Books | Columbia University Press (2024)

FAQs

What are university press books? ›

A university press is an academic publishing house specializing in monographs and scholarly journals. They are often an integral component of a large research university. They publish work that has been reviewed by scholars in the field.

By the end of 2021, OUP USA had published eighteen Pulitzer Prize–winning books. In July 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic its Bookshop on the High Street closed. On 27 August 2021, OUP closed Oxuniprint, its printing division. The closure will mark the "final chapter" of OUP's centuries-long history of printing.

But while commercial publishers focus on making money by publishing for popular audiences, the university press's mission is to publish work of scholarly, intellectual, or creative merit, often for a small audience of specialists or a regional community of interest.

University presses pay low or no advances, the up-front money you get on signing a contract. Any advances they offer are typically under $1,000. But your book can do well if it hits it big or keeps earning royalties over time.

It will take a minimum of 1.5 years (24 months is more common) from the time you submit your complete manuscript to an academic publisher to the time your academic book is published.

Now considered America's largest university press, Chicago has three operating divisions—Books, Journals, and Distribution Services. The Books Division publishes approximately 280 books a year, has published over 14,000 books since its founding, and has over 7,700 books in print.

Oxford publishes accurate and authoritative texts. And, the English spelling and vocabulary is not at all difficult to adapt to for American readers.

Paying for article processing charges

When required by the publisher, open access for short form publications like articles and conference proceedings are paid for using an 'article processing charge' (APC). This charge can average between £2-3,500 but can be as high as £10,000.

From the late 1800s OUP began to expand significantly, opening the first overseas office in New York in 1896. Other international branches followed, including Canada (1904), Australia (1908), India (1912), and Southern Africa (1914). Today, OUP is a global organization with more than 5,000 employees worldwide.

Some presses even favor experimental forms, while others publish only poetry, novellas, or short fiction collections, all of which the Big Five consider unprofitable. While the money may not be big, small presses and university presses have numerous advantages.

Is it better to self publish or get a publisher? ›

Self-publishers get more control and a higher royalty rate, but some traditional authors enjoy working with agents and other publishing professionals who guide them. Therefore, no one will know for sure what's best for you, except you, of course.

University Presses

These publishers are usually not-for-profit and are a significant force in academic publishing, producing high-quality scholarly works in various fields, including humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.

The Press has earned a distinguished reputation by publishing excellent work from the nation's leading scholars, writers, and intellectuals and by presenting that work effectively to wide-ranging audiences. Established in 1922, UNC Press was the first university press in the South and one of the first in the nation.

The average cost of publishing a book is around $2,000–$4,000, but many authors spend a lot less or a lot more. Publishing a book can cost as little as $0 in some scenarios. On the other end of the scale, there are also authors who spend $10,000 or more. That's a very large range, but there's a good reason for it.

Self-published authors can earn 40% to 60% royalties for the selling price of a book, while traditionally published authors typically earn 10% to 12% royalties. First-time authors willing to publish traditionally will receive a prepayment. This is usually $10,000 (not so much for first-time authors).

A publisher owned and controlled by a university. Works produced are more likely to be scholarly in content. University presses are often used as vehicles for publishing research, and are more important for author recognition than mass sales.

Publishers own the copies they have printed, but usually do not own the copyright to the book itself. In contrast, printers merely print a book, and sometimes offer limited distribution if they are a POD printing press.

Academic Press

And while the books they publish are reviewed and considered scholarly, they do not go through the same peer-review process that academic journals go through. Examples: Oxford University Press, Columbia University Press, Prentice Hall, Pearson, etc.