Tools and databases when finding a journal for publication 

The below list includes a variety of tools and databases that can be helpful to consult when you're looking for a journal to publish in. We'd also recommend heading to our Open Access Publishing page to find details on journals that are covered by our read and publish agreements.

Maximising the visibility and reach of your journal article

Increasing your research visibility can be quick and easy. Here are some tips to get you started - you don't need to do all of them; just choose what works for you:

Publishing an open access journal article

When publishing a journal article, making a version of the paper available open access has a wide range of benefits, including greater exposure for your work amongst researchers around the world, and individuals outside of academia. Additionally, many funders require open access publication, and for REF compliance a version of your paper must be made available open access within 3 months of acceptance. Information about the UKRI's policy for publishing journal articles and conference papers open access is available on our Open Access Publishing page.

At Essex, we support a variety of routes for open access publication. For journal articles, you can: 

• Publish in a journal with no fees to read or publish.
• Self-archive a version of your paper in the Essex repository.
• Make use of our read and publish agreements.
• Complete this form to request funding for open access publication.

To find out more about open access publishing and all of the above routes, head to our open access publishing guide.

Tips for writing an academic book proposal

The most important thing to remember when writing an academic book proposal is that you need to follow publisher guidelines. Every publisher has its own requirements, so always check their website and tailor your proposal accordingly. Essentially, you need to show the publisher why your work is the best fit for their list. After familiarising yourself with your chosen publisher's guidelines, consider the following:

• Craft a strong rationale: Explain the purpose of your book, its originality, and its contribution to the field. Identify the gap it fills in existing scholarship.
• Know your audience: Be specific about who will read your book (primary and secondary readership, courses, disciplines, regions). Publishers want clarity on market appeal. Including some real world examples of specific courses where your book could become a primary or secondary reading can help you to stand out.
• Situate your book: Compare it to similar or competing works. Highlight both overlaps and distinctive contributions.
• Fit the publisher: Make the case for why your book belongs in that publisher’s list or series.
• Show cohesion and clarity: For monographs, demonstrate a strong argumentative thread. For edited collections, show how chapters dialogue with each other and why the contributors were chosen.
• Provide detailed structure: Include a table of contents, chapter summaries (1-2 paragraphs each), and indicate approximate word counts. Detail methodology, scope, and theoretical framework where relevant.
• Include samples: Most publishers expect an introduction, overview, or a sample chapter to showcase your style and argument.
• Demonstrate feasibility: Give a realistic timetable for completion. If your work is currently unfinished, be honest about progress.
• Think practically: Indicate length, illustrations, referencing style, and whether the manuscript is based on a dissertation or prior research.
• Make the business case: Why is your book timely? Why will readers buy it? Reference successful comparable titles, and think about listing any special interest groups, discussion lists, or conferences in the field that would be interested in your work.
• Don't overlook marketing: If the publisher asks for marketing information on the proposal form, try to give answers specific to your work, not just the main general journals or reviewers in the field. Specialised journals, conferences, and groups help make a difference. You can also mention any media contacts you may have, and note anything unique or potentially newsworthy that might generate coverage or aid marketing. 
• Show credibility: Attach your CV. Highlight expertise, relevant publications, or recognition in the field.
• Be professional: A concise, well-structured, and polished proposal signals to publishers that you will deliver a high-quality book.

From PhD Thesis to academic monograph

After completing a PhD thesis, you might decide that you would like to publish an academic monograph based on your work. In these situations, the following tips will help to make this process more straightforward. 

1. Clarify your purpose: A thesis demonstrates your ability to define a topic, apply methodologies, and master a specific area. In contrast, a monograph offers a fresh perspective, weaving ideas into a coherent argument that informs and influences your field.
2. Know your audience: A thesis is written for a small, predetermined audience such as your supervisors and examiners, whereas a monograph usually has an international, broader readership. This could include students, researchers, policymakers, and even audiences outside academia.
3. Rethink and reshape: Simply revising your thesis is rarely enough. A monograph usually needs a new structure, a clear, authoritative voice, and a narrative that connects to wider debates. With this in mind, you'll usually need to condense or remove lengthy literature reviews, quote sparingly, and write with clarity and engagement in mind.
4. Be realistic about scope and time: Expect to add, cut, and reorganise extensively, remembering that turning a thesis into a monograph is usually a major rewrite. The process often takes at least two years, so keep in mind your career needs and resources before committing.
5. Seek advice and feedback: Draw on books, blogs, supervisors, and peers for guidance. Test ideas on colleagues who will give honest feedback, and discuss proposals with publishers either via email, or at conferences if you get the chance.

Some practical publishing steps include:

• Research publishers’ lists, series, and publishing models (commercial vs open access).
• Browse recent monographs in your field to understand expectations of style, structure, and scope.
• Don’t rush your proposal. Getting it right the first time helps to avoid potential rejection.
• Consider alternatives, and remember a thesis doesn’t have to become a monograph. Journal articles, edited collections, or other forms of publication may be more effective ways of sharing your research.

Publishing an open access monograph, book chapter, or edited collection

Like with journal articles, publishing a monograph open access has a wide range of benefits, including greater exposure for your work amongst researchers around the world, and individuals outside of academia. Additionally, if your monograph is the result of external grant funding, you may have a requirement to make a version of your work openly available. Information about UKRI's open access policy for monographs, book chapters, and edited collections is available via our Open Access Publishing page.

At Essex, we support a variety of routes for open access publication. For monographs and book chapters, you can: 

• Publish with a book publisher that offers free open access publication. The Open Access Books Toolkit has many helpful resources on publishing books open access, including how to find open access book publishers.
• Complete this form to request funding for open access publication.
• Self-archive a chapter in the Essex repository.

To find out more about open access publishing and all of the above routes, head to our open access publishing guide.

Other helpful resources include:

• Jisc's Open Access for Books tool offers an overview of publishers' book policies which will help authors and research organisations make informed and confident decisions in open access publishing and meeting funders' guidelines. 
• The open book environment dashboard provides helpful information on options for open access book publishing.

Copyright considerations when publishing a monograph, edited collection, or book chapter

When publishing an academic monograph, edited collection, or book chapter, it is important to be aware of copyright considerations and the terms set out in your publishing contract. These agreements vary between publishers and are legally binding, so you should always read them carefully before signing.

Unless publishing open access, publishers will usually require you to assign copyright to them, though some offer alternatives such as exclusive or non-exclusive licences to publish. Remember that even where publishers hold copyright, you retain moral rights, and it is often possible to negotiate terms around reuse and repository deposit.

Some top tips include:

• Read and understand the contract fully. Do not sign until you are clear on the implications.
• Check copyright terms:
  • Assignment = publisher owns copyright (you retain moral rights).
  • Exclusive licence = you keep copyright but cannot publish elsewhere.
  • Non-exclusive licence = allows some dissemination but not republication.
• Consider open access. If your work is funded, open access may be required. Even where not required, open access may be something you'd like to achieve for your work, so make sure to ask about this before signing any contracts.
• Look for repository clauses, as many publishers allow deposit in institutional repositories, sometimes with an embargo.
• Plan for reuse. If you want to reuse material (e.g., diagrams or chapters), you may need to request permission from the publisher.
• Negotiate if needed, especially around embargo periods and rights for self-archiving.

More information about copyright when publishing is available via our Copyright for Researchers page.