What kinds of books does Loyola Press publish?
We publish religion books for the general trade. Our books help readers live and pray as Catholic Christians—and to respond to God's invitation to embrace a lived faith.

What kinds of authors write for Loyola Press?
We publish about forty new books a year, so we are highly selective. We are looking for marketing-minded authors with fresh voices, experts with visibility looking for superb editorial and marketing collaboration, authors who love their Catholic faith and tradition and can open up its spiritual treasures to others, and authors who write simply and clearly—and with style.

What types of manuscripts are of interest to you?
Here are the specific categories we're looking for:

• Catholic spirituality: books that integrate spiritual wisdom with everyday life. We have a particular interest in Ignatian spirituality
• Catholic tradition: books that explore the time-honored traditions of the church and show what significance they have to our lives today
• Personal relationships: books that recognize the spirituality of human connections and that help families, friends, and colleagues relate to one another in loving and healthy ways

• Inner Compass by Margaret Silf
• The Gift of Peace by Cardinal Joseph Bernardin
• Spirituality at Work by Gregory F.A. Pierce
• Raising Faith-Filled Kids by Tom McGrath
• Heroic Leadership by Chris Lowney
• Go in Peace by John Paul II
• The Holy Way by Paula Huston
• Lessons for Living by John Paul II
• In the Arms of Angels by Joan Wester Anderson
• The Best Catholic Writing 2004 edited by Brian Doyle
• A Revolution of Love by David Scott
• Swimming with Scapulars by Matthew Lickona
• In This House of Brede by Rumer Godden
• Mr. Blue by Myles Connolly
• Do Black Patent Shoes Really Reflect Up by John Powers
• Helena by Evelyn Waugh
• Saint Francis by Nikos Kazantzakis

How do I interest Loyola Press in my manuscript?
You can grab our attention by supplying clear, compelling answers to these editorial questions:

• What is my book about?
• Why am I the right person to write this book?
• Why is now the best time to publish this book?
• Who is the self-selecting, core book-buying audience for my book?
• What will my book say of significance to those within this audience?
• What will make this audience go out and buy my book once they hear about it?

Will Loyola Press return my materials?
Yes, if you include a stamped, self-addressed mailer. Loyola Press receives thousands of unsolicited manuscripts a year and can not assume responsibility for returning materials that do not include return postage. Also, please do not send us originals of manuscripts, disks, photographs, illustrations, or anything else. We simply cannot accept responsibility for irreplaceable materials. Remember always save a copy of your work!

What is your main reason for rejecting a manuscript?
In most cases, we turn down manuscripts because they are unsuitable for our list. Loyola Press serves its mission, its readers, and its authors by concentrating on those books that we know we can publish successfully. In general, these are books in the categories described elsewhere in these guidelines. We turn down many proposals not because they are unsound but because we're simply not the best publisher for them.

Where can I reach you?
Please do not phone. You may contact us by letter, fax, or e-mail.

Address:
Loyola Press
Attn: Joseph Durepos
Senior Acquisitions Editor
3441 North Ashland Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657
Fax: 773-281-0152
E-mail: editorial@loyolapress.com

What should my book proposal include?

A book proposal should include the following:
Title Page:	A cover sheet including your book title, your name, and your contact information.
Overview:	3-5 pages of dramatically and powerfully stated summations that define your work and what distinguishes it from any other book on the market. This should include the central thesis and anticipate editorial questions. This needs to be a very tightly focused piece.
Approach:	Describe word length, number of chapters, types of illustrations, and any unique organizational schemes or formats.
Market Analysis:	Describe the target market for the book, and any facts, statistics, trends, or analyses that should persuasively convince us that this is a "can't miss" book. Remember, acquisitions are increasingly determined by the marketing and sales departments of publishing houses.
Promotion/Publicity:	Promotion is what we pay for; publicity is what you pay for. How will you publicize your book? Give us realistic suggestions based on your experience and skills. Can you speak to groups? Do you write for a newspaper or magazine? Are you in radio or television? How will you let people know about your book and send them into the bookstores to buy it?
Competition:	List five books that will compete with your book. Describe them briefly to show that you are familiar with these titles. This section shows how market savvy you are and is critical in conveying your awareness of the publishing realities necessary to be successful.
About the Author:	Give a strong description of yourself, other publications, relevant expertise in field, journalistic style is best. A formal vita can be included. This is really a showcase of your talent, career, and history—it is a statement that says why you are the perfect person to write the book that you are proposing. Include a professionally taken photograph of yourself if you have one.
Table of Contents:	List the titles of chapters included in the book with a brief explanation of the content if necessary.
Sample Chapter:	Include one sample chapter from your book that sells us on your proposal—be sure to include anything provocative and compelling that will appear in your book.
(Please do not bind or staple your proposal--simply use a binder clip instead. If we choose to pass it around for editorial consideration, we will need to make copies.)

Thank you for your interest in Loyola Press.