Editorial Guidelines
What We Publish
Trade or scholarly books in these categories:
- Works of scientific inquiry into the realms of theology and spirituality, particularly researched, written, or otherwise supported by the scientific and/or academic community.
- Works of inspiration that combine scientific inquiry with ecumenical, nonsectarian spiritual principles, particularly researched, written, and supported by both the scientific and spiritual communities. Spiritual works can come from someone who either practices a specific religion, follows a certain tradition, or who does not participate in any specific religious or spiritual community. The key is that the work itself presents universal spiritual thought that embraces everyone and affirms that all positive thought or belief systems are possible paths to the "truth."
- Works combining spirituality and healing, particularly researched, written, or otherwise supported by traditional Western medicine in conjunction with Eastern, alternative, complementary, or integrative medicine; works that promote the mind-body-soul connection.
- Works promoting character-building education, such as guidebooks or any works promoting character-building curricula in schools.
- Works in psychology and the social sciences, particularly those that explore the value and benefits of practices and attributes such as forgiveness, optimism and hope, wisdom, and other life-changing positive states as viewed from various research perspectives to illuminate the scientific foundations of effective living; how positive mindsets and virtues enhance the lives of individuals and, ultimately, the well-being of society.
Guidelines for Submitting a Book Proposal
Author Information. Name, mailing address, daytime phone number, and email address. Enclose a current vita which indicates your present position, educational background, previous publications, and why you are qualified to write the book you are proposing.
Title of the Book. Indicate the tentative title of the book with possible alternative titles.
Description of the Book. In 250-500 words, summarize the book you are proposing. What is the nature, focus, purpose, or argument of the book? What is its thesis? Write the summary as if it were on the back cover of the book convincing a potential reader to buy this book. What unique contributions to the subject does this manuscript provide?
Audience. For what audience, specifically, is the book written: lay persons? pastors, or other religious professionals? college students? seminary/graduate school students? professors? Why does someone need to read this book? Does the book have potential for textbook adoption? If so in what courses?
Competition. Are there competing titles? If so, what are they? What does your book offer that these competing titles do not? How will your book be superior to or different from them?
Table of Contents. Give a tentative table of contents of the book by chapters. Beneath each chapter title, give a brief outline of the chapter and a brief summary of its contents. This summary should explain the focus and development of the chapter and indicate how the chapter advances the argument of the whole book.
Manuscript Length. What is the estimated length of the proposed manuscript, printed double-spaced on 8½" x 11" paper with 1" margins?
Sample Pages. Enclose a sample of 15-25 pages, perhaps of the introduction and the first chapter, which illustrates your writing style. These should be pages which are typical of the book as a whole, especially critical to your argument, potentially controversial, or that give an overview of the book.
Manuscript Submission. If your proposal is accepted and a complete manuscript requested, you should plan to submit a hard copy of the manuscript, double-spaced and formatted for easy readability, together with an electronic copy in IBM or MAC compatible text files. Indicate what program and version you have used.
Completion Date. Indicate the date you would expect to submit a completed manuscript.
Send your proposal to us via e-mail to Natalie Lyons Silver, Managing Editor or via post with a self-addressed, stamped envelope large enough to hold all materials to:
Natalie Lyons Silver, Managing Editor
Templeton Foundation Press
300 Conshohocken State Road, Suite 670
West Conshohocken, PA 19428
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