Resources for Authors

Acquisitions Editors

Harvard University Press is proud to publish works on a wide range of subjects. Find out more about each editor’s areas of interest and see recent works that are representative of their publishing programs.

Conference Exhibits

Our Editorial Department exhibits books and greets attendees at dozens of academic conferences every year. View a full schedule of exhibits planned for the current year.

Proposal Guidelines

Read an overview of our proposals process: questions to consider when preparing a book proposal, information that should be included, and how proposals are handled.

Manuscript and Art Preparation Guidelines

The following PDF files contain our most current guidelines for preparing a manuscript and any accompanying artwork for submission.

• General Instructions for Preparing Manuscripts
• General Guidelines for Preparing Art and Graphics
• Guidelines for Preparing and Formatting Notes
• Guidelines for Using Author-Date References
• Guidelines for Creating an Index
• Instructions for Reading and Responding to Page Proofs

If you have further questions, please contact us.

Permissions Guidelines for Authors

Note: If you are seeking permission to reproduce Harvard University Press material, please see our Rights & Permissions page.

AAUP Frequently Asked Questions Guide

In general, any author needs permission to reproduce any work (verse, prose, art, maps, charts and graphs, etc.) created by another person unless it falls under the “fair use” provisions of copyright law or is in the public domain. The Association of American University Presses (AAUP) publishes an excellent and thorough guide for authors regarding permissions and copyrights.

Determining Who Holds Rights

When determining who to contact in order to obtain permission to reproduce work, bear in mind that the copyright holder may be someone other than the author or publisher of a book in which the illustration appears. For example, in the case of a photograph in a book, you should check to see whether any other sources are cited, either in a photo caption, credit line (frequently these run vertically along the sides of photos), or at the front or back of the book. If another source is found, you might begin by contacting that person or institution. If no other sources are listed, then you should begin your inquiries by contacting the publisher.

Record-keeping

Keep copies of all of your correspondence requesting permission. When permission is granted, please send along any letters or documentation that permission has been granted as soon as possible. Send copies of any outstanding requests to your editor when you send your final manuscript.

Work-for-Hire Agreements

If you plan to employ an illustrator, photographer, or mapmaker, ask your editor to provide you with a work-for-hire form. The signed work-for-hire agreement should be sent to your editor along with your final manuscript.

Final Notes

Obtaining permissions for works included in your manuscript is your responsibility. Be sure to make all permissions requests for artwork as early as possible, as these types of requests can take months to clear.

If you have further questions, please consult directly with your editor.

Royalties for Foreign Authors

United States tax law requires that Harvard University withhold 30% of any payment to foreign individuals. However, foreign individuals who reside in countries that have a tax treaty with the United States can apply for an exemption from this requirement. See our page on royalties for foreign individuals for details.