There is a need to develop a tradition of authorship in Pakistan, particularly in scientific and technical disciplines. In addition to that, the  lack of detailed information on several topics of syllabi for students needs to be dealt with effectively. There is also serious shortage of quality textbooks and other supporting material. The available imported books are very expensive and are thus beyond the purchasing power of teachers and students.

Although local publishers in Pakistan are providing the requisite services at college and school levels, they are reluctant to enter the field of publications at the university level. Therefore, in order to cater to the publication needs at university level, Higher Education Commission has embarked upon a publication scheme of "Monograph and Textbook Writing" based on national curriculum topics in all disciplines including specialized subject areas. The 5 year PC-1 based scheme, approved at a capital cost of Rs.35.3 million comprises of national curriculum topics in all disciplines as well as specialized subject areas. The Scheme has been especially developed to provide high quality literature reagarding various topics.  

The Monograph and Textbook Writing Scheme aims to rectify the shortage of textual and support materials and encourages academicians to write high quality monographs/text book, giving them due recognition as writers. This publication scheme, therefore, attempts to create a cadre of authors.

The Scheme has following set of objectives.

Qualitative Objectives

• Making available low-cost textbooks and reading material to university and college students and teachers.
  
• Encouraging, identifying and promoting talent while developing authorship in universities and post-graduate colleges.
  
• Developing monographs that shall provide incisive knowledge in core areas along with special topics. 
• Developing textbooks in specified areas of subjects of the curriculum.

Quantitative objectives

• To produce at least 60 (36 Master level and 24 Bachelor level) monographs on selected topics of the curricula in 5 years in Basic, Social, Management, Behavioral Sciences, Art & Humanities, IT, Agriculture, Engineering and Health Sciences.
  
• To produce at least 78 Textbooks on the specified areas of curriculum related subjects in 5 years in Basic, Social, Management, Behavioral Sciences; Arts & Humanities, IT, Agriculture, Engineering and Health Sciences.

1. Who can write?   The opportunity to write is open to teachers/ researchers/professionals either in service - or retired from public or private sector universities, Centres of Excellence, Area Study Centres, Woman Study Centres, Pakistan Study Centres, degree awarding colleges/institutions and research/professional organizations across the country. 2. What topics can be covered? The authors  may choose from a diverse range of topics-keeping in view the HEC approved curricula-in new emerging fields such as IT, Robotics, Biotechnology, as well as Basic Sciences, Social Sciences, Management Sciences, Behavioral Sciences, Arts & Humanities, Agriculture, Engineering and Health Sciences. 3.  How to submit the proposals? In service authors may submitt their monograph/text book through proper channel along with documentary proof of expertise in their particular field. However, retired participants shall be required to submit two reference letters establishing credentials with a research organization.  4.  What support HEC provides? i. Cost of Remuneration: The author is paid remuneration equivalent to that of of Rs.1,00,000/- for the textbook(250-350 pages)for the M.A. /M.Sc. A writer aspiring to write a monograph at M.A./ M.Sc. level (150-250 pages) will be paid remuneration of Rs.80,000/ and Rs.60,000/- for monograph prepared for the B.A./B.Sc. students (150-250 pages). In case a monograph or a textbook is written by two or more authors, the remuneration will be distributed equally among them.  ii. Cost of Production: Actual expenditure incurred in preparing the manuscript of textbooks to be paid to the author/s on submission of relevant/actual receipts will be equivalent to Rs.12,000/- while that for the Manuscripts for monographs including M.A./M.Sc. and B.A/B.Sc. levels will be Rs.8,000/- which shall be paid to the author/s on submission of relevant/actual receipts.  iii. The Higher Education Commission will publish 500 copies of each monograph / textbook. Hundred copies will be provided to the author free of cost. Copies will be distributed gratis amongst central libraries, departmental libraries of universities and post-graduate colleges of the public sector wherein the concerned subject is taught. The remaining copies will be maintained in the Commission for sale on individual demand of institutions, teachers and students. iv. Besides the publication of 500 copies, on-line subscription of monograph / textbook will also be available on clicking “Book – House”. Whereas, the payment on account of sale of monograph or textbooks to students, teachers and or/others shall be received through bank/draft in favor of Director Finance, the Higher Education Commission.

Publish with HEC:-

Introductory Procedure comprises of six steps which shall be strictly followed during the publishing process. It follows as:

1. A teacher / researcher, inspired to write must first develop a book project proposal. The proposal must include a rationale of the project, its research plan, its relevance to the subject taught and its expected market. In case of a university teacher, the proposal must be officially certified by vice-chancellor of the concerned university. In case of a post-graduate college teacher, the proposal must be officially certified by principal of the concerned college. In case of researcher, the proposal must be officially certified by director/chairman of the concerned research organization/institute.The certified proposal must then be sent to the Project Director ‘Monograph & Textbook Writing Scheme’ Publication Division, of the Higher Education Commission for its further processing.
    

2. The proposal is reviewed at the Higher Education Commission and the author is subsequently informed of its acceptance or rejection. All administrative requirements are fully observed before starting the review process.
    

3. The synopsis for monograph or textbook outline, as the case may be, is then referred to two subject specialists for evaluation. In case of radical difference amongst the two subject’s specialists, a third subject specialist is appointed for the job. These subject specialists are selected from institutions other than the one wherein the aspirant author is teaching.
    

4. Once the subject specialists have approved the synopsis / textbook outline, the author/s are advised to write the monograph or textbook manuscript keeping in view the subject specialists' comments and are expected to submit the same in 4 - 6 months for monograph & textbooks.
    

5. After the manuscript is finalized by the author, he sends it to the Higher Education Commission from where it is redirected to the specialists for comprehensive review and final evaluation.
    

6. Upon clearance given by the subject specialists, the monograph / textbook is accepted by HEC wherein it is processed for printing.

Author Booklet: The booklet has been developed for monograph / textbook authors to provide them a standard format. The guidelines would ensure uniformity in preparation of the submission form, writing a book presenting the author’s research plans/findings in a standard style. The manuscript according to the guidelines would also facilitate its speedy publication at the Higher Education Commission. It provides accessible information in three documents that are easily downloaded.

HEC accepts only book proposals from in-service persons who will apply through proper channel, while retired persons may submit two reference letters stating that he/she has either taught in a university/college or conducted research in a research organization. Professionals may also submit through proper channel along with documentary proof of expertise in that particular field. Topics / subject areas should be based on recent changes introduced in the national curriculum approved by the various HEC Committees established by Curriculum Division of the Higher Education Division.   A book proposal should be submitted on ‘Format for Book Proposal Submission’ while manuscript should be submitted also on ‘Format for Manuscript Writing’ respectively (details are available at link page Publish with HEC).   The book proposal should be forwarded to the Project Director ‘Monograph & Textbook Writing Scheme’ Publication Division, of the Higher Education Commission through administrative channels of a university/ institution/post-graduate college.   A finalized manuscript is accepted for publication only after clearance is given by two subject specialists or evaluators.   A manuscript once accepted by HEC shall not be published elsewhere as ‘All rights reserved by HEC’ shall apply. However, in case the author asks for the transfer of rights for reprinting/second edition to an organization other than HEC,an agreement may be sorted out between both parties as per intellectual rights.   A complete and final text of the manuscript is expected to be submitted error free. The author may employ an editor for his publication where the charges for the same shall be drawn within limits of Rs. 12, 000/- for textbook and Rs.8, 000/- for Monograph.  The cost of production of book will be reimbursed by HEC on submission of actual bills.   The Scheme accepts only fresh and original book proposals as there is no provision for revised or second edition in the Scheme.

Q.1: Can I write a textbook at the graduate level?

Ans: No. There is no provision to write a textbook at the graduate level. However, you may write a monograph at the graduate level.

Q.2: Please mention, at which level a textbook can be written?

Ans: A textbook could be only written at the post-graduate level on all topics of HEC approved curricula.

Q.3: May I invite someone as co-author in writing a monograph / textbook and what is the procedure of remuneration distribution?

Ans: Yes, a book can be written by more than one author. The sum of remuneration would then be equally distributed among all participating writers as per rules of the Scheme.

Q.4 At what level can I write a Monograph?

Ans: A monograph can be written at both levels. i-e graduate and post-graduate.

Q.5: Is there any provision for second or revised edition in the Scheme?

Ans: No. there is no provision for processing of any second or revised edition in the scheme. The Scheme accepts only fresh and original book proposals either Monographs or Textbooks.

Q.5 What is a Monograph?

Ans: According to the definition of monograph as spelled out by Dr. Saeed A. Durrani in his book on Technical Writing (HEC-Publication, 2005) it is as follows: “By Monograph is meant a special book on a single – usually scientific – subject. There are two slightly different variant formats: it is a book written by a single author; or by two or more authors; or it is collection of articles or chapters written by several authors – covering different aspects of the given subject – and edited by one or two Editors.

Q.6: What is HEC – Book House?

Ans:  HEC – Book House is particularly developed to develop/create interest of teaching /researcher community for writing and in general terms to give information.