The Humanities Center last ran its Book Proposal Workshop in 2022. The workshop was coordinated by Andrew Casper, Associate Professor of Art History, and culminated in a campus visit by Douglas Armato, Director of the University of Minnesota Press.
The program is not being offered in 2023. Instead the center is running a Writing for the Public workshop.
Details of the 2022 Workshop
Participants sent the Humanities Center a draft book proposal of at least 4 single-spaced pages by the deadline on the Faculty Opportunities page. All proposals were circulated to members of the workshop for review and critique. Each participant wrote a reader's report on two proposals. Participants read all proposals and readers' reports and provided constructive feedback on each project. Workshop sessions were designed to give each participant individual feedback on the project and book proposal. Sessions also covered the transition from dissertation to book, the creation and submission of a persuasive book proposal, contacting and working with editors, and repurposing the book proposal for grant applications. The workshop met Tuesday, January 12, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. and Wednesday, January 13, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Lunch was provided. Wednesday's session concluded with a reception and session on humanities grant applications. (Applicants were asked to keep open the afternoon of Thursday, January 14 as a make-up day in the event of snow. )
After the workshop, participants had one week to revise their proposals for submission to Douglas Armato of the University Minnnesota Press. They then had a one-on-one meeting with Mr. Armato on February 3 or February 4.
Like previous visiting editors, Mr. Armato was on campus only as a consultant, not as a representative of the press, and participants were told not to expect him to solicit or review material for publication. Mr Armato gave a talk on scholarly publishing Thursday, February 3 at 5 p.m. Workshop participants were expected to attend.
Faculty who completed the program received $250 in professional expenses.
