The writers we seek

Expertise

Each writer represents they have the expertise and credentials for their specific topic.

For example, they may be public intellectuals, think-tank researchers, NGO researchers, academics (professors, lecturers, PhD students) or others with relevant expertise and credentials.

Writers with strong or emerging reputations

Once a topic is selected, we will choose the writers based on our view of their credentials, their writing style, and the quality and completeness of their argument.

Some of our writers may already be renowned experts keen to reach a mass-market-potential audience. Others may not yet have established their 'names'. Contributing to our books may help writers establish or build their reputations.

That one writer may have better credentials than another doesn't mean we will choose them, particularly if their writing does not speak to a popular readership.

Clear, light and civil writing

All our writers need to be quick, capable, competent and strong writers, and good communicators for lay and even younger audiences. These books are intended for all ages, from senior high-school to grey nomads.

You must be able to write for us in clear and everyday informal language. This is not always easy for experts in a field. But it is essential for this series.

Our readers must not feel the need to consult a dictionary to understand these books.

Though the writing and arguments must be readily understood and enjoyed by all, they can’t be so simplistic that readers feel talked down to.

We want readers to enjoy the colour and vigour of the writing, its deft touch and, where it doesn't weaken the argument, its humour and light flourishes.

Reading these books should be an informative delight, not a chore.

In our books, our writers must be civil to their actual opponent as well as to others generally in the opposing camp. So they won’t use rhetorical flourishes such as sneer, ridicule or abuse to undermine their opposition’s credibility.

Mainstream advocates

Our writers will be passionate advocates for their side of the debate, but they will be mainstream, not extremist or shrill.

Writer location/ international-potential audience

Writers need not be based in Australia.

Physical books: though initially they will be published in Australia and NZ, we hope later to sell some of them internationally. Meanwhile, we expect they will be available for sale on some on-line bookstores.

Ebooks: we expect to publish digital versions of our books later, but can’t guarantee this yet.

Because of the international potential for some of the books, and also for context for the topic, a writer’s examples and arguments should not be exclusively Australian-focused, and will cover how other relevant countries deal with the same issues.

What do you receive if we publish your contribution?

• A chance to reach & convince a mainstream audience

• A potential boost to your reputation as an expert commentator

• The prospect of media interviews, & in-store events in Australia & potentially internationally

• Your name on the cover of & inside the book, & on our website as writer of one side

• 6 free copies of the book you have contributed to

• Up to a further 10 copies of that book, for your personal use only and not for resale, at a discount of 40% off the then current Australian recommended retail price (rounded to the nearest dollar). The RRP is currently A$19.99

• A nominal one-off payment (currently A$1,000)

Contributors pay us nothing either for submitting to us or being edited or published by us.

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