Life Cycle of a Book

Step 1: Submit a Book Proposal

The first step of the process is submitting a book proposal to one of our editors via the Book Proposal Submission Form.

Step 2: Peer Review

If the book project is a potential fit for DUP, the manuscript will undergo a review process where two field specialists will assess the project through an anonymous written report.

Step 3: Contract

If the readers from the first round of review endorse publication, your editor may decide to request a contract for your project. Once your book is under contract, you will revise your manuscript to address feedback from the reviewers.

Step 4: Further Review and Revision

After the revisions are complete, the project will usually undergo a second round of review to ensure that reader comments have been properly addressed and incorporated. This process will continue until the reviewers and your editor agree the manuscript is ready for publication. 

Step 5: Editorial Advisory Board Approval

All books are presented to the Editorial Advisory Board (EAB), which consists of Duke faculty members. The EAB gives final approval for all books, and may provide feedback. 

Step 6: Gathering Final Materials

Once your book has been approved by the Board, it’s time to finalize and format the manuscript. We will check all of your materials before we officially start production by passing your project to our Editing, Design, and Production (EDP) department. At this point, your book will officially be scheduled for publication.

Step 7: Editing, Design, and Production

Once your book is in EDP’s hands, a Project Editor will send the manuscript out for copyediting while a designer begins work on designing your book and its cover. Once the manuscript is typeset, you will be provided page proofs to create the index.

Step 8: Marketing

While EDP is working on producing the book, Marketing will develop a marketing plan, which may include placement at conference exhibits and program ads, outreach to bookshops and libraries, social media, reviews, electronic direct marketing, and award submissions. A list of recent award-winning books can be found here.

Step 9: Publication

After all your hard work, your book will be available on shelves and online, and you should soon have a copy in your hands!