There are a number of ways to develop a list of presses to approach, starting with a glance at your bookshelf and bibliography or the AUPresses Subject Area Grid (linked below). But because lists change over time, it’s also important to keep an eye on who’s publishing what right now. Probably the easiest way to do this is by browsing the (in-person or virtual) book exhibit at your discipline’s major conference or by studying the ads in the conference program.
—Fordham University Press, May 2021
If you do not yet have a press in mind, there are several ways to build a list. You can consult the AUPresses Subject Area Grid to identify all the presses that publish in your field. You can look at who published recent prize-winners. You can also keep an eye on which press’s books are getting reviewed in the journals relevant to your research interests. Also, check your own bibliography and bookcase to see which presses have published the important recent work in your specialty. Talk to colleagues working in the same area as you are about their experiences with publishers. Regardless of where you start, also be sure to check the publisher’s website and recent catalogs to ensure you have the most up-to-date information on their areas of acquisition and submission or query guidelines.
—Michigan State University Press, February 2021