Apply for the book manuscript workshop

The York Centre for Political Theory organises a Book Manuscript Workshop to provide a supportive environment to authors that have manuscripts close to completion but still open to revision.

The York Centre for Political Theory invites submissions for its 2025 Book Manuscript Workshop. Our book manuscript workshop provides a structure for generating constructive, informed criticism on book manuscripts close to completion but still at a stage where they can benefit from a review. The workshop’s aim is to make the book manuscript as strong as possible prior to submission for publication. The manuscript selected will be the subject of a day-long workshop at which each submitted chapter (typically, four in total) will receive critical commentary from reviewers, external and internal to York, with related areas of expertise. This is followed by a response from the author and a discussion with a broader group of invited political theorists from York and other UK universities.

Priority will be given to:

  • Manuscripts that engage meaningfully with the research streams of the York Centre for Political Theory and research carried out by its members
  • Manuscripts that are at a moment in the writing process when authors can most effectively utilize such feedback 

Interested authors are encouraged to email the York Centre for Political Theory with an expression of interest. Please get in touch through ycpt-enquiries@york.ac.uk.

The deadline for submission of expressions of interest is Thursday, December 19th, 2024 at 5 PM.

In your email, please include the following application materials:

  • a short CV (no more than 2 pages)
  • a one-page cover letter explaining the book’s significance to the field; how the manuscript links up to the research interests of the York Centre for Political Theory and its members; and why and how this opportunity will be important to the process of book completion and to the applicant’s career trajectory
  • project description of 2-5 pages, including title; summary of the argument; chapter summaries, with an indication of the 4 chapters proposed for discussion; timeline for completion and current stage of the writing process; whether the book is already under contract; a ranking of 6 potential external reviewers and names of possible internal reviewers
  • one sample chapter

The next workshop is to take place in June/July 2025.

Decisions will be communicated to applicants during February 2025.

Funds are available for travel within Europe and accommodation during the workshop for those who do not have access to institutional funding.

Previous Winners

  • 2023-2024 Rebecca Buxton - Membership and Exile: Political Inclusion and The
    Rights of Refugees
  • 2022-2023 Anthoula Malkopoulou - Theories of Democratic Self-defence: Exclusion,
    Toleration, and Integration
  • 2021-2022 Chris Armstrong - Ocean Justice