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Meet the Press

The NIU Press publishes non-fiction on a variety of topics in the humanities, arts, and social sciences. With more than 400 books in print, each year it brings out about twenty new books on aspects of history, politics, anthropology, and literature. In fulfilling its broadly educational mission, the Press publishes books for inquiring general readers as well as for specialists.

How to Submit a Manuscript

We at Northern Illinois University Press welcome book proposals and inquiries concerning manuscripts appropriate for our list. An author should submit (preferably via email) a brief prospectus, consisting of a table of contents, an introduction, a sample chapter, and vita to the appropriate editor. We cannot accept unsolicited manuscripts sent by e-mail or return unsolicited manuscripts sent via mail. Please note that our authors usually have professional credentials and that we do not publish unsolicited poetry.

Russian studies, European history, religion, history of religion, philosophy, and transportation:
Amy Farranto, Editor
afarranto@niu.edu
(815) 753-9946

U.S. history and regional studies:
Sara Hoerdeman, Editor
shoerdeman@niu.edu
(815) 753-9907

NIU Press is pleased to announce a new book series: Orthodox Christian Studies. While NIU Press has a long-standing tradition of publishing books about the Russian Orthodox faith, this series will offer a global view of Orthodox Christianity—from East-West relations to studies of the faith in Churches around the world. The series editor is Roy Robson, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. Members of the editorial board includ: Predrag Metejic (Ohio State University), Vera Shevzov (Smith College), Stephen J. Shoemaker (University of Oregon), Theofanis Stavrou (University of Minnesota), and Christine Worobec (Northern Illinois University). Please contact Amy Farranto regarding manuscript submissions. The first book in this series will be published in Fall 2009.

NIU Press is pleased to announce the launch of its new fiction imprint, Switchgrass Books. Switchgrass Books is committed to enhancing the cultural landscape of the Midwest by offering a forum for publishing dynamic, original voices of literary fiction. With its roots in the rich soil of the Midwest, Switchgrass will be the premier publisher for authors and readers of novels grounded in the region.
Please visit the Switchgrass web site for submission guidelines.

NIU Press is acquiring in the series, Drugs and Alcohol: Contested Histories, which investigates cultural, legal, economic, and medical histories of alcohol, drugs, and other substances such as coffee and tobacco. The advisory board includes David Courtwright, University of North Florida; David Fahey, Miami University (Ohio); David Gutzke, Missouri State University; and James Mills, University of Strathclyde. Contact Sara Hoerdeman regarding manuscript submissions.

Over the years NIU Press has published numerous award-winning books. Following is a list of books and awards earned since 2000.

Between God and Tsar: Religious Symbolism and the Royal Women of Muscovite Russia
Isolde Thyrêt
• Heldt Prize, Association of Women in Slavic Studies, 2002
• Ohio Academy of History Outstanding Publication Award, 2002

Beyond the Eyes of the World: Mexico and the 1968 Olympic Games
Kevin B. Witherspoon
• North American Society for Sport History Book Award, 2009

The Colonial Moment: Discoveries and Settlements in Modern American Poetry
Jeffrey Westover
• Outstanding Academic Title, Choice, 2005

Converging Worlds: Religion and Community in Peasant Russia, 1861-1917
Chris J. Chulos
• Samuel Ostrowsky Award in Humanities, 2003-2004 (for best piece of work produced by a faculty member in the School of Liberal Studies at Roosevelt University)

Crusading Liberal: Paul H. Douglas of Illinois
Roger Biles
• Award of Excellence, Illinois State Historical Society, 2003

Divine Sovereignty: The Origins of Modern State Power
Daniel Engster
• Honorable Mention, American Political Science Association First Book Prize, 2001

Founding Corporate Power in Early National Philadelphia
Andrew Schocket
• Ohio Academy of History Outstanding Publication Award Winner, 2008

“Godless Communists”: Atheism and Society in Soviet Russia, 1917–1932
William B. Husband
• Outstanding Academic Title, Choice 2000

An Honest Calling: The Law Practice of Abraham Lincoln
Mark E. Steiner
• Award of Superior Achievement, Illinois State Historical Society, 2006
• “Best of the Best of the University Presses”, American Library Association, 2006

Illinois: A History of the Land and Its People
Roger Biles
• Award of Excellence, Illinois State Historical Society, 2006

In the First Line of Battle: The 12th Illinois Cavalry in the Civil War
Samuel M. Blackwell, Jr.
• Award of Excellence, Illinois State Historical Society, 2002

Lincoln, Religion, and Romantic Cultural Politics
Stewart Winger
• Barondess/Lincoln Prize, Civil War Round Table of New York, 2004

Love and Conquest: Personal Correspondence of Catherine the Great and Prince Grigory Potemkin
Douglas Smith, editor and translator
• Heldt Prize, Association of Women in Slavic Studies, 2004 (best translation)

Merging Lines: American Railroads, 1900–1970
Richard Saunders, Jr.
• George W. and Constance M. Hilton Book Award, Railway and Locomotive Historical Society, 2002

The Once and Future Budapest
Robert Nemes
• Outstanding Academic Title, Choice, 2006

Possessed: Women, Witches, and Demons in Imperial Russia
Christine D. Worobec
• Heldt Prize, Association of Women in Slavic Studies, 2001

Sal Maglie: Baseball’s Demon Barber
Judith Testa
• Best Biography, Society of Midland Authors, 2008

Saving the Heartland: Catholic Missionaries in Rural America
Jeffrey Marlett
• Honorable Mention, Benjamin F. Shambaugh Award, 2003

Slaves, Sailors, Citizens: African Americans in the Union Navy
Steven J. Ramold
• Honorable Mention, Peter Seaborg Award, George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War, 2003

Speaking in Soviet Tongues: Language Culture and the Politics of Voice in Revolutionary Russia
Michael S. Gorham
• Outstanding Academic Title, Choice 2003
• Best Book in Literature and Culture 2004 (American Association of Teachers of Slavic and East European Languages)

“Whores and Thieves of the Worst Kind”: A Study of Women, Crime, and Prisons, 1835–2000
L. Mara Dodge
• Award of Excellence, Illinois State Historical Society, 2003

Working the Rough Stone: Freemasonry and Society in Eighteenth-Century Russia
Douglas Smith
• William W. Reese II Memorial Book Award, 1999-2000