Manuscript Management

HBM e-University > Scientific Research & Publishing > Publishing House


Phase I

Completing the Book Proposal Requirements

To help Hamdan Bin Mohammed Publishing House people make quick and authoritative decisions, authors need to provide the following in their proposals:

  1. Author’s CV (and that of any co-authors/editors)
  2. Book Proposal including:
    1. half a page each of:
      • Aims and Objectives
      • Intended Market (UAE and Overseas)
      • Competition (what it is, with details of publisher, price, publication date, how you intend to improve on it and how your book will differ)
    2. Chapter Plan
    3. 1-2 paragraphs on each chapter detailing content
    4. Sample Chapter(s)/Material (if available)


Phase II

Delivering the Typescript and Signing the Contract

  1. A complete print-out of the manuscript to be followed page-by-page, ensuring that all formatting is happening as expected, no sections are missing, and any graphics are inserted in the correct sequence.
  2. The completely-edited manuscript as a computer file. Likely authors use Microsoft Word or another word processing program. All graphics are expected to be remove (send them as separate files).
  3. Any graphics such as photos, drawings, charts or graphs are expected to be included on a disk or CD along with a list explaining which graphic has which file name, and where it will go in the manuscript.
  4. Photocopies of pages from a favorite book that authors wish us to emulate for your book’s layout. Include full size copies of at least the title page, a chapter opening page, and two following facing pages. If the proposed book will have endnotes, bibliography or an appendix, authors are expected to provide photocopied examples of those items also.
  5. The contract details filled in.


Phase III

Editing, Typesetting and Printing the Book

At this Phase, the main point of contact between the author and the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Publishing House is likely to be an assigned commissioning editor, but authors may well deal direct with other members of staff at various stages in the production and publication cycle.

In the course of signing the contract and delivering the typescript authors should stay in touch with the commissioning editors. The editing commissioner manages any plans for the book change and/or any foreseen problems in fulfilling any of the terms of the contract, such as the word limit or delivery date, etc.

Having checked, approved and accepted the typescript (after a final review by advisers or a series editor if necessary), the commissioning editor will pass it to be copied-printed. The commissioning editor continues to be the main contact for all matters other than copy-editing, proof-reading and proofing schedules throughout the production process. He or she will liaise with the author over the jacket or cover as appropriate.

A freelance Editorial Services Consultant will be appointed to work with authors on the typescript and page-proofs; whether in-or out-of-house, the Editorial Services Consultant will contact the author and collaborate based on a well defined planned production schedule.


Phase IV

Promoting and Marketing the Book

The Hamdan Bin Mohammed Publishing House will create marketing plans for promoting the books. Sales and marketing activity will be planned and implemented well in advance of publication and continues long after publication.The Author's Profile is a key tool for marketing: suggestions for promotional ideas authors make on this form are always carefully considered; the biographical and book blurbs that authors conclude on Author's Profile Form are used to prepare catalogue and sales copy as well as the jacket copy.