University press
Temple University Press
Academic, Nonfiction
Published Updated Reviewed every month · next review November 2026
About Temple University Press
Temple University Press is open to proposals from unagented authors of scholarly and general nonfiction. You send a proposal straight to the acquiring editor for your subject, by email (preferred) or by post.
Temple University Press is the university press of Temple University, based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It publishes academic and nonfiction books for adult readers. Its acquiring editors cover political science, urban studies and the Philadelphia region; literature, sexuality studies and Asian American studies; and sociology, criminology and sports. Each editor builds the list in their own fields, so the right contact depends on your subject.
Submissions are open today. You do not need an agent. You identify the editor who acquires in your field, or ask the Editorial Assistant, Nikki Miller, for help. You then send that editor a full proposal, preferably by email. If you mail hard copies, include a prepaid return envelope. The proposal must give your projected word count and the number of photos, tables and graphs.
What Temple University Press is looking for
- Political science, urban studies and books on the Philadelphia region (Aaron Javsicas, Editor-in-Chief)
- Literature, sexuality studies and Asian American studies (Sara Cohen, Editor)
- Sociology, criminology and sports (Ryan A. Mulligan, Editor)
- Proposals that name the primary audience: academics, students or the general public
- For classroom books, a list of courses where the book could be used
Publishes
- Academic
- Nonfiction
Specialties
- University press list
How to submit to Temple University Press
From its own guidelines- Find the editor who acquires in your field, or ask Editorial Assistant Nikki Miller.
- Write a proposal with overview, chapter outline, audience, comparable books, CVs and projected length.
- Add sample material and say whether the proposal is with other publishers.
- Email it to that editor, or mail hard copies with a prepaid return envelope.
Is Temple University Press right for your book?
A good fit if
This press suits scholars and nonfiction writers whose work falls in one of its editors' fields, especially books on cities, politics, sports or the Philadelphia region.
Look elsewhere if
If your book sits outside the editors' listed subject areas, look elsewhere. Do not mail original artwork with your proposal.
Questions about Temple University Press
Does Temple University Press accept unsolicited manuscripts?
Yes, Temple University Press accepts unsolicited proposals from authors without an agent. Rather than a cold manuscript, it asks for a proposal sent to the editor who acquires in your field. You can include sample material, up to the full manuscript, with the proposal. Do not mail original artwork. If you are unsure which editor fits your book, the Editorial Assistant, Nikki Miller, can point you to the right person.
How do I submit to Temple University Press?
You submit by sending a proposal directly to the acquiring editor for your subject, preferably by email. The proposal covers the title, author names, affiliations and CVs, an overview, a table of contents with chapter descriptions, the audience, comparable books, projected length and a timeline. State whether other publishers are considering it. If you mail hard copies, include a prepaid return envelope.
Where is Temple University Press based?
Temple University Press is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is part of Temple University. Its list includes a focus on the Philadelphia region alongside political science, urban studies, literature, sexuality studies, Asian American studies, sociology, criminology and sports. Writers anywhere can send a proposal by email, so you do not need to live in the region, but books about Philadelphia have a dedicated editor.
Listing history
- Checked on the publisher's own site
