Frequently Asked Questions

For Authors | Ordering | Permissions | Service

For Authors

I’ve got a good idea for a new book, who can I talk to about it?

As we're busy working on the manuscripts we've already accepted for publishing we don't have a lot of time to talk about ideas for books, though we're happy to talk to you if you need advice beyond what's supplied on our website. The best thing is to obtain our catalogue and/or search our website which gives you a good idea about the books we publish, the way to submit manuscripts, the process of assessment and what publishing with ASP involves. Our new free publication, An Information Kit for Indigenous Authors also has information about getting published. If you still don't have enough information, call (02) 6246 1183.

Everyone tells me I should publish my life story. Can I send it to you to get it printed?

ASP is a publisher, not a printer. That means we take responsibility for choosing what we publish and we carry the costs. We have limited resources and so can't publish every manuscript that we receive. Our free publication An Information Kit for Indigenous Authors provides lots of information about how publishing works, and how ASP works. You can find out more about what books we publish, how to submit your proposal and how we assess which manuscripts we accept on our website. Once ASP signs a contract with an author ASP carries the cost of editing, designing, printing, marketing and publicising the book. ASP pays authors via fees or royalties.

I'm preparing a manuscript for you. How do you want the manuscript presented?

Check all the sections of Submitting a Manuscript. Our ASP Publishing Style Guide for Authors and Editors gives more information.If you still have queries, call (02) 6246 1183.

I’ve got a great title for my book and I know exactly what I want on the cover. When can I give you this information?

If you have a good idea for the title of your book you should keep it to yourself until close to the time the book is published. Book titles aren’t protected by copyright so you don’t want someone else taking your idea. You need to bear in mind too that ASP, like other publishers, will retain the right to the final choice/approval of the book’s title. ASP will encourage you to let us know what you’d like on the cover. As with the title, ASP retains the right to make the final choice/approval of the cover design, having consulted sales people and booksellers. ASP pays for the cover design.

Do you use scholars and professionals as manuscript reviewers?

Yes we do. Manuscripts that fit the ASP guidelines go through a peer assessment review. These are the most suitable people to judge the quality of the content and the likelihood of it reaching its intended reading audience.

I have a publisher interested in my manuscript but they want to work with another publisher. Do you ever do co-publications?

Yes we do, but selectively. Send your proposal to us in the way suggested Submitting a Manuscript, and spell out the relevant information about co-publication.

I’d like to submit an article for the AIATSIS journal. What do I do?

Go to the Australian Aboriginal Studies journal page. Download and follow the instructions for contributors.

Why isn’t my book in the local newsagent or in country bookshops?

Like all publishers, ASP can’t force any bookseller or newsagent to stock its books. They make the decision about what they want to sell based on what they think they can sell. However, our trade distributor has sales reps visiting bookshops around the country and has a strong tele-marketing team. ASP uses its website, publicity and targeted marketing material to make sure the people most likely to want to buy our books know about them and can order them.

My book isn’t where I expect it to be in the local bookshop, can I just move it?

This isn’t recommended as it just confuses the bookshop staff who then don’t know where to direct people. Booksellers choose which books they’ll stock and the way they’ll display them. Let ASP know and we’ll contact the bookshop via our distributor.

How do I get interviewed on radio or TV. Do I just call them up and ask them?

As part of its marketing campaign ASP will use freelance publicists to help get the best coverage of its titles in the media. This means print reviews and radio and television. This process must be controlled by ASP. Prior to publication, let us know of any contacts you may have in the media or suggestions for marketing so we can act on them.

Ordering

How do I order a book?

Use our Order form, and fax it back to us. Alternatively, email us, letting us know which title and the quantity of books. Note that if you don’t have a credit account with us we require payment in advance. Packing and postage is extra.

Which bookshops sell your titles?

All good bookshops carry a range of our books and all bookshops can order our books through our trade distributors: NewSouth Books (Australia) orders@tldistribution.com.au, IPG (North America) orders@ipgbook.com, Gazelle (UK) sales@gazellebooks.co.uk. Visit Selected Bookshops for key booksellers in each state.

If I order from you how long does it take to send and how much does it cost?

We dispatch most orders three to five days after we receive the order, sometimes sooner. Check the costs for postage.

Can I order from outside Australia?

Yes, for North America use IPG and for the UK use Gazelle. For individuals and organisations in Australia and the rest of the world send your order to sales@aiatsis.gov.au. Booksellers in Australia order from NewSouth Books. See Information for the Trade.

Can I return something I ordered?

Orders placed with ASP are firm sales unless the goods are damaged or faulty in which case we’ll replace them or refund your money. Booksellers who order through our distributors need to follow their terms of trade.

I'm a bookseller. Can I buy from you? What discounts are we entitled to?

Booksellers in Australia and North America need to purchase through our trade distributors for North America use IPG and for the UK use Gazelle. Booksellers in the rest of the world can purchase from NewSouth Books. See Information for the Trade.

How can I order your journal?

To order or subscribe see the Australian Aboriginal Studies journal. Individual back copies of some editions are available for sale.

I’m one of your authors. Do I get a discount?

Yes, authors and contributors to books are entitled to 40% discount on those books.

Permissions

I’d like to reproduce some material from your books, and some other ones, too. What do I have to do?

Our Permissions page has some general information about copyright, how to determine what you need to seek permission and how to go about it. Basically, if you’re using someone else’s words, or illustrations, or tables or graphs, and they’re still in copyright, you need to seek permission to use them. You may also need to pay a fee to do so. The forms we supply should make your task much easier.

Can’t I just copy the Aboriginal Australia wall map for my students or put it on my website?

No. The map is copyright and you need to seek permission from us to use it. It’s culturally sensitive and we need to ensure that the relevant disclaimers and warnings are included and that it’s used in a culturally sensitive way. For more information go to our Permissions page.

Service

I'm unhappy with ASP’s service. Who’ll fix the problem?

If you can’t resolve your difficulty with the relevant ASP staff member, please contact the Acting Deputy Director on (02) 6246 1131. Alternatively contact the Director at rhonda.black@aiatsis.gov.au. At ASP, we’re a small team and we value our authors and everyone else involved in creating, marketing and selling our publications. We will respond promptly.