General Overview of Editorial Process for Prospective Special Volume Editors

Volume editors, in consultation with the series editors, lead a multi-step, multiyear process that culminates in a print publication, followed by online publication three months later. After you have discussed your special volume idea with the series editors, following are the next steps toward compiling the special volume of DDH.

1. Develop Proposal

Once series editors have indicated that the project can move forward, volume editors prepare a book proposal for the series editors. Please reach out to series editors for examples of previous proposals. The proposal generally undergoes some revisions in response to series editor feedback, culminating in a document that serves as the basis for a formal proposal that is submitted to the press for peer review (step 4).

2. Draft Call for Papers (CFP) for open call

As the book proposal nears completion, volume editors begin preparing a CFP for the volume, to be published on the DDH website. Examples of past CFPs can be found here.

Note that an open CFP is a required component of DDH volumes. While a small number of essays may be solicited, it is important to the series that each volume remains open to new voices in the field.

3. Volume editors, in consultation with series editors, issue essay acceptances.

After the CFP deadline, volume editors compile a spreadsheet of all submissions, indicating which submissions they plan to accept. Series editors then review and approve the proposed acceptances. Following approval, volume editors issue acceptances and give guidance to authors on the timeline for the publishing process. Series editors will share guidance and draft process documents with volume editors.

4. Series editors hand off process to volume editors

Once the authors of the accepted essays are notified, their abstracts are added to the proposal. The proposal is then submitted to the Press for peer review in anticipation of an advance contract. At this point, the series editors hand off the editorial process to volume editors. Volume editors should remain in touch with series editors as the volume moves forward and cc them on emails sent to the Press.

Some additional considerations:

When deciding to move forward with DDH, here are some things to keep in mind:

• Volume max length: no more than 15-20 pieces, and an overall limit of 100,000 words (including any blog posts that might be included)
• Volume max images: roughly 30 images. All images require permission and accessibility documentation.
• DDH is published in print first, then online in open access form three months later. Pre-print drafts of individual essays may be published in non-profit open-access institutional repositories, so long as they indicate that the piece in question is forthcoming in a DDH volume.
• DDH volumes are intentionally inclusive and intended to represent voices across a range of nationalities, institutions, ranks, fields, and identities (both professional and personal), among other perspectives.
• The topics of DDH special volumes must similarly appeal to this wide range of perspectives. Please consult the Debates in the Digital Humanities website on Manifold to get a sense of the scope of the series.