Our collaborative approach Submitting a proposal
A brief introduction
Merrell is an independent publisher, with offices in London and worldwide sales and distribution. We specialize in publishing high-quality illustrated books on all aspects of visual culture (art, architecture, design and photography), cars and motorcycles, and popular science. We regularly work closely with museums, galleries and other institutions on publications relating to their exhibitions and/or collections, and commission authors, photographers and others to develop titles that are aimed solely at the regular book trade.
Our collaborative approach
Whether working with an institution or an individual, Merrell's approach is centred on a firm belief that close collaboration at all stages of a project not only provides comfort, but also helps to maximize the talents and experience of everyone involved. Typically, in the course of every project we undertake to:
  • comment broadly on the text and structure of the book at as early a stage as possible (we call this the critical read);
  • edit the text according to our US or UK style guide (as appropriate), following which we would send you a copy of the marked (edited) text, a copy of the corrected text, a word list (which would include proper names and unusual words, including our selected spelling of words with variable spellings to ensure their consistent use throughout the book and at all stages of the project), and a clearly presented list of questions arising from the editing process;
  • send you design samples and, in due course, the entire layout, for you to comment on;
  • send you first (and, if desired, subsequent) colour proofs, for you to comment on;
  • send you a proof-reading set of printouts (in layout form, with low-resolution images in place), for you to read concurrently with our own proof-reading of the text;
  • send you the index for checking (this will have been compiled in accordance with previously agreed criteria);
  • send you a copy of the plotter proofs (bluelines) to check;
  • attend the press pass at the selected printer, if feasible;
  • elaborate our sales, marketing and publicity plans;
  • arrange book launches, where appropriate;
  • send you copies of reviews;
  • keep you informed about sales.
All in all, we are utterly confident that the service we provide is entirely in keeping with the exceptionally high standards of our books.
Submitting a proposal
We are always happy to receive book proposals to review, and can assure you of a thorough and rapid response. Ideally, a proposal will include the following elements:
  • a brief (one-page) synopsis of the project, highlighting its subject-matter, scope, approach and purpose, and indicating why you believe it to be commercially viable;
  • an annotated table of contents to indicate how the book will be structured and what each chapter will contain in terms of subject-matter, numbers of words and numbers of illustrations;
  • a single chapter of sample text, if already written;
  • photocopies or printouts of sample images from the book, if available;
  • a brief (one-paragraph) biography of each author, which should highlight, in particular, why they are qualified to write on the subject of the proposed book and provide details of any previous publications;
  • an annotated list of related or competing works currently in print, highlighting how the proposed book differs from anything already available.
Please send your proposal, with a brief covering letter, to Julian Honer, Editorial Director, at the Head Office in London, who will be happy to discuss potential projects informally on the telephone or by e-mail.
We very much look forward to hearing from you, and hope we'll get an opportunity to work with you in the near future.
Editorial Director:
Julian Honer
jh@merrellpublishers.com
Merrell Publishers Limited
81 Southwark Street
London SE1 0HX
England
T +44 (0)20 7928 8880
F +44 (0)20 7928 1199