RSP - Cov Open Press

Journals

As a journal is a more collaborative proposition, we invite customised proposals but request that they address the key points outlined below (for books, a standardised proposal form is available, but one that leaves ample space for any relevant information the form does not request).

Each journal should have its own editorial team, comprising named managing editor(s) and editorial board, which should consist of at least six named editors and be international, to maximise the likelihood of the journal becoming eligible for indexing. It is not a requirement that the editor(s) be based at Coventry University. While the board will be editorially independent, it must agree to work within the publication and ethics guidelines of the Press.

It is anticipated that Coventry Open Press will continue to use Open Journal Systems (OJS) as its chosen journals publishing platform.

Your journal proposal should address the following areas and provide sufficient detail to enable the management team and, thereafter, the Editorial Advisory Committee to make an informed decision:

Background and aims of the journal

• Name of journal (and subtitle if intended) and a short description of the purpose of the journal (approx. 200 words).
• Why a journal is needed in the area and what is distinctive and unique about your new journal in terms of intellectual contribution.

Editors and Editorial Board

• Details of principal editor(s) including contact details and brief details of institutional affiliations, relevant previous publications and credentials for the role, including memberships of relevant professional/academic associations.
• Composition of editorial board including names of board members, academic affiliation and areas of subject expertise (2-3 sentences for each). We understand that at the early stages this list might be unconfirmed but expect it to reflect genuine efforts on the part of the editor(s) (i.e. not a wish list).

Policies, Procedures, Practicalities

• Numbers of issues per year (be realistic!) and approximate number of articles per issue.
• Peer review – how will it be managed?
• Types of articles (e.g. research, book (and other media) reviews, etc.).
• Entirely text-based or mixed media (if the latter, is there technical support available within the editorial team?)?
• Ethics.    

Core readership and scope

• Core readership and subject disciplines the journal intends to cover.
• Any wider academic categories you think the journal may appeal to or develop into.
• Is there a significant non-academic audience?
• The nearest competing journals or journals in adjacent academic fields; why this journal will consequently succeed in attracting submissions.

Readership and marketing

• How should the readership for the journal be identified and reached?
• What factors do you think are most relevant in terms of ensuring the journal is successfully launched and creates an impact? 
• Are there any societies or organisations that might support publication, financially or otherwise? (This will not be a decisive factor in the commissioning process.)