Prima Health Submission Guidelines

Prima Health titles include Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine by Michael Murray, N.D., and Joseph Pizzorno, N.D., The Alternative Medicine Ratings Guide by Stephen Bratman, M.D., Magnet Therapy: The Pain Cure Alternative by Ron Lawrence, M.D., Ph.D., Paul J. Rosch. M.D., F.A.C.P., and Judith Plowden, and Propecia: The Hair Growth Breakthrough by Othniel J. Seiden, M.D.

Please include the following information when sending a proposal to Prima Publishing:

1. Brief explanation of the book. What is the manuscript about and why would someone buy it? The explanation should describe the contents of the book while also enticing the reader to know more about it. The overview is also an opportunity for the author to display his or her unique writing style.

2. Detailed table of contents and chapter outlines. Break the manuscript down into individual chapters, and write a paragraph discussing the information in each chapter.

3. Sample chapter. The editor will need to see your best chapter in order to evaluate your writing.

4. Anticipated market for the book. Who is the target audience? Publishers are looking for profitable books, and, especially if it is a new area for Prima, we need to know the size of the market and the likelihood of reaching it. What makes your book unique from others already on the market? How will you promote the book? Will it have appeal outside the usual trade bookstore channels? Are there books currently on the bestseller lists that reach the same type of market?

5. Competition for the book. Are there competing titles and other books currently on the market on the same or similar topic? How and why is your book different? Does your proposed book fill a niche presently open? Identify the competition but tell us how your book will surpass that competition because of the added material or new slant it offers.

6. Author's qualifications. What makes you the right person to write this book? Tell us about your career experience and educational credentials as well as your experience in the area of your subject and with the media, for example, speaking and teaching experience. Do you have periodical, journal, or book writing experience?

Prima does not publish original fiction, personal narrative, or poetry.

If you are a first-time author, the book should be completed before the proposal is sent. Please do not send a manuscript unless specifically requested.

For help in preparing a proposal, refer to Prima’s The Writer’s Guide to Book Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents by Jeff Herman.

When communicating with Prima, or with any other publisher, it is standard practice to include a self-addressed stamped envelope so your proposal or manuscript can be returned to you. If the author does not send a self-addressed stamped envelope, he or she will not receive the work should it be rejected; this means your work will be discarded.

Please allow four to six weeks for an answer.

PLEASE ADDRESS MANUSCRIPTS TO: