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Resources → Editors → Special issues and guest editors

Maney journals include special or themed issues as a benefit for both authors and readers. Authors have their articles published with comparable work which provides a wider scholarly context for interpretation and citation. Readers have the benefit of a number of related articles usually in the forefront of current debate, research or professional practice.

Special issues can be the delegated responsibility of a member of the Editorial Board or another specialist in the subject, and may derive from a conference session or a call for papers. However, all papers are refereed, and subject to the same quality control as for the rest of the journal.

When approaching a Guest Editor, it is important to ensure he or she understands the journal’s peer review procedures, and that it is clear who has ultimate responsibility for the acceptance of papers. A schedule for the submission of draft manuscripts, and a deadline for the delivery of accepted papers should be agreed, following consultation with the Managing Editor and Production Editor. If the journal uses the Editorial Manager™ online submission and refereeing system, you may need to arrange for support to be provided from the Publishing Department. Even if the Guest Editor is familiar with Editorial Manager™, familiarity with some additional features is required to ensure submissions to a special issue are correctly identified. For more information about Editorial Manager™ please click here and visit our FAQ page.

Production of the special issue
It is important that Guest Editors understand the production process of the journal, and the number of pages available for the commissioned articles, to ensure that the publication of the special issue proceeds smoothly. Guest Editors should be briefed about journal style and production procedure as early on as possible and should in turn ensure that their authors’ contributions are submitted correctly and to style. To find out more about the production process and how Editors work with their Production Editors please click here.

With the advanced planning and scheduling of special issues opportunities for targeted promotion, for example at specific conferences, can be explored and implemented. A draft list of contents should be shared with the Production Editor and Managing Editor as soon as possible, and updated as papers are accepted.

Editorials
Journal Editors are encouraged to write editorials highlighting the key features of the journal issue. These are always made free to view in the online version of the journal. Editorials are especially important for themed issues as they provide an introduction to the papers, place them in context, and communicate the Editor’s, or Guest Editor’s, views on further work to be done.