Becoming a published author with AILA Publications can help you reach a diverse membership of more than 11,000 attorneys, as well as government officials and congressional representatives. Editorial opportunities with AILA Publications can range from writing a short article to authoring a renowned treatise.
One of the hallmarks of a vibrant professional association is its network of volunteer authors. Nowhere is this truer than with AILA. The best AILA authors and editors are good writers, have a solid grasp of their area of expertise (along with the ability to explain it), and are willing to commit the time to the task at hand. The time required can vary; writing a short article might take a weekend or two, while putting together a book can take several months. But it is a time commitment, to be sure, and you must judge your available time wisely.
Although not all articles, whether solicited or unsolicited, get published, we certainly do encourage submissions. So the first step in getting published is to contact us. Here are some of the possibilities:
If you'd like to write an analysis of a significant new case or law, or share your expertise on a specific area of practice (perhaps in light of new legislation or rulemaking), you should consider writing a two- to four-page (1,200-3,000 words) Practice Advisory. We are also looking for other types of articles-analytical, human-interest, or other articles of interest to your colleagues. For more information, please contact books@aila.org.
The AILA members who edit AILA publications are those who make the book happen. They often come up with an idea for a publication, or perhaps are editing a new edition of an existing publication. Depending on the type of publication, book editors might be responsible for compiling information, identifying any chapter editors/authors and substantively reviewing submissions, and/or writing something themselves. Some books have one principal editor, others may have co-editors or even a team of editors.
When we refer to an "authored book," we are talking about those titles in which an expert, usually on a royalty basis, writes an entire book composed of original content, e.g., Kurzban's Immigration Law Sourcebook, Regina Germain's Asylum Primer, or Mary E. Kramer's Immigration Consequences of Criminal Activity. If a proposed idea for an authored title fits within AILA's publication line and merits further discussion, we will work with the author to crystallize the proposal, including such items as a table of contents, sample chapter, analysis of the need for the book, and a schedule for writing it.
To submit a proposal, please send any relevant information to books@aila.org.
