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Mary E. Laur

Executive Editor

I oversee our program of writing reference guides, including The Chicago Manual of Style; the two “Turabian” books, A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations and Student’s Guide to Writing College Papers; and The Craft of Research.

I am actively seeking new guidebooks for writers and editors—and teachers of writing and editing—in a variety of contexts.  I have a particular interest in guides that demystify the writing and publishing process (Writing Your Journal Article in Twelve WeeksThe Business of Being a Writer; What Editors Do) as well as those for creative writers (Writing FictionBehind the Book) and on communication of scholarly ideas and research to nonspecialist readers (Economical WritingThe Writer’s Diet). And I welcome works that encourage everyone from aspiring college students (Write Your Way In) to adventurous travelers (Writing Abroad) to think of themselves as writers.

I also acquire works for our Chicago Guides to Academic Life series, which has recently featured titles ranging from The Chicago Guide to College Science Teaching to Doing Honest Work in College, and other reference books, such as the landmark work The History of Cartography, Volume 4

My training as a historian (Northwestern University; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) and as a nonfiction writer (University of Chicago, among others) has shaped both my commitment and my approach to the books I acquire. 

I am pleased to work with senior editorial associate Andrea Blatz.

Prospective authors are encouraged to consult our submission guidelines. We also provide an overview about publishing with Chicago here.

Mary E. Laur

Titles

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