by another publisher.