Publish your book with us
Overview for authors and editors
We invite you to join a community of world-renowned thought leaders who have partnered with Elsevier.
Elsevier has a proud publishing history built on valued partnerships with authors to bring quality products to professionals and institutions throughout the world. Today, as an information analytics company on the forefront of digital innovation, Elsevier’s commitment to these content partnerships has not wavered.
Digital delivery
When you partner with Elsevier, you will work with a dedicated team of professionals to create content that is optimized for delivery in a variety of electronic formats, including potential publication on the leading full-text scientific database ScienceDirect, which reaches more than 16 million users worldwide, or ClinicalKey, a medical search engine and database. When appropriate, books are also submitted to Scopus, the largest abstract and citation database of peer-reviewed literature: scientific journals, books and conference proceedings.
Smart authoring tools
You may have the opportunity to leverage our authoring tool Elsa to streamline the content creation process. Elsa uses smart features such as automatic numbering and re-numbering of manuscript elements such as figures, tables, boxes and references, and the Publishing Assistant helps ensure that your manuscript meets submission requirements in real-time.
Elsa also centralizes communication so you can easily collaborate with all your publishing partners in one place.
Our content types
We offer a range of digital and print products featuring books that suit different subject areas, information requirements, and customer needs across two major areas:
Science & Technology
Health Sciences
In these areas, our offerings include but are not limited to: reference, textbooks, Major Reference Works, serials, laboratory and practical manuals, clinics, learning platforms, atlases and research platforms.
Although this is not an exhaustive list, the following segmentation will help further identify subject areas in which we publish content:
Science & Technology: Life sciences, physical sciences & engineering, computing and social sciences & humanities
Health Sciences: Nursing, health professions and medical education; clinical and continuing education; and professional practitioner resources across subject areas.
To explore a full list, click here and then "Browse by subject" in the top right corner of our shop.
Submission process
Now that you have decided to partner with Elsevier, the next step is to create a proposal.
Science & Technology authors may download the proposal form for a book or for a book series and, when complete, send to our proposal mailbox with the following details in the subject line of the email:
"Proposal in [subject area] / [author name: working title]" (example: Proposal in mechanical engineering / Smith: Advances in Applied Mechanics)
Health Sciences authors, download the proposal form and when complete send to [email protected] with the following details in the subject line of the email:
"Proposal in [subject area / [author name: working title]" (example: Proposal in Dermatology / Smith: Atlas of Cutaneous Adverse Drug Reactions)
For additional information on what to consider when submitting a proposal, please visit the Health Sciences publishing overview.
For more information about our publishing ethics and generative AI policies, visit the Publishing ethics for books page.
Thank you for considering Elsevier as your publishing partner.
Marketing & distribution overview
At Elsevier, we know how much time and effort goes into the research and development of your work, and we consider it a privilege to help you showcase your completed book to the world. We focus on three key areas when bringing your book to market:
1. Discovery through Global Marketing Maximizing the discovery and awareness of your content through digital optimization, marketing automation, communication strategies, thought leadership opportunities and sales enablement.
2. Distribution through Global Sales Implementing a fully global sales and distribution strategy through our ecommerce channels, digital content platforms and established reseller partnerships.
3. Promotion through partnership Providing authors with social networking and promotion best practices as well as thought leadership opportunities to help them be an integral part of getting the word out about their new book.
Connect with us
Your knowledge and expertise are not only at the heart of what we do but also why we do it. We are honored to partner in the distribution of your content to a global audience. Feel free to connect with us on social media to stay informed and reshare relevant content for your audience!
Elsevier
Research & Reference (journals & books)
Clinical Solutions (medical professionals)
Medical, Nursing, and Health Education
Nursing & Health Education (North American)
Inclusion and accessibility
Our publishing team values diversity in all its dimensions. We are passionately committed to providing accessible content and increasing inclusion and equity in research, healthcare and education publishing.
Editors and editorial board members are encouraged to consider the need for appropriate and inclusive representation, as we aim to increase the inclusion of all groups, within our content and among our editorial advisors, reviewers, authors and contributors.
We encourage authors to use inclusive language that acknowledges diversity, conveys respect to all people, is sensitive to differences and promotes equal opportunities.
There is a lot to do to increase inclusivity in research and publishing, but we know that by working together we can support a stronger and more representative scholarly community of authors, editors and contributors, and a more diverse content offering.
Use of inclusive language
Inclusive language acknowledges diversity, conveys respect to all people, is sensitive to differences and promotes equity. Writing needs to be free from bias, stereotypes, slang, reference to dominant culture and cultural assumptions, while images and case studies should be representative of all populations.
We encourage authors to use inclusive and respectful language without bias against any person, with special attention to avoiding language that negatively portrays or describes any person based on factors such as age, gender, race, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, disability, neurodiversity, class or health condition.
Authors should ensure that writing is free from bias, stereotypes, slang, slurs, reference to dominant culture, and cultural assumptions. We recommend avoiding the use of descriptors that refer to personal attributes unless there is evidentiary-referenced scientific or clinical relevance. In those instances, authors must clarify how terms and definitions used in the referential evidence support the use of selected terms.
Download the inclusive language guidelines (PDF) and the more visual appropriate use for book authors infographic (PDF) as a point of reference. These resources are by no means exhaustive or definitive, and therefore for more detailed guidance, please refer to guidance from your Elsevier publishing contact.
Accessibility
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) (Directive 2019/882) is a European Union directive that aims to improve the accessibility of products and services for people with disabilities and the elderly. Elsevier has been compliant with the Act since it came into force in June 2025. Newly published ebooks include comprehensive alt text image descriptions, and video captions, audio description and transcription as required.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal law that aims to ensure equal access and opportunities for people with disabilities across various areas, including access to information and technology. Elsevier is adhering to the Act as our teams incorporate measures including the accessibility of book ancillary materials and online courses.
As new titles enter the production stage of our content development workflow, prior to publication and where there are images requiring alt text image descriptions, Elsevier is responsible for the creation and addition of alt text. The alt text is generated by suppliers that specialise in image descriptions using AI to generate the description, with human overview to ensure responsible use of AI. The author is given the opportunity to review the alt text during their regular proof review process and guidance is provided as part of the proofing instructions. Our Book Author Guide to Alt Text for Images covers what high-quality alt text is and how it appears in Elsevier ebooks, and provides an alt text proofing checklist.
Overviews of Elsevier’s approach are covered in our Elsevier Statement on the European Accessibility Act and Elsevier Statement on the Updates to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II.
We have launched an Accessible Format Request service for Elsevier ebooks, which allows readers to request accessible features be added to legacy titles for which they currently have access. For more information see Books Accessible Format Request service.