Quanta Books is a science imprint launched in partnership with Farrar, Straus and Giroux, and funded by the Simons Foundation. Our mission is to publish books that shape the conversation around cutting-edge science and mathematics while illuminating and elucidating their central questions and fundamental ideas for everyone.

Quanta Books was founded in 2024 by Thomas Lin, whose time as editor-in-chief of Quanta Magazine and as an editor and producer at The New York Times reinforced his belief that there is an enormous appetite for writing that embraces complexity and opens a pathway to profound scientific insights. After founding and leading Quanta for twelve years, during which time it received a Pulitzer Prize in explanatory reporting and a National Magazine Award for general excellence, among other accolades, Lin saw a new opportunity to serve readers. An eager, engaged audience for serious science journalism deserved serious science books, too.

In a noisy, entropic world, Quanta Books aims to contribute meaningful signals that stand the test of time. Our authors bring authority, curiosity, and intellectual rigor to their writing, exploring groundbreaking research, revealing stories of scientific breakthroughs, and spinning complex science into literary gold.

Thanks to the generosity of the Simons Foundation and our partnership with FSG, an imprint of Macmillan renowned for its tradition of literary excellence, we have the privilege to support the ideas of important thinkers and the commercial reach to bring our books to as many readers as possible.

Quanta Books is an editorially independent subsidiary of the Simons Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the frontiers of research in mathematics and the basic sciences. Since its founding in 1994 by Jim and Marilyn Simons, the foundation has been a champion of basic science through grant funding, support for research, and public engagement. The Simons Foundation believes in asking big questions and working to unravel the mysteries of the universe. We hope our books do the same—and bring the joy of discovery to readers everywhere.

Staff

Thomas Lin is the publisher of Quanta Books. He acquires books focusing on intellectually exciting and rigorous ideas from basic, fundamental areas of physics, biology, mathematics, chemistry, and computer science. He is looking to publish definitive narrative accounts of the biggest discoveries and trends moving science and math research today, elegant explainers about the central questions and ideas animating these disciplines, and the occasional revealing biography of a scientist or mathematician who changed our understanding of nature (or the language of nature).

He seeks to work with authors who are endlessly passionate and enthusiastic about the subject of their book, are leading authorities in that area (whether they’re a journalist who has long covered the subject or a subject matter expert/researcher), are gifted storytellers and communicators (or can collaborate effectively with a writer who is), have original ideas and an original voice, and who share our imprint’s public service values. Authors he has signed at Quanta Books include Kevin Hartnett, Terence Tao, and David Tong.

Tisse Takagi joined Quanta Books in 2024. She seeks work by scientists and journalists who grapple with big questions in fundamental science with authority and style. She is especially interested in reported narrative, lively explainers, and select biography, history of science, and natural history. Previously, she was a literary agent at The Science Factory (now Curious Minds Agency), and an editor at Basic Books and Oxford University Press. Authors she has worked with include Massimo Pigliucci, Vann Newkirk II, Regan Penaluna, C. Brandon Ogbunu, Helena de Bres, Ian Leslie, and Philip Ball.

Sheena Meng graduated summa cum laude from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she earned her BS in Information Science and BA in Comparative Literature. Before joining Quanta Books in 2024, she worked at MIT Press, n+1, and Harper’s Magazine.

Submissions

We welcome queries and proposals from scientists, mathematicians, and science writers, submitted directly or through a literary agent. As a mission-driven, public service imprint, we consider it our responsibility and privilege to demystify the book development and publication process for first-time authors.

We seek authors who grapple with big questions about the foundations of our universe and how everything in it works. We look for books that delight as they illuminate, and that broaden our perspective and challenge us to think in new ways.

Our core areas are physics, mathematics, biology, chemistry, and theoretical computer science, and within those subjects we consider reported narrative nonfiction, authoritative explainers of fundamental ideas, as well as select biography, history of science, illustrated guides, and natural history.

General Guidelines

We ask that proposals include the following elements:

• An introductory pitch/overview that: describes what your proposed book is about, and, more importantly, what it will do; explains why it’s necessary and what will make it distinct from others on similar topics; illustrates why you are the author to write it; and shows why now is the right time to publish it.
• An annotated table of contents, including chapter and section titles (if any). For each chapter, a ~3-4 paragraph summary of the planned content, highlighting the main argument or objective of the chapter. This section should show that you’ve thought deeply about the structure and narrative arc that will best guide a reader to your new perspective. How does each chapter build on the previous one, and do they all work together to deliver on your book’s ambitions?
• An analysis of the market and comparable titles, which concretely defines the intended audience for your book. Please include comparable books (comps) similar to your proposed book in audience and/or topic to illustrate why readers of those successful books will be drawn to your book, as well as any books on similar topics, describing how your book will stand out.
• An author biography that highlights why you are the person to write this book. Please include any institutional affiliation; relevant books or articles; direction of current research or focus of coverage; and any other highlights (awards, recognition, forthcoming career developments, etc.).
• An author platform section that features your connections and media experience (if any), as well as any audiences you reach through regular public engagement, whether through a newsletter, public talks, blog, etc. Please include: a list of people who may be willing to help promote your book on publication; a list of media interviews and appearances, including podcasts, TV, etc.; a list of published clips or featured publicity; any major talks and lectures; social media, podcast, newsletter details and follower or subscriber numbers (if any); institutional affiliations and connections that may help promote your book.
• A sample chapter that showcases your voice, style, and your approach to presenting the content of the book. It needn’t be the first chapter, but it should be legible as a standalone piece of writing.

Send your query or proposal to info (at) quantabooks.org. We look forward to hearing from you.