publiKaMurty Classical Library of India
Guidelines for MCLI Book Proposals
June 2010
General Aims and Scope
The Murty Classical Library of India (MCLI) publishes dual-language editions of the major works of South Asian literature. For the purposes of this series, “South Asia” is comprised of Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka; the chronological endpoint of MCLI is approximately 1800 CE. The series is currently publishing only
belles lettres, broadly conceived, but will eventually expand into philosophy and other realms of learning.
The target audience is general readers, undergraduate and graduate students, and professional scholars both within and outside South Asian studies.
MCLI books provide original-language texts with accurate and readable English translations on facing pages. It is expected that the translations are new, and prepared in a register that is both idiomatic and enduring, given that MCLI books remain in print in perpetuity. For the same reason, prose rather than verse translation is typically
preferred, though non-metrical poetic translations may also be acceptable. Scholars may offer new critical editions, but are not required to do so. Reprinted texts should be the best available, revised by the contributor where necessary. Scholarly introductions will be included (5000-9000 words), as well as very sparse text-critical and explanatory footnotes, and exegetical endnotes.
Submitting Proposals
Prospective contributors propose volumes to the relevant Subseries Editor* via email to the editorial assistant at [series email here] in accordance with the following guidelines.
Editors and Translators
Most volumes are edited and translated by one scholar. If more than one person is collaborating on a volume, please describe the division of labor. As a rule the total compensation for a single volume with multiple contributors will not exceed the compensation for a volume with one author. Compensation for a multi-volume
work, whether from one or more authors, is determined by the General Editor.
Sample
Provide a representative fifteen-page sample of edited text and your English translation of the sample.
CV
Include a copy of your CV.
Size of the volume(s)
Calculate the approximate page count of your book (with 375 words per page).
Timetable
Provide as realistic as possible a schedule for completing and submitting your manuscript.
Cover letter
Please submit a cover letter indicating the following:
The Value of the Work
Briefly explain the historical, literary, and cultural importance of the work. Supply a list of all previous editions and translations, and indicate any that are still in print or under copyright. This is especially important for the text-
edition to be used in the MCLI volume.
In general MCLI prefers to publish complete works. If you are proposing selections, please list them and explain the need for selection and the rationale for your choices.
Text
Indicate whether the text is your own edition or a revision of an existing edition, and briefly discuss your editorial principles.
Previous Editions and Translations
Provide examples of the improvements you will be making upon existing editions and translations, where these exist.
Audience
Do you envision a particular audience for your book? Is it suitable for adoption as a text book?
*Subseries editors:
Monika Boehm-Tettelbach (North Indian languages)
Sunil Sharma (Persian and Urdu)
David Shulman (South Indian languages)
Sheldon Pollock (Sanskrit, Prakrit, Apabhramsa, and all remaining languages)