RF Book Proposal

   REDFeather Mind, Body, Spirit Submission Guidelines

Over the years we have had the privilege and pleasure of meeting hundreds of people with wonderful ideas for new books and decks. For many of them, writing a book was only a far-off dream, something they hoped to do someday. With our encouragement they went on to produce a beautiful, useful addition to the literature in their field.

New ideas and authors are the lifeblood of what we do here. We have gathered a team of people who will do everything they can to make the concept of a book become a reality.

If you are one of those people who always dreamed of writing a book or creating a deck, we would love to hear from you. Below are guidelines for submission:

 

Please email your proposal to proposals@schifferbooks.com and include the following:

1. Completed Intake Questionnaire below (can be included in a Word doc or in the body of your email)
2. Images of your illustrations if this is a deck or illustrated title— please see details below under “Images”
3. Two sample chapters from the middle of the book (not the first two chapters)—can be submitted in Word doc or PDF
4. One additional writing sample (from prior articles or publications)—can be submitted in Word doc or PDF

Or send a package to: Book Proposals, Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310. (Include a SASE if you’d like your materials back.)

Please note that we don’t typically match authors with artists, please submit your proposal with the author and artist already planned.

 

Intake Questionnaire:

Contact Information

Name:

Mailing Address: (please include the street address for use by UPS or FedEx)

Home Phone:

Cell Phone:

Work Phone:

Email Address:

Website:

Social Media Handles: (please include link and list # of followers)

 

Book Concept:

Proposed Title:

Elevator Pitch: This is a _(what it is you are creating)_ that does _(the purpose of the project)_ for _(who is the audience)__ because _(why the audience will want it)__

If Tarot, please indicate the primary structural influence if applicable (e.g. Rider-Waite-Smith, Thoth, Marseille).

 

What is the basic idea of what you are proposing? What we need is a brief description—100 words or less—enough to let us know what you are thinking, but not more than you wish to reveal at this early stage of conversation.

What is your background in the field? (Author Bio)

What are the reasons to believe in this project?  What about the subject matter will draw readers? Why are you the right person to write this book?

Who is your target reader? Size, age, level of organization, etc.—What is the demographic? Who is the market?

What are the benefits and features? What does the reader gain from reading your book or using your deck? What is the important message? Does it solve a problem? How will it influence their life and help them on their journey?

Why are you writing this book or creating this deck? What is your goal?

A Look at the Content:

What are your desired specs for the project? Do you have a trim size or page count in mind? Is this a tarot or oracle deck?

Proposed table of contents or outline: How will you organize the information? If this is a book without a deck, prepare a chapter outline.

Sample Text: Please send a sample chapter or a writing sample or if a tarot or oracle, include a 200-word focus of the slant/theme of your deck or book and the writing that goes along with the illustrations you’ve provided.

Approximate word count: What is your estimated word count for the project?

Images: How many images or illustrations do you plan to include? Please send at least 4–6 high-resolution, print-ready samples for review. If a tarot or oracle deck, please supply 8–10 (preferably all) finished card illustration samples. If Tarot, please provide examples of both the Major and Minor Arcana (they do not have to be high resolution at this point, but be prepared to supply those). If you envision cards without borders, with bleeds going to the sides, there must not be important artwork for at least 1/4 inch around all sides. This is an area printers may cut off—you don’t want important parts of your image cut off. If there is art inside that 1/4 inch, we will be forced to use borders to protect your art. Ratios should be the same for each illustration/photograph for decks. Please note that you will be required to supply the original artwork or the original scans at the final submission.

Art Process: What media/art processes were used in the creation of the deck or images?

AI Usage: Was AI used at all in the creation of the art? To what extent?

 

Marketing and Competition:

Whom do you see as your competition? (list specific titles if possible)

How is your idea different? (What separates this from other offerings? Why is it unique?)

Have you authored other books? Did you receive any reviews or endorsements?

Who will help you promote and sell your book? What organizations, clubs, guilds, or other groups are you involved with?

How many people follow your work?

Who are your followers and how do they follow you? (social networks, blogs, newsletters)

How does the book fit into your business plan, brand, and sales strategy?

Do you plan on selling copies of your own book? If so, where? List trade shows, conferences, website(s), etc. 

Reach: Where do you see your book being reviewed, marketed, and sold?

Why Schiffer/REDFeather Mind, Body, Spirit:

Why did you choose to submit your project to us?

What is your best estimate as to when you could have the full manuscript, including all illustrations/images, in to us?

If there is interest in your proposal, we will contact you to set up a phone appointment. Please note that due to the volume of submissions received, it may take up to 12 weeks for us to contact you.  Thank you in advance for your understanding.