Elsevier Major Reference Works

New Project Brief

The information you provide will help us to evaluate your proposal so please provide as much detail as
possible.

1. Proposed title

---

Encyclopedia: An encyclopedia covers the breadth of topics found within a subject area introducing the
concepts and areas within that subject. Articles are typically introductory in tone and between 1,500 4,000
words long. Aimed at a broad range of readers who may be new to the subject area and seeking foundational
information
Comprehensive: A comprehensive focuses on a particular aspect of the subject area in depth. Articles are
significantly longer and more advanced in tone, delving into more depth on a subject. Articles are typically
between 15,000 25,000 words. Typically, due to the depth of focus of the subject, a reader will already have
a foundation within the subject and be looking to increase their specialized knowledge.

2. Editor information
Please provide your full affiliation details and your curriculum vitae (CV). Please include participation in
professional societies and journal editorial boards and any other relevant information .

3. Editorial structure
Our Major Reference Works usually have either 1-3 Editor(s)-in-Chief overseeing a panel of Section
Editors, who are responsible for recruiting chapter authors and reviewing. Please indicate how you plan
to structure your Editorial team. If you have a list of people you would like to approach to be Section
Editors, please provide name and affiliation details.

4. Elevator pitch
In one sentence, how would you describe this work and persuade the intended audience that they
should purchase it?

5. Short description
In 300-400 words, please summarize what this work is about. What is the fundamental concept of the
work? What new developments does it bring to the field? Why is the work needed, what problems does
it solve and how will it be used by the intended audience?

6. List of sections
a) Please provide a list of draft section headings, sub-headings and chapters (if known), with a
short description of each section. These should include the main topic areas that you would like
to cover.

b) How many articles (approx.) will each section contain?

7. Keywords
Please list 10 field-specific keywords or search terms that we could associate with the Work to improve
its discoverability on the internet.

8. New edition
If this is a new edition, please explain how it will be different and better than the current edition. What
will be changed? How many sections or chapters will be new? Why is a new edition necessary?

9. Audience and market

Who is the intended audience for the book and at what level? Describe your ideal reader. What
evidence exists to indicate a demand for guidance on the topic proposed? Please note the major
journals, societies or conferences in this field.

a) Primary audience: who will find it most useful?

b) Secondary audience: who may also benefit?

c) Major journals, societies and conferences?

 10. Competition
What are the key existing books on this topic and what are the strengths and weaknesses of your book
compared with these? Where else does your audience currently find this information?

11. Unique selling points

Please list 4-5 features and explain the benefit to the reader of those features, explaining what will
differentiate this title from the competition. For example, comprehensive coverage in one place offers
researchers a one-stop shop for information on the subject that is not available easily elsewhere.

What would you say is the main problem that this Encyclopedia will solve for its users? Why is the
Encyclopedia going to be useful for them in their work?

12. Multimedia
We encourage the use of multimedia in our Major Reference Works. Please list any multimedia features,
such as audio, video, slideshows or other interactive content you wish to include. Multimedia currently
available for MRW content is as follows:

3D Viewer for Molecular and Crystallographic Models

Virtual Microscope
Interactive Maps
Videos
Database Linking

See http://www.elsevier.com/about/content-innovation for further info on these tools.

13. Related reference module

In which of the following reference modules would the work be appropriate for inclusion?

Reference Module in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences

Reference Module in Chemistry, Molecular Sciences and Chemical Engineering
Reference Module in Biomedical Sciences
Reference Module in Materials Science and Materials Engineering
Reference Module in Food Sciences
Reference Module in Neuroscience and Behavioral Psychology
Reference Module in Life Sciences

Further information about the Reference Modules is available here: www.referencemodules.com

14. Reviewers
We will be sending this proposal for review to independent experts in our network as well as any names
you may suggest. Please list up to 5 persons qualified to give an opinion on your book proposal, along
with their affiliation and email address.

Thank you. Please return the completed form to your Acquisitions Editor.