Small press
SBL Press (Society of Biblical Literature)
Academic, Christian, Nonfiction
Published Updated Reviewed every month · next review November 2026
About SBL Press
SBL Press accepts scholarly biblical studies proposals through its series editors. Send a letter, proposal, CVs and one or two sample chapters. The Atlanta based press of the Society of Biblical Literature reviews in up to four months.
SBL Press is the publishing arm of the Society of Biblical Literature, based at the Luce Center in Atlanta, Georgia. It publishes scholarly books in biblical studies through series led by series editors, alongside the Journal of Biblical Literature and other journals.
Book proposals go to the editor of the series that fits your project. Send a letter of introduction confirming the proposal is not under consideration elsewhere, a proposal with a 200 to 250 word description and a table of contents with chapter summaries, the CVs of all authors or editors and one or two sample chapters. If the editor is interested, outside reviewers are commissioned, and review typically takes up to four months.
What SBL Press is looking for
- Scholarly books in biblical studies
- Projects that fit an existing SBL Press series
- Monographs and edited volumes with clear chapter plans
Publishes
- Academic
- Christian
- Nonfiction
- Religion and Spirituality
Specialties
- University press list
How to submit to SBL Press
From its own guidelines- Find the SBL Press series that fits your book and its series editor.
- Write a letter of introduction that confirms the proposal is not under review at another press.
- Prepare a proposal with author details, title, a 200 to 250 word description, a table of contents with chapter summaries and manuscript details.
- Add the CVs of all authors or editors and one or two sample chapters.
- Send it to the series editor and allow up to four months for review.
Is SBL Press right for your book?
A good fit if
SBL Press suits biblical studies scholars with a monograph or edited volume that fits one of its series.
Look elsewhere if
Look elsewhere for popular devotional books or if your proposal is already under review at another press.
Questions about SBL Press
Does SBL Press accept book proposals?
Yes. SBL Press accepts scholarly book proposals in biblical studies through its series editors. Send a letter of introduction, a proposal with a short description and chapter summaries, the CVs of all authors or editors and one or two sample chapters. Your letter must say the proposal is not under consideration at any other press.
How do I submit to SBL Press?
Send your proposal to the series editor for the series that fits your book. The For Authors page encourages you to discuss ideas and drafts with the right series editor early. Series editors' contact details are listed with each series on the Society of Biblical Literature site.
How long does SBL Press take to review a proposal?
If a series editor is interested, they will notify you and commission outside reviewers. SBL Press says this review process typically takes up to four months. Because it asks that your proposal not be under consideration elsewhere, plan for that wait before approaching other presses.
Listing history
- Checked on the publisher's own site
