FAQ: Alumni Authors CATalogue
When was the Alumni Authors CATalogue created?
The NAA began seeking submissions for the Alumni Authors CATalogue in spring 2023 on World Book Day. The NAA launched the Alumni Authors CATalogue in September 2023. Submissions are accepted on an ongoing basis. Email virtuallypurple@northwestern.edu.
Who can submit a book to the Alumni Authors CATalogue?
What criteria is used to select books and authors for the Alumni Authors CATalogue?
- Alumni-authored: a book written by someone who has completed at least one credit towards a degree-granting program. At this time, we are unable to list those who have completed a certificate through Northwestern
- Submitted by an alumni author
- Includes a 13-digit ISBN number
I am a Northwestern certificate holder. Can I still submit a book?
The Northwestern Alumni Association defines alumni as any individuals who have completed at least one credit towards a degree-granting program at Northwestern. At this time, we are using Alumni Authors CATalogue criteria and are not including those who have completed a certificate through Northwestern.
Will the Northwestern Alumni Association publish all books received?
The NAA reserves the right to include or omit alumni-authored books at its discretion.
Are books by Northwestern faculty included?
At this time, only Northwestern alumni-authored books are included in the Alumni Authors CATalogue. A faculty member must also be a Northwestern alum to have their book(s) included in the Alumni Authors CATalogue.
My book is in a language other than English. Can it still be included in the Alumni Authors CATalogue?
Yes, please submit your book for consideration.
Can books be included that are edited, translated, or illustrated by Northwestern alumni?
At this time, we are only including books that are authored by Northwestern alumni. Please submit your information for consideration. We will keep it on file should we expand the scope of the Alumni Authors CATalogue in the future.
I self-published my book. Can self-published books and eBooks be included in the Alumni Authors CATalogue?
If your book has an ISBN number, it can be considered for inclusion in the Alumni Authors CATalogue.
In a coming update, the NAA will note when a book has been self-published.
Can I submit a book on behalf of an alum?
Are books available to purchase through the Northwestern Alumni Association?
No. The NAA does not sell books from the Alumni Authors CATalogue at this time. It is intended to be a directory of alumni-authored books.
What are you doing with an author's personal info when they submit a book?
Book listings will show the following information based on what an author submits: Name, class year, book title, genre, and some author identity information. Author identity information is used for search filters and can include race or ethnicity, gender identity, and whether the author is a member of the LGBTQIA community. Authors can choose not to include identity information in their submission. Personal/identity information will be added to our internal alumni database to deepen our understanding of who our alumni are and how they identify. See here for Alumni Relations and Development privacy and database policy.
My book is in the Alumni Authors CATalogue but I did not submit it. How was it incorporated?
When a book is submitted for the Alumni Authors CATalogue, the NAA strives to confirm that the author has approved the book for submission. If one of your books is in the Alumni Authors CATalogue and you would like it removed, please reach out to us at naainfo@northwestern.edu.
I've submitted my book for incorporation. When will it appear in the CATalogue?
We are currently making changes to our website and, as a result, will not be updating the CATalogue until summer 2025.
How are identity-based designations determined?
Identity-based designations are self-reported and have not been confirmed by the NAA.
Is the NAA providing financial support to authors in the Alumni Authors CATalogue?
No, the NAA is not providing financial support to the authors listed in this directory. This is intended to be a catalogue only.