University press
Melbourne University Publishing Ltd
Nonfiction, Academic, Art and Photography
Published Updated Reviewed every month · next review November 2026
About MUP
MUP is open to unagented nonfiction proposals through Submittable. You send a proposal with a detailed chapter breakdown and a sample chapter, and MUP aims to reply in about 12 weeks. Its pages mention no fee.
Melbourne University Publishing is a university press based in Carlton, Melbourne. It was founded in 1922. It publishes scholarly and trade nonfiction under Melbourne University Press and lavishly illustrated books on Australia’s national story under Miegunyah Press, covering art, photography, architecture and gardens. Its list follows the University’s academic strengths and Australia’s place in Southeast Asia, and it considers books developed from theses if they are written for a general audience.
MUP takes proposals through Submittable and does not read hard copies. You include a detailed chapter breakdown and a sample chapter (preferably the opening or introduction), plus illustration samples if relevant. Simultaneous submissions are allowed, but say so in your proposal. MUP asks you to allow three months, and if you hear nothing after twelve weeks you should pursue other options. Scholarly titles get two blind peer reviews and go to the Editorial Advisory Board.
What MUP is looking for
- Authoritative scholarly and trade nonfiction of quality
- Books on Australia's national story and history
- Lavishly illustrated books on art, photography, architecture and gardens
- Books developed from theses or academic research, written for a general audience
- Historical and biographical titles
Publishes
- Academic
- Art and Photography
- History
- Memoir
- Nonfiction
Specialties
- University press list
How to submit to MUP
From its own guidelines- Prepare a proposal with a detailed chapter breakdown.
- Add a sample chapter (preferably the opening or introduction) plus illustration samples if relevant.
- Submit through MUP's Submittable page and say if the proposal is with other publishers.
- Allow twelve weeks, then pursue other options if you have heard nothing.
Is MUP right for your book?
A good fit if
MUP suits academics, historians and nonfiction writers with a well-researched book on Australia, its history or its place in Southeast Asia.
Look elsewhere if
Look elsewhere if you write fiction, children's books, poetry, how-to guides or textbooks. Do not send a hard-copy proposal, since MUP will not read it.
MUP imprints
Which take submissions| Imprint | Direct submissions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Melbourne University Press | Yes | Scholarly and trade non-fiction |
| Miegunyah Press | Yes | Lavishly illustrated landmark books on Australia's national story; art, photography, architecture, gardens |
| Meanjin | Not stated | Listed as an imprint; no submission details on the MUP pages (literary journal) |
Questions about MUP
Does MUP accept unsolicited manuscripts?
Yes, MUP accepts unsolicited, unagented proposals for nonfiction through Submittable. It does not want full manuscripts by post and will not read hard-copy proposals. MUP publishes scholarly and trade nonfiction and illustrated books, but not fiction, children's books, poetry, how-to guides or textbooks. Its pages mention no submission fee, and you can send your proposal to other publishers at the same time.
How do I submit to MUP?
You submit a proposal through MUP's Submittable page. Include a detailed chapter breakdown and a sample chapter (preferably the opening or introduction), plus illustration samples if your book is illustrated. Say in your proposal if it is also with other publishers. If your book grew from a thesis, make sure it is written for a general audience, since that is what MUP looks for.
How long does MUP take to reply?
MUP takes about 12 weeks to respond to a proposal. If you have heard nothing after twelve weeks, MUP asks you to pursue other options. Scholarly titles that move forward go through two blind peer reviews and then to the Editorial Advisory Board, so the full process takes longer than the first reply. You may submit to other publishers while you wait.
Listing history
- Checked on the publisher's own site
- Checked on the publisher's own site
