Where are the Instructions for Authors?

These are available at Instructions for Authors.

 

Do I need to read the Instructions for Authors?

Yes. Our Instructions for Authors are only one page so it won't take long! They contain vital information on style, format, etc.

 

Do I have to assign copyright?

Yes. Please complete and return our Copyright Transfer Form. We must have a signed copyright form for each chapter.

 

I am a government employee and cannot assign copyright?

Our Copyright Transfer Form contains a clause "For government employees to the extent transferable" so you are only transferring copyright to the extent that you are permitted. You should sign and return the form.

 

Will assigning copyright to you prevent me from using my figures or tables in subsequent publications?

No. Our Copyright Permission Policy enables you to use any of your own original material from your chapter in any subsequent publication.

 

Where do I send my manuscript?

To your editor. Send it by email unless instructed otherwise by your editor.

 

Do I need to supply a hardcopy of my manuscript?

No. You do not normally have to send a hardcopy unless your editor has specifically requested one.

 

What is the deadline for submitting my chapter?

Your editor will have given you a deadline for submission. If you have any questions relating to timescales or deadlines please contact your editor.

 

Do I have to submit by the deadline?

Yes. Sometimes with multiauthor books a situation can arise in which some authors submit their manuscript on time while others are considerably late. When the book is eventually published the chapters submitted in a timely manner are noticeably out-of-date. To avoid this unfair and often contentious situation we try to adhere to a strict timescale. Therefore we ask you to facilitate this process by submitting your manuscript on time (earlier would be very much appreciated!!!). If you have any questions relating to timescales or deadlines please contact your editor.

 

What is the style and format for the reference section and citations?

Information on this is available in our Instructions for Authors.

 

How long should my chapter be?

Information on this is available in our Instructions for Authors but you should also liaise with the editor of the book.

 

How many figures and tables can I have?

There is no specific limit but you should liaise with the editor of the book. Please also read our Instructions for Authors.

 

Can I have colour figures?

Colour figures are not recommended due to the high cost of printing. If you supply colour figures you may be asked to contribute to the cost. Please ask your editor for details.

 

Can you correct my English?

No. Manuscripts must be in perfect English. If English is not your first language please have your work corrected by someone who has English as their first language before you submit your chapter.

 

Can I use previously published figures or tables in my chapter?

You are advised NOT to submit any material that has been published previously. If you do, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner, normally the PUBLISHER of the original article (not the author). You are also responsible for the payment of any fee that may be payable to the copyright owner.

 

Why can I not use previously published figures or tables in my chapter?

Copyright law prevents us from publishing copyrighted material.

 

Can I use previously published figures or tables if there is no copyright?

Some publishers give "blanket" permission for authors to re-use or adapt their OWN work and in these cases authors do not need further permission. In addition, a small number of open access publishers allow all their published material to be freely distributed and reused. You need to check the policy of the original publisher. It is your responsibility to ensure that you do not infringe copyright.

 

How do I get permission to use copyrighted material e.g. previously published figures or tables?

You must get permission from the copyright owner, normally the PUBLISHER of the original article (not the author). You can ask the copyright owner (original publisher) to sign our Permissions Form. Please send us the signed form. You are responsible for the payment of any fee that may be payable to the copyright owner.

 

Is it OK to "adapt" a previously published figure or table?

You still need permission from the copyright owner, normally the PUBLISHER of the original article (not the author). You can ask the copyright owner (original publisher) to sign our Permissions Form. Please send us the signed form. You are responsible for the payment of any fee that may be payable to the copyright owner.

 

What is copyright and how can I avoid infringement?

Copyright is a set of rights that includes the right to copy, distribute and adapt the work. Copyright does not protect ideas, only their expression. In the case of previously published figures or tables, normally it is the PICTORIAL PRESENTATION of the information that is copyright, not the information itself. Rather than adapting the original figure, draw your own figure. Even though it presents the same data or information as the original, as long as it does not significantly resemble the original you probably will not need permission from the copyright owner. For example, a bar chart is not the same as a pie chart even though it contains the same information. If you draw your own figure (rather than "adapt") you probably will not need permission from the copyright owner and you can reference the original article in the text of your chapter rather than in the figure legend.

 

Can you draw, redraw, touch-up or adapt figures for me?

No. We are not able to offer help with your figures. They will be printed as supplied by you.

 

What file format can I use to send my manuscript?

Word or RTF for the main text file. PDF or JPG is preferred for figures (>300 dpi); each figure should be in a separate file. Figure legends should be supplied in the main text file.

 

Do I get proofs of my chapter?

You will in due course receive page-proofs of your chapter by email. Please follow the instructions that will be sent with your proofs regarding corrections and return within the specified timeframe.

 

Can I have a PDF file of my chapter?

Due to copyright issues we are unable to supply PDF files of the chapters.

 

Do I get payment for writing my chapter?

Due to the economics of publishing high-level academic books it is not possible to offer a monetary payment. However corresponding authors are entitled to a free copy of the book and all authors are entitled to a discount. For details visit Author Discount.

 

Do I get a free copy of the book?

Normally there is an allocation of "one free book per chapter". The free book is usually sent to the designated corresponding author. Please check with your editor.

 

Can authors buy books at a discount?

All our authors are entitled to a discount on our publications. For details visit Author Discount