The AUB Press is excited to launch a new initiative aiming to bridging the gap between high-level research and the curious public. This initiative aims to produce thought proving work that fits into an era where information is gauged on its snackability.
Submission Guidelines
Big Ideas, Small Footprint.
The series seeks to distill complex academic research and thought-provoking concepts into provocative, accessible, and well written pocket volumes. We are looking to publish works that challenge status quos and introduce readers and the intelligent generalist to ideas and concepts that academics at the university are working on.
1. Our Vision
We aren't looking for a dumbed-down version of your research. We are looking for the distilled essence of it. The goal is to take a singular, powerful argument or discovery and present it with the narrative clarity of an essay and the rigor of a scholar.
2. Word Count & Format
To maintain the pocket book readability, we adhere to strict length requirements:
- Total Word Count: 15,000 – 25,000 words.
- Chapter Length: Short, digestible chapters (approx. 2,000–3,000 words each).
- Structure: A strong, narrative-driven introduction; 4–6 core chapters; and a concluding "So What?" section that connects the research to the broader world.
3. Tone & Accessibility
- Demystify, Don't Dilute: Maintain intellectual depth, but define specialized terminology.
- Active Voice: Move away from the passive "it was observed" toward a more direct, engaging authorial voice.
- Narrative Hook: Use anecdotes, historical parallels, or current events to ground abstract theories.
- Minimalist Citations: Avoid dense footnote clusters. Use a "Further Reading" section or concise endnotes to keep the pages clean and readable.
4. Selection Criteria
We prioritize submissions that meet the following:
- Resonance: Beyond the timing of the research, why is this topic essential for the "intelligent generalist" to know? We look for work that shifts the reader's perspective or changes how they see the world.
- Portability: Can the core argument be summarized in a single, compelling sentence?
- Interdisciplinary Appeal: Does this work offer value and "intellectual depth" to readers outside your specific academic niche?
- Narrative Clarity: Can the research be presented as a "spear" (a sharp, focused argument) rather than a defensive archive of the field?
The main umbrella categorized themes we are looking for, but are open to others, are (these are subject to change):
- Digital Age: Technology and Society
- Planetary Crisis: Environment and Humanity
- Mind and Society: Brain, Cognition, and Culture
- Lives of Ideas: The History of Ideas
- Intellectual Biographies
5. Submission Package
Please submit a single document containing the below to aubpress@aub.edu.lb:
- The Hook (Abstract): A 300-word pitch that sells the "big idea."
- Outline: A brief paragraph describing the arc of each proposed chapter.
- Sample Chapter: 1,500–2,500 words that demonstrate your ability to write for a non-specialist audience.
- Author CV: Focused on your research credentials and any previous public engagement (blogs, talks, etc.).
Suggestions from the Editors
Think "Argument," not "Archive": A pocket book is a spear, not a shield. Don't try to cover every facet of your field; pick the one sharp point that changes how we see the world. We are trying to introduce topics that provoke thought, not lecture.
Read our Style Guide: Even if your work is accepted, we’ll ask you to adjust it to fit these guidelines, so it’s a great idea to give them a quick read before you dive into your draft! You can download a copy of the PDF here.