Want to be an astronomy book author?

Springer publishes and distributes 7,000 new books and 3,000+ journals annually around the world. I know from seeing their stall at AstroFest and in doing book reviews for Astronomy Now that Springer is quite a big name in both high-end astronomy and at the popular end. Their list of almost 300 amateur astronomy titles currently in print is at www.springer.com/sky (then click on the ‘Popular Astronomy’ link).

John said: “We are constantly looking for new authors and new talent, so I’d be most grateful if you could pass this on to your members! If anyone has something to say, and a willingness to write a book to share it with other amateur astronomers, please ask them to get in touch with me.

“It doesn’t usually matter if there seems to be a similar book in print – either in Springer’s list or in those of other publishers – as there is almost always room for a different take on most subjects.

“I’m looking for books that will ideally make 200 pages or more of the usual paperback 156 x 234mm (9 x 6 inches) format. Although these are by no means ‘coffee table’ books, any amount of colour illustration is no problem.  All our amateur astronomy books are produced as paperbacks, but also as eBooks.  Kindle versions are available, and also Apple iBooks.  We pay our authors royalties on all book sales, along with a cash payment (on publication) for Springer’s own combined eBook packages.

“If a book’s concept looks like something we would want to publish, I can email a detailed ‘proposal form’ which, in addition to giving a lot of useful advice about how to present a book to a publisher, also sets out formally all the information I need to put the book forward in New York for contract approval.
“Needless to say, everything will be kept in strict confidence and will be shared only with the relevant Springer editorial staff.”

If you want to find out more, email John at john.watson@clara.co.uk