We are always happy to look at ideas for a new book, but take a look at our catalogue first, and check out a copy of something in the same category, to see whether what you've written fits with the kind of list we do. Please don’t send the manuscript until asked to do so. Start by writing a query letter describing your project in a few paragraphs, along with a blurb you would write for the back cover of your book, all of which can be mailed or emailed to me at Mandrake. Or equally just send a query letter. If you want your submissions back, then be sure to include return postage. There is no need to bind or include a folder with the manuscript - just staple it all together and send.

Please don’t send the only copy of your magnum opus! You might also find it useful to complete the author questionaire reproduced below (to print, click into this frame, then choose 'file', 'print frame').

Mandrake Programme

We may look more favourable on a title if the author can undertake to provide us with CRC, that is copy ready for the printer. This considerably lightens our workload and enables us to move forward quickly to publication. We would need a printed copy and the digital files in something like Pagemaker or similar DTP programme. In some cases we may ask the author to preorder a small quantity of the title on publication. All this is subject to the manuscript being accepted in the first instance and passing our normal reading process.

If you are trying to produce CRC you will need to talk to us about house style. But in general you would do well to adhere to the following rules:

1) Do not use block capitals

2) Use single quotes for first level of any citation
(double quotes for nested quotes)

3) Use a serif font for body text.

We recommend the New Hart's Rules, The Handbook of Style for Writers and Editors published by Oxford University Press, 432 pages, an excellent investment, at the very good price of 12.99 Pounds Sterling.

Also worth having is The Writer's Journey, Mythic Structure For Storytellers & Screenwriters by Christopher Vogler, published by Michael Wiese Productions.



Poetry submissions

If we are the first people who have ever seen your work it's unlikely we would publish. Poetry is a performance art. You should be looking for opportunities to perform in clubs, conferences etc and regularly submitting individual poems to the many poetry magazines out there.
Visit the Arts Council Poetry Library for details.

We can sometimes publish individual poems in our electronic newsletter Mandrake Speaks (send an email to mandrake-subscribe@yahoogroups.com to view). At the moment we cannot pay any fee for such submissions. If you think you might have a collection of material that fits with our existing list (including poetry in translation) then do please tell us about it - although as with some of our non-commercial books, we might well ask you to commit to pre-purchase a certain number of the finished copies - which you are then able to sell to audience members at your performances.

Recommended reading

An Introduction to English Poetry by James Fenton, Penguin (2003).
This work offers a masterclass for both the reader and writer of poetry. It discusses the work of poets as wide-ranging as W.H. Auden, Dylan Thomas, Tennyson, Milton and Blake, covering all varieties of poetic practice in English.

Mogg Morgan
Mandrake of Oxford
mandrake@(removeme)mandrake.uk.net
 
 

MANDRAKE of OXFORD - Author Questionaire
 

WORKING TITLE:
 

PERSONAL INFORMATION

1. YOUR NAME
 

2. HOME ADDRESS AND PHONE NO

3. WORK ADDRESS AND PHONE NO
 

4. AVAILABILITY?? Are you planning to be abroad or unavailable at any time during the next 18 months? If so, when?
 

5. PRESENT OCCUPATION OR POSITION
 

6. NATIONALITY (This is required for copyright purposes)
 

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES

7. Please outline your previous career, qualifications, any practical and campaigning work conducted on the topic of your work, travel and interests, and books already published (title, publisher, date and price), and any other relevant biographical information. It makes our life difficult if you are modest!
 
 
 
 
PHOTOGRAPH 

8. Please supply a recent, good quality photograph of yourself for possible use in promotion.

9. Are you currently writing any other books or pamphlets? If so, please give brief details.
 
 
 

THE BOOK/PAMPHLET

10. Sometimes it will be necessary to describe your book/pamphlet in a sentence. Please provide one short statement which aptly expresses its scope and purpose in your eyes.
 
 

11. Please provide a 200 words description of the book/pamphlet.

 
 
 
 
12. Please list the main features of the book as you see them.
 
 
 

13. New edition: If the book is a new edition, please detail the major changes - parts rewritten, new material, new illustrations, etc.
 
 
 

14. Please list competing books and describe how this book differs from them.
 
 

15. Who do you see as the readers of your book?
 
 

16. If the book could be used at school/adult education or academic level, please specify in what type of institutions, departments and for what courses you would expect it to be used.
 
 

17. Please name individuals or booksellers (particularly your local bookseller), who might be influential in promoting your book.
 
 

18. Are there any circumstances connected with the book that might have news value - events, centenaries, exhibitions, conferences, TV or radio programmes, or other occasions to which we might link publicity?
 
 

19. Please list those newspapers, radio and TV programmes, magazines and newsletters, including your local newspaper) and independent reviewers that you think most likely to take notice of your book (asterisking any to which you yourself have contributed)
 
 

20. If there are any press, TV or radio contacts personally known to you or whom you know are particularly interested in your topic, please name them and the department in which they work.
 
 

21. Please list those groups, political parties, associations, clubs, voluntary organisations, etc, for whom your book would have particular appeal; please suggest possible mailing lists possibly available for the distribution of leaflets or press releases.
 
 

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