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[mamakath]

I've just started as a lecturer in a very good humanities department, and am looking to publish my book-of-the-thesis.  I've read a lot on the Chronicle fora about the importance of publishing with a press that's well thought of, but I've noticed that many of my new colleagues, and many in my old department (both of which were 5* departments) have published with Rodopi, or Peter Lang, or Edwin Mellen - certainly not prestigious presses and in case of the latter two, publishers that are often referred to as "vanity presses" on the fora.  Does it just matter a lot less where you publish in the UK?  Should I only worry about the reputation of the press I publish with if I'm going to be looking for jobs in the US?

Just curious...

[sandgrounder]

No where it's published is very important in the UK or at least. Big university presses are preferred then each discipline will have its pecking order.
I've only ever heard of Peter Lang of the three you mention: I do know that they do publish a lot of edited workshop proceedings in my field which may explain any chapters there - especially if the editor is from Belgium or the Netherlands. Rather surprised that unless you're from the Netherlands or Belgium where it does seem to have a different status you'd choose it for a book. Although I think they will publish unedited PhD dissertations: this is sometimes necessary to be awarded the degree at some European universities so possibily another explanation.

[argos1227]

FYI:  There's a newer thread on Lang that has some international flavo(u)r here:

http://chronicle.com/forums/index.php/topic,42838.0.html

[brummagem]

I appreciate Sandgrounder's response, but was wondering if others might weigh in.

Like the OP, I have noticed that many scholars in 5* departments seem to publish with non-university presses, including some that are (unfairly) maligned on this board (like Peter Lang). I realise that the answer to the original query is likely discipline-specific in some ways (I am in cultural studies, if that helps), but it is my impression, overall, that the publisher does not matter so much here as it does in the tenure-track crazy US.

[snape]

I am in Russell group university with colleagues who are well known and have published with Peter Lang.