How To Publish With Bloomsbury – Detailed Guide

Publishing a book with Bloomsbury Publishing, the highly respected, independent, and international house known for both literary fiction and world-class academic content, is a significant achievement. It means your work is being backed by a major traditional publisher that will invest its resources in editing, design, distribution, and marketing.

The process to publish with Bloomsbury is not a single path; it diverges sharply based on the type of book you have written: Trade (Fiction/General Non-Fiction) or Academic/Specialist. Understanding which category you fall into is the critical first step.

The Trade Path: Fiction & General Non-Fiction (Requires an Agent)

Bloomsbury’s Trade division (which includes adult fiction, children’s fiction and non-fiction, and general interest non-fiction) operates like most major publishing houses: they maintain an Agent-Only submission policy.

Phase 1: Securing the Literary Agent

This is, ironically, the hardest part of publishing with Bloomsbury. Since the publisher does not accept unsolicited manuscripts (submissions sent directly by authors), you must first convince a literary agent to represent you.

Write a Polished Manuscript

Your manuscript must be complete, revised, and professionally polished. Agents receive hundreds of queries a month, and an incomplete or unedited manuscript is an easy pass.

Research Agents

You need to find an agent who has a history of selling books to Bloomsbury, or who specializes in your genre (e.g., Young Adult, literary fiction, commercial thriller).

• Review Bloomsbury’s Catalog: Look at Bloomsbury’s recent releases in your genre and see which agents are thanked or credited.
• Use Agent Directories: Consult industry resources like the Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook (a common source for UK-based agents) to verify their submission guidelines.

Prepare Your Submission Package

You will be submitting to the agent, not the publisher. Your package must be concise and compelling:

• Query Letter: A one-page, professional pitch that summarizes your book, explains its market potential, and includes your brief author biography.
• Synopsis: A concise summary (usually one page) of the entire plot, including the ending.
• Sample Pages/Chapters: Typically the first three chapters or the first 10,000 words of your manuscript, as requested by the agent.

The Agent Submission and Review

Once an agent decides to take you on, they will become your representative. They will guide you through further revisions, prepare a competitive submission package (the pitch letter, or “pitching the book,” to the publishing house), and determine which specific Bloomsbury editor or imprint is the best fit for your work.

Phase 2: The Acquisition Process

Your agent handles the submission to Bloomsbury. At this stage, you simply wait and prepare for potential revisions.

1. Submission to Editor: Your agent sends the manuscript and pitch directly to the relevant Bloomsbury editor.
2. Internal Review: If the editor is interested, they may ask for revisions or take the proposal to an in-house acquisitions meeting.
3. Offer and Contract: If the proposal is approved internally, the editor, in negotiation with your agent, will present a contract that includes the advance (the upfront payment against future royalties) and the specific royalty rates.

2. The Academic Path: Scholarly & Specialist Books (Direct Proposal)

Bloomsbury is a major force in Academic Publishing, covering fields from history and philosophy to education and design. This path is often open to direct proposals from authors, and the process is focused on a formal Book Proposal.

Phase 1: Find Your Editor

Unlike trade publishing, you usually target a Commissioning Editor directly within the relevant subject area at Bloomsbury Academic.

• Use the Contacts Page: Bloomsbury provides an “Authors” or “Contacts” page on its Academic website listing editors by subject (e.g., “Archaeology,” “Literary Studies”).
• Target Precisely: Contacting the right editor is vital. An email sent to the wrong subject editor will likely be ignored.

Phase 2: Preparing the Proposal

The proposal is the centerpiece of the Academic submission process. It must be professional, comprehensive, and persuasive, demonstrating that your book is necessary for the field. Bloomsbury provides a specific proposal form, which typically requires the following detailed components:

Information About the Book

• Title and Subtitle: Must be precise, keyword-rich, and clearly indicate the book’s scope.
• Summary & Description: A one-line summary followed by a 250-word overview, written as persuasive marketing copy.
• Detailed Description & Rationale: An overview of the book’s main themes, objectives, and its contribution to existing research (i.e., why does this book need to exist?).
• Key Features: Three to five bullet points highlighting the book’s unique benefits or features (e.g., new methodology, specific case studies).
• Table of Contents & Chapter Synopses: A detailed breakdown of the book’s structure, including sub-headings and a summary of the content, purpose, and argument for each chapter.

Competition and Market Analysis

• Target Audience: Clearly define who will read this book (e.g., “Post-graduate students in British History,” “Architectural practitioners”).
• Competing Titles: List 3-5 comparable books (title, author, publisher, date) and explain how your book is different or fills an unmet need in the market. This is one of the most important sections.

Practical Information

• Word Count: Final anticipated length (often to the nearest 5,000 words, including notes/bibliography).
• Illustrations: Details on the quantity of figures, tables, and images.
• Sample Material: Typically the introduction and at least one complete sample chapter.

Phase 3: The Peer Review and Acquisition

The academic acquisition process is rigorous and highly collaborative.

1. Editor Evaluation: The Commissioning Editor reviews the proposal for fit with their list and market viability.
2. External Peer Review: If the editor is confident, the proposal (and often the sample chapters) is sent to a minimum of two anonymous, external experts (peer reviewers) in your field. This process is crucial for quality control and can take up to three months.
3. Author Response: You will receive the reviewers’ feedback and be asked to write a formal response, detailing how you will address their critiques and suggestions.
4. Publishing Acquisitions Meeting: The proposal, reviews, and your response are presented to Bloomsbury’s internal Publishing Board. If approved, a contract is offered. The contract will detail the delivery date, expected length, and remuneration (royalties).

3. Specialist Imprints (Varied Submission Rules)

Bloomsbury owns several specialist imprints that sometimes accept unsolicited submissions without an agent, though typically with strict guidelines:

• Military History: Often accepts unsolicited manuscripts with a synopsis, intended market, and competition comparison.
• Adlard Coles (Nautical): Generally accepts direct submissions of synopses and sample material for nautical, sailing, or boating books.
• Conway (Outdoor/Adventure): May accept direct proposals for outdoor, travel, and adventure books.

Always check the specific guidelines for the relevant imprint before submitting directly. If they say “agent required,” do not submit without one, as your manuscript will be disregarded.

Key Takeaways for Success

• Precision is Paramount: Whether crafting a query letter for an agent (Trade) or completing the proposal form (Academic), be precise, professional, and targeted.
• Market Awareness: Bloomsbury is a business. Your submission must demonstrate that your book fills a genuine need, has a clear audience, and can compete successfully with existing titles.
• Be Patient and Prepared: The entire process, from finding an agent to holding the finished book, can take two to three years or more. Be prepared for multiple rounds of revision and long waits for decisions.

[Academic Publishing: With Bloomsbury Publishing Editors] is a video that offers helpful insights directly from Bloomsbury editors about the process of submitting an academic book proposal.