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General GuidelinesGoals of the SeriesThe principal objective of the wide-ranging series Options for Teaching is to collect within each volume different points of view on an issue or topic related to teaching language and literature. Series volumes have appeared on such professional issues as part-time employment, the teaching assistant, and school-college collaboration and on such topics as first-year writing programs and teaching languages other than English. A major focus of the series is the teaching of literature in all contexts. Whereas volumes in the MLA series Approaches to Teaching World Literature primarily concern specific literary works and writers, Options for Teaching offers more broadly based books devoted to teaching literature. Published Options volumes have treated, for example, such areas as children's literature and environmental literature. Other typical series books concern the teaching of theory, film, oral traditions, genres, periods and movements, and interdisciplinarity.Each Options for Teaching volume seeks to be a sourcebook of material, information, and ideas for nonspecialists as well as specialists, inexperienced as well as experienced teachers, graduate students as well as senior professors. An Options volume commonly begins with one essay or more presenting an overview of its subject--relevant history, important scholarship, major issues, and so forth. The balance of the book comprises essays reflecting diverse points of view, experiences, or teaching approaches. Volumes are broadly representative in the range of contributors; in the philosophies, methodologies, and critical orientations presented; and in the types of schools, students, and courses considered. Editors are responsible for addressing all major issues and approaches relevant to the subject. ProposalPersons interested in editing a volume in the series should write to Joseph Gibaldi, the series editor, stating their interest and outlining their qualifications for the task. Letters of inquiry, which should include a curriculum vitae for each editor, are evaluated by the series editor in consultation with other MLA staff members as well as members of the Publications Committee.If a title seems appropriate for the series, the series editor invites the prospective editor to submit a formal proposal. The proposal should address such questions as the need for the volume, its rationale and goals, and relevant professional, scholarly, and pedagogical issues. Although the final content of a volume depends to some extent on essay proposals received and on readers' comments and suggestions, the proposal for the volume should indicate projected essay topics and a tentative organizational plan. In preparing the proposal, the prospective editor should consult published series volumes. The series editor normally asks at least two specialists to serve as consultant readers of the proposal. On the basis of their evaluations, the series editor either returns the proposal for revision or presents it to the Publications Committee for preliminary action. By giving a proposal preliminary approval, the committee, in effect, invites submission of a full prospectus for evaluation, including annotated table of contents. ProspectusWhen a proposal has been approved, a notice appears in the MLA Newsletter announcing preparation of the book and inviting interested MLA members to submit essay proposals. The volume editor places similar notices in other appropriate publications and professional news outlets and plays an active role in seeking and selecting prospective authors.Before contributors are invited to submit essays, the volume editor sends to the series editor a full prospectus, including an annotated table of contents. This material is evaluated by a number of consultant readers, is discussed, and is revised until a final table of contents emerges. (See the Guidelines on Selection of Contributors.) ManuscriptThe manuscript should be prepared in accordance with the editorial guidelines in the Directions for Preparing Manuscripts. In preparing the manuscript, the volume editor should follow MLA style as outlined in the latest edition of the MLA Style Manual: parenthetical references in the text refer the reader to a list of works cited at the end of the book. Contributors, therefore, must supply a list of works cited for each essay submitted. From these lists, the volume editor compiles one general, alphabetically arranged list for the entire book. Content notes should be avoided.To avoid confusion over editorial matters, the volume editor should send with each invitation to a projected contributor guidelines specifying the nature of and intended audience for the volume, the length and nature of the essay desired, the style and format to be followed, editorial policy (e.g., the editors reserve the right to reject or request revision of manuscripts that do not conform to the guidelines or that fall below the quality expected from contributors), evaluation procedures, copyright information (the MLA will ask each contributor to assign copyright ownership to the association, with the proviso that contributors may use their essays elsewhere without permission), and the deadline for submission of essays. The complete manuscript, including all material but the index, should not exceed 300 typescript pages. When submitted, the complete manuscript is sent to at least two consultant readers, and their evaluations determine whether the manuscript is returned for revision or presented, along with the readers' reports, to the Publications Committee for a decision to publish. Production and PublicationAfter committee approval of a manuscript, each contributor receives an author's contract. During production of the volume, contributors receive the relevant parts of the copyedited manuscript and one stage of proof. When page proof is available, the volume editor prepares an index for the book. (See the Guidelines on Preparing the Index.) The editor and contributors receive royalties or honoraria and receive complimentary copies of the book.To maintain unity in the series and to ensure that all volumes are consistent with the philosophy and objectives of the series, the series editor plays an active advisory role in the preparation of each volume. He is routinely kept informed of all progress and is consulted at all significant stages in the planning and writing of the volume. Proposals should be sent to Joseph Gibaldi, Director of Book Acquisitions and Development
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