New book contract

Rutgers University Press logo

Elżbieta M. Goździak on a new book contract from Rutgers University Press

From a book prospectus to a book contract

Cover of my book on children trafficked to the US

I have recenty written about preparing a successful book prospectus. Indeed the book prospectus was successful and I signed an advanced book contract with Rutgers University Press' Childhood Series last week.

Myra Bluebond-Langner, an anthropologist, Chair of Pediatric Palliative Care at UCL Institute of Child Health was the founding editor of the series.

This will be my second book with this Press in the same series. My previous book book with Rutgers dealt with children and youth trafficked to the United States.

A leap from a book prospectus to a contract involves several steps. First, the proposal needs to be reviewed by the editor of the series for suitability. Second, if they like it, they forward the prospectus to 2-3 external reviewers. Third, the prospective author must respond to the reviewers, especially if they suggest any changes. Fourth, pending successful responses to the reviewers' comments, the editor presents the proposal to the Board of Directors. Finally, if the board approves the proposal, the editor and the prospective author start contract negotiations. If they agree, the contract gets signed!

A sneek peek at the book content

Title: Immigrant families and Education: Navigating belonging in Polish schools and society

Table of Content

Acknowledgements

Introduction: Researching and theorizing immigrant children’s belonging in Polish schools

Part I: Setting the stage

1. Educational policies and the immigrant child: Ad hoc solutions or long-term vision?

2. Children with migration background in Polish schools: A burden or an asset?

3. A tale of two regions: The importance of space and place

Part II: Children’s perspectives

4. “Polish is hard. I struggle a lot”: Language as a barrier to integration

5. “I don’t see myself in what we are taught in school”: Feelings of exclusion

6. Finding friendships and a sense of belonging through extracurricular activities

Part III: Parents’ perspectives

7. Public or private school? Decision-making processes in choosing schools

8. Communicating and building relationships with schools and teachers

9. Preserving language and culture within and beyond schools

Part IV: Educators’ perspectives

10. Educators narrate the challenges and successes of incorporating immigrant children

11. Bridging the gap? Preparatory classes and intercultural assistants

12. It takes a village: The role of formal and informal groups

Conclusions: Looking forward

Notes

Bibliography

Index

Back to work

The biggest task is still ahead of me. I have to finalize the whole manuscript by December 31, 2025. So far, I have written four chapters...eight more to go. Wish me luck!