So I sent the book to a British publisher (Liverpool UP) back in October. They’ve been dragging their feet ever since, taking months to answer emails and exhibiting every sign of being understaffed. I didn’t mind because I wanted to do heavy editing on the first draft anyway and needed time. I have now done that but they are still moving at a glacial pace.
I sent the manuscript to a Canadian press to see what else is out there (McGill-Queens UP). It’s meaningful to me because McGill is my true alma mater. Plus, it’s slightly more prestigious than Liverpool UP according to the three AI tools I asked. McGill-Queens is very well-organized. They respond immediately. They are “extremely enthusiastic” and think the book is “fantastic.” They want some serious changes to the intro chapter but these are not ideological changes (which I wouldn’t accept). These are changes to the structure and how the material is organized which I don’t particularly mind.
The main criteria I’m looking at are how prestigious the press is and how fast they can put it out.
So I don’t know. I might go with the Canadians because I don’t want to hit retirement age before the book sees the light of day.
Clarissa's Blog 
Congratulations! McGill-Queens is prestigious, but so is LiverpoolUP. Well, LiverpoolUP seemed to be prestigious some years ago. Some of the best books I read about Hispanic literatures and intellectual history were published there.
What do you have to prove? Go with McGill-Queens! I am just sad that LiverpoolUP seems lost and understaffed.
Ol.
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LUP is prime evidence of the consequences of austerity. Breaks my heart.
McGill-Queens’ books often get reviewed by the Times Literary Supplement. I’d be over the moon to be reviewed in TLS so there’s that. Plus, a Canadian publisher is always good.
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