I am working on an academic book project with a major British publisher. (I selected “Doctorate” level in the menu because of no other relevant options, but it is for publication.) My book proposal had been accepted, and I signed a contract with them for publication pending acceptance of my final manuscript. However, my first manuscript submitted was very poorly evaluated. I have been given a chance to rewrite the entire manuscript by November.

The topic of the proposed book is about politics and religion in Japan.

Do you think you could help?

*For your information, the following is the negative feedback I received from the publisher:

“I’m sorry to say that we have received a review of Religion, State and Political Culture in Japan: Implications for the Post-Secular World, and unfortunately it is largely negative.
The reviewer feels that the manuscript lacks any theoretical framework, fails to engage with contemporary texts on the topic, and is, overall, poorly written and researched. Another major concern is the frequent references to Soka Gakkai, which could be construed as propaganda.
Unfortunately, we do not feel that the manuscript is publishable in its current state. Giorgio and Mustapha have worked hard to establish Critical Perspectives on Religion in International Politics and are reluctant to accept titles which they feel may harm the reputation of the series.
The reviewer has compiled a list of recent publications which he recommends reading to gain a wider perspective on the subject-matter:
– Maxey, Trent. The “Greatest Problem”: Religion and State Formation in Meiji Japan. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Asia Center, Harvard University Press, 2014.
– Helen Hardacre, Shinto A History, OUP, 2017
Breen and Teeuwen, A New History of Shinto, Wiley, 2011
– Teeuwen and Breen, A Social History the Ise Shrines, Bloomsbury, 2017
– Teeuwen and Rots, Formulations of the Secular in Japan, Japan Review, 2017