The Proposition

There are books written for audiences; then there are books conceived for a single purpose, a single legacy, a single name. Our VIP proposition was created for the latter.

Lex Academic brings together world-class academic editors, specialist researchers, typesetters, page designers, and master bookbinders to produce manuscripts of enduring substance and uncompromising quality. Whether you seek to commission a landmark work in your field, preserve a family heritage in authoritative form, or publish a magnum opus of private scholarship, then this is the proposition for you. Every VIP commission is assigned a dedicated Senior Editor who serves as your sole point of contact throughout. Timelines, scope, confidentiality, and format are all agreed upon before a single word is written.

VIP Project Types

I. Historical & Legacy Documentation

Works primarily concerned with preservation, record, and intergenerational posterity:

• The Legacy Volume
  • Definitive, archival histories of families, estates, or institutions
• The Memoir & Oral History
  • First-person or biographical narratives capturing lived experience and personal legacy

II. Intellectual & Scholarly Works

Projects centred on original thought, research, and contribution to scholarship or science:

• The Intellectual Work
  • Collaborative scholarship across disciplines such as design, philosophy, science, and economics

III. Artistic & Cultural Documentation

Publications focused on artistic practice, collections, and cultural legacy:

• The Art Catalogue
  • Museum-grade catalogues documenting collections, estates, or artistic bodies of work

IV. Fine Editions & Craft Publishing

Works defined by their physical form, craftsmanship, and limited production:

• The Private Edition
  • Handcrafted, limited-run editions produced for collectors, gifting, or archival purposes

V. Strategic & Influence-Oriented Publications

Books created to shape public discourse, authority, or professional positioning:

• The Strategic Publication
  • Commercially positioned works aimed at leadership, policy, and thought influence

Our Process

Every step of our work with you is conducted with the care befitting a project of consequence. From first conversations to bound copies, most VIP commissions span 12 to 24 months. The sequence of arrangement typically follows this structure:

1. Private Consultation: A confidential introductory discussion with a Senior Editor to understand your vision, intent, and requirements.
2. Proposal & Agreement: A bespoke written proposal is prepared, outlining scope, timeline, team, and investment allocation, followed by a signed agreement and full NDA.
3. Research & Creation: Your dedicated team (editors, researchers, writers, designers) begins work, with progress sessions at each milestone.
4. Publication & Delivery: Your work is produced, printed, and delivered in the agreed format — from digital files to hand-bound editions. The archive remains yours.

Only 12 Commissions per Calendar Year

To ensure absolute dedication to each commission we undertake,
we accept no more than 12 VIP projects annually.

What You Receive

A VIP commission is a complete, finished work that is bespoke across every dimension. However, these standard components are included in every commission:

• Senior Editor: A dedicated senior academic editor with subject expertise, assigned exclusively to your project for its full duration.
• Research Team: Primary and archival research conducted to peer-review standards, including access to specialist databases and private archives.
• Ghost-Writing: Discreet, authoritative writing in your voice and to your vision, shaped through structured sessions and iterative revision.
• Editorial Design: Full typographic design and layout by a senior book designer, encompassing cover, interior, and all visual elements.
• Index & References: Professional indexing, footnoting, and bibliography compiled to the relevant academic style guide of your choosing.
• Print Production: Coordination of production with specialist printers — from standard print-on-demand to fine-press limited editions.
• Digital Archive: A complete, organised digital archive of all research materials, drafts, and assets, delivered at project completion.
• Placement Support: For commercially positioned works, introductions to our publishing network, press contacts, and acquisition editors as applicable.

Enquire

If you have a very important project you would like to discuss with our Managing Editor, then please write to VIP@lexacademic.com. We look forward to hearing all about it.