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American College Personnel Association

Books and Media

Publication HandbookRevised June 2011

ACPA Books and Media

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Published June2011 • © 2011 American College Personnel Association (ACPA). All rights reserved.

Contact Information:American College Personnel Association

ACPA Central Office Vernon A. WallSenior Director – Professional Development, Research & Scholarship One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 300Washington, DC 20036-1110(202) 835-2272 Ext. 608FAX (202) [email protected]

ACPA Books and Media Denise Collins, Editor Associate DeanBayh College of EducationIndiana State UniversityTerre Haute, IN 47809(812) 237-2918FAX (812) [email protected]

ACPA Books and Media Editorial Board: 2010-2011Denise Collins (2010-2014), Indiana State University, Editor and Chair Holley Belch (2008-2012), Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Associate EditorPaul Shang (2011-2015), University of Oregon, Associate EditorMichele Welkener (2011-2015), University of Dayton, Associate EditorRobert Bonfiglio (2011-2014), State University of New York College at GeneseoScott Brown (2010-2013), Colgate UniversityLynette Cook Francis (2011-2014), University of Arizona*Vanessa Diaz de Rodriguez (2011-2013), Texas A & M UniversityPatrick Dilley (2009-2012), Southern Illinois UniversityBecki Elkins Nesheim (2011-2014), Cornell CollegeKaren Haley (2009-2012), Portland State UniversityBrandi Hephner LaBanc (2011-2014), Northern Illinois University*Steve Janosik (2011-2014), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityVanessa D. Johnson (2011-2014), Northeastern UniversityJennifer Lease Butts (2011-2014), University of ConnecticutBonita McClain Vinson (2011-2014), LeTourneau University*John Mueller (2011-2013), Indiana University of Pennsylvania*Penny A. Pasque (2011-2013), University of Oklahoma*Cissy Petty (2011-2014), Loyola University New OrleansTracy Poon Tambascia (2011-2014), University of Southern CaliforniaMichael C. Sachs (2011-2014), LIM CollegeAlan M. Schwitzer (2011-2014), Old Dominion UniversityLisa Severy (2009-2012), University of Colorado, Boulder *Deborah J. Taub (2011-2012), University of North Carolina, Greensboro Maureen Wilson (2009-2012), Bowling Green State University *Timothy L. Wilson (2011-2014), Seattle University

*Extended term


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Contents Frequently Asked Questions About the ACPA Publications Program p. 1

ACPA Books and Media Mission p. 3

Submitting Publication Proposals to the Board: The Proposal Package p. 4

Proposal Review Process and Procedures p. 5

Post Acceptance Flow Chart p. 6

Reviewer’s Rating Sheet p. 7

From Manuscript to Bound Book: Processes and Procedures p. 8

Manuscript Reviewer’s Questions p. 9

Publication Guidelines for Authors p. 10

Publication Guidelines for Editors of Multi-Authored Books p. 16


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Frequently Asked Questions About The ACPA Publications ProgramWho can publish with ACPA? Any ACPA member with an idea for publication is invited to submit a proposal. ACPA Books and Media is particularly interested in receiving proposals from professionals motivated to complete a high-quality book or monograph, even if they do not have extensive prior publication records. The advantages of ACPA Books and Media publication are the rigorous standards used in the review process and the helpfulness of the Books and Media Editor and Editorial Board reviewers.

How can I get ACPA to publish my book or monograph idea? How do I get started? First, submit by email a letter of intent to the Editor of ACPA Books and Media. The letter of intent should include the title and an abstract of the proposed material. The Editor will respond by encouraging further development of the idea and requesting a complete publication proposal, by referring you to another appropri-ate publication source, or by discouraging the publication. You also are encouraged to consult the ACPA Books and Media Publication Handbook at http://myacpa.org (and located in the Publications tab on the home page) for additional information on the proposal submission and review process.

To the extent possible, the Editor also will respond to telephone and email inquiries about ideas for publica-tions. The Editor will be happy to give you suggestions and advice about whether the ACPA publishing pro-gram is right for you.

What is in the ACPA Books and Media Publication Handbook? The proposal contents, proposal review process, manuscript preparation requirements, and instructions for edi-tors and authors, are all spelled out in detail in the Publication Handbook.

What types of proposals are accepted by ACPA? ACPA Books and Media has been producing books and monographs since the early 1960s for use by individual student affairs professionals, graduate courses, and student affairs divisions or departments. The publication themes range from history to theory to practice applications. The reviewers look for proposals indicating high quality treatment of a subject for a particular audience in a length appropriate to the topic and approach. The Editorial Board strives to publish “cutting edge” information that is not available elsewhere. ACPA is com-mitted to issues related to student learning, human development, diversity, human dignity, community, and professional renewal. If you have fresh approach to an old problem or a new approach that works, consider submitting your idea to ACPA Books and Media!

Does ACPA produce multi-authored works? Yes. Your proposal could be for a book in which you serve as general editor, with different individuals writing each chapter. Multi-authored books require an organized individual who is willing to work closely with the authors and ACPA Books and Media editors to have a coherent, comprehensive publication. Special guidelines for multi-authored books are included in the Publication Handbook.

What happens to my proposal after it is submitted? After your proposal is received, it is sent for review to ACPA Books and Media Editorial Board members. Pro-posals are evaluated for author proficiency with the topic, rationale, and approach; soundness and organization of the contents; timeliness; readability; cultural sensitivity; and interest to ACPA members. The reviews are sent to the Editor or an Associate Editor, who informs the proposal writer(s) of the Board’s decision. If the decision is to publish the manuscript, suggestions for improvement of the manuscript are provided.


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How long does the proposal review process take? It takes approximately 10 weeks from the time the Editor receives your proposal to have it reviewed. The time may vary depending on the number of proposals currently in the review process and variations among institu-tional calendars.

How much does it cost to submit to ACPA? Nothing. ACPA does not charge individuals to submit or to publish their book or monograph. Manuscripts are accepted on the basis of quality, the prospect of adding to the knowledge of the profession, and a potential readership sufficient to cover production costs.

What kind of marketing does ACPA do for its products? Each product has an individualized marketing plan, tailored to fit the specific needs and market of the individ-ual product. The plan usually includes some combination of ads in the Journal of College Student Development, “ACPA Developments”, and other publications in the field; special mailings to our members and other student affairs and higher education professionals; and displays of the book or monograph at our own conferences and other conventions. All products published by ACPA are highlighted in an annual publication list and on the ACPA website.

Will I get rich publishing with ACPA? No. ACPA authors are not paid royalties. ACPA Books and Media accepts new projects with the minimal financial expectation of breaking even with production costs, and a substantive portion of ACPA’s Books and Media budget comes from annual sales. However, you will be adding to the body of knowledge in the field, gaining professional credentials from a scholarly press, and helping your fellow professionals. ACPA holds the copyright to all materials published by ACPA.


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The Mission of ACPA Books and Media

ACPA is committed to publishing books that will inform and benefit professionals in the student affairs field. ACPA books are designed to appeal to a broad, interdisciplinary audience of researchers, scholars, and practitioners.

ACPA Books and Media reviews for publication book and monograph proposals in the areas of college student development and student affairs theory and practice. ACPA Books and Media has been producing books and monographs since the early 1960s for use by individual student affairs professionals, graduate courses, and student affairs divisions and departments. Publication themes range from history and systems, to theory, to practice applications.

ACPA Books and Media welcomes submissions from authors who desire to publish with a professional press affiliated with a national professional association. The Editorial Board reviews new proposals for publication and seeks to publish and market as many quality works as possible.

ACPA Books and Media is particularly interested in reviewing the work of first time authors and in reviewing works on “cutting edge” issues. Editorial Board reviewers look for proposals indicating high quality treatment of a subject for a specified audience in a length appropriate to the topic and approach. Proposed projects should be of interest to a substantial portion of the ACPA membership; other publication avenues may be more appropriate for highly specialized or highly technical projects.

ACPA Books and Media accepts new projects with the financial expectation of breaking even with production costs, and a substantive portion of ACPA’s Books and Media budget comes from annual sales.

The criteria for ACPA publications include: • the topic must be of continuing importance to professionals in the field• the authors must present new and significant information and observations about the topic• the contents must be derived from a solid knowledge base of theory, research, and/or practice• the proposed work should address as many dimensions of diversity as is appropriate to the subject matter

in a manner that reflects the best theory, research, or practice available to the profession regarding cultural concerns

Whether the focus is on current and emerging issues, or on historical perspectives, ACPA professional books and monographs must contribute to knowledge and action (rather than merely assemble existing facts and ideas, as do some textbooks), and spell out the implications of findings or offer suggestions about what practitioners and faculty can do in relation to the topic.


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Submitting Publication Proposals to ACPA Books and MediaThe proposal package is fully described below and on the pages that follow. Proposals for review must include: a description of the project content; a vita and writing sample from each principal author and/or editor; and a rationale explaining prospective uses, markets, and audiences for the finished work.

The Proposal Package To begin the editorial review process, submit to the Editor all of the following:

I. Manuscript Proposal (5-10 pages in length, single spaced)

a) Title of the manuscript.

b) Type of project (e.g., book, monograph, other); presentation style (e.g., case study, first person account, historical analysis, theory to practice); and estimated manuscript length.

c) Abstract of manuscript, describing the product’s goal and focus.

d) Table of contents with chapter titles and descriptions. Chapter descriptions should cover the focus and major sections of each chapter. Outline format is fine; while chapter descriptions should not exceed a single page each (and might be as short as a long paragraph), the more detail that can be provided, the better.

e) Rationale for the project, including the need for the publication, target audience(s), and competing publications in the field.

f ) Statement demonstrating the authors’ efforts to address as many dimensions of diversity as is appropriate to the subject matter (e.g., gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, ability, etc.) in a manner that reflects the best theory, research, and practice available to the profession regarding cultural concerns.

g) Anticipated production schedule.

II. Supporting Documents

a) Name, institutional affiliation, and resume or vita including publications list of each author and/or editor. Short summary biographies of each author of an edited work should also be included, although individual vitas are not requested.

b) At least one complete chapter of the proposed publication (the introductory chapter is acceptable).

c) Writing samples for each editor/author. (Writing samples are not needed for chapter authors of edited works.) Writing samples, if not submitted as portable document files (pdf ) of published works, should adhere to current American Psychological Association style and be submitted as electronic files.


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Proposal Review Process and ProceduresEach proposal received by ACPA Books and Media goes through a review process as outlined below:

Review Procedure To begin the editorial review process, submit to the Editor all of the following:

The letter of intent is received and evaluated by the Editor. If it is judged appropriate for ACPA Books and Media, the Editor will request an electronic version of the complete publication proposal. If inappropriate for the ACPA publishing program, it may be rejected at this stage.

When the author submits a complete proposal, the proposal is sent to members of the Editorial Board for consideration. The proposal is evaluated using the form on page 7.

When the Editorial Board reviews are completed, the recommendations are assessed by the Editor and/or Associate Editor, who advises the author(s) of the decision to publish; of provisional acceptance, pending revision; of a request for a revised proposal; of a rejection with an invitation to resubmit a substantially revised proposal; or of a decision not publish.

Upon ACPA Books and Media approval of the project, the author is contacted regarding a contract.


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Proposal Accepted

Author(s) obtain permissions to utilize/adapt published text, figures, etc.

Author(s) complete draft (all copy included; TOC does not need to be completed.)

Manuscript reviewedby three reviewers.

Manuscript reviews compiled by Associate Editor/Editor and feedback

is sent to author(s) with guidance for revision.

Author submitsrevised manuscript

to editor with explanation of how

suggested revisions have been accomplished.

BAM Editor forwards completed manuscript to publisher

with all terms to be indexed included in a list

Publisher completes copy editing

Editor works with author(s) to make final

revisions.

Once no further changes...

If substantialchanges

If minor changes

Book published.

Publisher completes cover design and return galley

proofs to author(s)

Post-Acceptance Flow Chart (Process is fluid and subject to change)


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Reviewer’s Proposal Rating SheetRate the proposal by marking the appropriate number and providing comments supporting your evaluation. Please continue your comments onto additional pages if needed. Note that a general summary of reviewers’ comments will be shared with the author(s) but the identity of reviewers will not be revealed. There is a section below if you wish to add a comment to the editor and that you wish not to be communicated to the author(s).

PROPOSAL TITLE: ______________________________________________________________________________________

REVIEWER’S NAME: ______________________________________________________________ DATE:___________

I. NEED/MARKETABILITY Disagree Agree

1. There is a need for this book. 1 2 3 4 5

2. There is an audience for this book. 1 2 3 4 5

3. The topic is timely and will excite interest. 1 2 3 4 5

Please comment on the potential market for this book:

II. WRITING PROFICIENCY Disagree Agree

1. The proposed author(s) or editor(s) have appropriate levels of expertise in the content area(s). 1 2 3 4 5

2. Writing samples demonstrate appropriate quality and style. 1 2 3 4 5

Comments/Concerns/Suggestions:

III. CONTENT/ORGANIZATION Disagree Agree

1. The content areas rest on a solid base of theory, research, and/or practice. 1 2 3 4 5

2. The proposal is clear and the approach to the topic is sound and well organized. 1 2 3 4 5

3. The proposed work demonstrates appropriate sensitivity to cultural diversity and differences. 1 2 3 4 5

Please comment on the content and organization of the proposed book:

RECOMMENDATION

r Accept as submitted

r Revise and resubmit

r Reject with option to resubmit with substantial revisions (requires new review)

Feedback to editor (these comments are solely for the editor and will not be forwarded to the author(s)):

r Decline to publish

r Need additional information (specify)


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From Manuscript to Bound Book: Processes and Procedures1. Upon signing a contract, the author/editor is required to produce a completed first draft by a specified date.

From this point on, failure to provide the required material may result in cancellation of the project.

2. An electronic copy of the first draft is submitted by the author/editor to the Editor and are then reviewed concurrently by the Editor/Associate Editor and three Editorial Board reviewers. The Editor/Associate Editor assesses the manuscript’s style, form, and other publishing elements. The reviewers assess the manuscript’s content, organization, and form (see Review Questions on the next page). The feedback from the review board members is integrated with the Editor/Associate Editor’s feedback and sent to the author/editor, along with an annotated copy of the manuscript. In most cases, further revisions are handled between the author/editors and the BAM Editor/Associate Editor. In unusual cases, when reviewers identify substantive deficits in the initial draft, the revised manuscript may undergo a second review by Review Board members.

3. The author/editor uses the reviews to refine the manuscript and then resubmits the manuscript to the Editor/Associate Editor for content review. Additionally, the author/editor submits a letter explaining what changes were made, what, if any, of the feedback from the reviewers has not been integrated, and why.

4. The author/editor and the Media Board Editor/Associate Editor work together on revisions until the Editor/Associate Editor is satisfied with the content.

5. Once the content is finalized, the author/editor submits an electronic version to the Editor along with a list of all terms to be indexed.

6. The Editor submits the manuscript to ACPA’s co-publisher. The co-publisher completes copy editing of the manuscript, working with the author/editor as needed for final revisions.

7. The production staff of the ACPA co-publisher will review the manuscript, design the book cover, and set up a schedule for production of the bound book. When the production process has been completed, each author/contributor will receive one copy of the publication, or five copies to a single author.


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Manuscript Review QuestionsIn reviewing a book manuscript for ACPA Books and Media, Review Board members will respond in narrative form to the following questions.

Purpose and Contribution Is the purpose of the book clear? Are the concepts discussed clear? Does the book make a contribution to the student affairs literature?

Audience To whom is the book directed? What audiences will find it useful?

Coverage of Topic Is the topic covered appropriately? Is it comprehensive? Is anything missing that should be included? Is there any extraneous material?

Quality of Content Is the book well written? Note any specific technical problems you identify. Is the information presented accurate? Note any errors you find.

Attention to Diversity Is the author appropriately sensitive to diversity issues related to the topic? If relevant, is a multicultural perspective effectively incorporated into the discussion?

Level and Usefulness Is the book easy to read? Is the writing style engaging? Does the book meet the needs of a diverse audience?

Focus and Integration Is the focus of the book clear and maintained throughout? Does the book “hang together”?

Organization and Manuscript Is the material well organized? Do ideas build on each other? Is the chapter order appropriate?

Illustrative Material Are there enough examples, vignettes, and exemplars to make theoretical points clear? Are they appropriate?

Implications and Application Does the author answer the “so what” and “what now” questions persuasively? Is it clear how the ideas presented will be helpful to student affairs practitioners? Does the author provide guidance as to how to use the information presented?

Titles Does the title of the book accurately reflect the content? If not, is there a better title that could be used? Are the chapter titles appropriate?

Chapter by Chapter Review Please note the strengths and weaknesses of each chapter. What needs to be added? What could be deleted?

Overall Evaluation What is your overall evaluation of the manuscript? What are the strengths and what are the weaknesses?


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Publication Guidelines for Authors



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The following material is provided to assist you in preparing your manuscript for ACPA Books and Media review and publication. The material includes a brief description of the prepublication process, the editing and scheduling steps involved in moving from manuscript to book, guidelines for manuscript preparation and writing, and the specific components of the manuscript.

The “Submission Guidelines for Final Manuscripts” developed by the current ACPA co-publisher is also essential for your final manuscript preparation.

Prepublication ProcessPreliminary stages. The ACPA Books and Media Editor works with authors as they develop and write their manuscripts to ensure that criteria for useful, professional publications are met. The Editor and reviewers examine the draft and revised manuscripts and offer suggestions about content and organization, format of special material, and physical preparation of the manuscript. The ACPA Books and Media Editor and the ACPA co-publisher give advice on the numerous details that accompany any publishing endeavor, help to pinpoint potential problems, and guide authors in completing their work.

Scheduling. After the complete final manuscript is submitted and content is approved for publication, the ACPA Books and Media Editor (with the ACPA co-publisher) is responsible for scheduling and supervising all editorial and production work leading to the book’s publication. The scheduling takes into account: a) professional copyediting of the manuscript (usually 4-6 weeks), b) return of the copy-edited manuscript to the author/editor to review, incorporate recommended changes, and resubmit to the Books and Media Editor (1-2 weeks), c) indexing (2-3 weeks), d) professional formatting of the manuscript including cover design (4-6 weeks), and e) printing.

From the time the formal editorial production process begins, it could take up to eight months to turn an “average” manuscript (300-400 typed pages) into a bound book. Authors should keep the ACPA Books and Media Editor informed of their progress and their manuscripts’ complexities so that potential delays can be anticipated and circumvented.

The publication schedules adhered to by ACPA make it impossible for ACPA Books and Media to track down original source materials, handle permissions, obtain letters of agreement, or do other work that is the author’s responsibility.

Throughout the editorial process, the ACPA Books and Media Editor will keep you informed.

Manuscript Preparation and WritingGeneral guidelines for manuscript preparation and writing. Following the co-publisher’s “Submission Guidelines for Final Manuscripts” as you prepare your manuscript will save time in the production process. If you have any questions, please contact the ACPA Books and Media Editor. Clearing up questions early will help ensure a smooth and rapid publication process.

Format. Use the most current version of the American Psychological Association Publication Manual as your style guide. Double-space everything in the manuscript, including quotations, footnotes, and the reference section. Indent the first line of paragraphs, and leave no extra space between paragraphs. All materials must be double-spaced, with at least 1 inch margins. Use a word-processing program that is compatible with Microsoft Word. Use 12pt Times Roman typeface. Use a single space after the period at the end of a sentence.

Writing. The manuscript should be well-organized, with evenly balanced parts and chapters (for instance, no part should have just a single chapter, and chapters should be of approximately the same length). Start with a detailed outline of topics to be covered and develop ideas in a logical sequence. (Refer to “Table of Contents” in the next section. Your chapter titles and subheads and the number of pages devoted to each topic are an outline of the book. Chapter titles and subheads should reflect a logical and concise treatment of your topic.)


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Avoid dull writing. Use the active voice (“He reported,” not “It has been reported”). Present enough concrete detail to communicate your message clearly and in an interesting way. Avoid jargon. Remember that your book will be marketed to an interdisciplinary and international audience–not just to people in one functional area, or soley within student affairs.

Non-biased language. In your writing, be sure not to use language that is explicitly–or even implicitly–sexist or culturally biased. When using anecdotes of cases to illustrate points, include male and female examples, and avoid stereotypical descriptions. Avoid the word man in the generic sense; use individuals, people, humans instead. In compound nouns, avoid such constructions as salesman, spokesman, and so on. It is not necessary, however, to use graceless construction in an attempt to appear totally unbiased. For more details, see the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.

Accuracy. All material must adhere to American Psychological Association style, including references, abbreviations, and punctuation. Refer to the most recent edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.

Authors should check all references for accuracy and completeness. Adequate information should be given to allow the reader to obtain the referenced material from the most available source.

Permissions. Quoting and adapting the ideas and materials of others is a widespread and completely accepted practice, but copyright law can be confusing and tricky. One useful guideline is that copyright protection applies to works from the moment of their creation. Therefore, any written document, even a handout from a conference, is considered the lawful property of its originator, though it has never been registered with the Library of Congress, and credit must be given if you use it in your book.

Obtaining permission to quote copyrighted material is your responsibility. A general guide is to obtain permission for any quote (or combination of quotes) of more than 250 words and for any tables and/or figures. Adaptation of tables and figures also requires reproduction approval from the copyrighted source. Avoid quoting poetry because anything more than one line requires permission–and the process is slow and expensive.

It is the author’s responsibility to secure such permission and a copy of the publisher’s written permission must be provided to the ACPA Books and Media Editor immediately after acceptance for publication by ACPA. All permissions must be obtained before the book can be forwarded to the co-publisher, so permissions should be obtained early; it is often a quite lengthy process. When you write to a publisher requesting permission, list the material you wish to use, state that your book is a professional one to be published by ACPA, and request unrestricted world rights.

Group authorship. A book with many contributors poses special challenges. If you are producing such a collaborative work, please refer to ACPA’s “Guidelines for Editors of Multi-authored Works.”


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Components of the ManuscriptEvery manuscript is divided into three components.

a) The front matter is all material that precedes the actual text of the book and consists of the title page*, copyright page (which the ACPA co-publisher prepares), dedication, table of contents*, table of illustrations, list of contributors, foreword, preface, and acknowledgements. (Items marked with an asterisk are required; all other elements may or may not be included.) This section is paginated using lower-case roman numerals.

b) The main text usually begins with Chapter One, but sometimes with an unnumbered introduction or prologue.

c) What follows the main body of text is called end matter and consists of the reference section and the index; it may also include other material, such as an annotated bibliography of “resources.”

Front Matter Title Page: Give the working title for the manuscript and your name exactly as you want it to appear in print.

Copyright Page: Co-publisher will typeset; just leave the page blank.

Dedication: A separate short dedication, if you prefer that one be included, is included between the copyright page and the table of contents.

Table of Contents: List all divisions within the manuscript: section titles, if used; chapter titles; all subheadings within chapters; and all back matter material. Beside each entry, give the manuscript page number; we strongly encourage you to use Word’s Table of Contents function to do this.

Table of Illustrations: Include any illustrations or figures used.

List of Contributors: Each author will have a paragraph description; for edited books, list the editors first, then the other contributors in alphabetical order. The following instructions should be followed by each author: First, give your name exactly as you wish it to appear on the book and in our promotion (with or without middle initial, middle name, Jr., and so on). Follow (in sentence form) with your present affiliation(s). Next, describe your education, stating each degree received, in what discipline, in what year, and from what institution. You then could describe awards, honors, professional associations, and other academic positions held during your career. Any specific books or articles published could also be included in this paragraph; for books, supply year of publication and names of co-authors. You may also wish to say a few words about special professional interests or current research. The manuscript editor should ensure that paragraph descriptions are consistent in relative length, content, and style.

Foreword: A foreword should be written by a person, other than the author, who can comment intelligently on the book’s contributions. Not all books contain a foreward; determine if you wish to use one and confirm your choice with the BAM Editor.

Preface: A good preface not only states why the author wrote the book, but also identifies who (specifically, by discipline or profession) should read the material, and how those people will benefit from the information presented. Briefly stated, the preface is a sales tool that convinces people to buy and read the book.

Ideally, a preface is constructed so as to communicate the following essentials: a) need – What is the rationale for the book? What gaps is it intended to fill? How does it differ from the existing literature? b) purpose – What does the author aim to accomplish? What groups of readers are being addressed? How is the book going to aid those readers? and c) scope and treatment – In what ways does the coverage satisfy both need and purpose?

To fulfill the third “essential,” the author should describe the contents of the book in detail, chapter-by-chapter, pointing out special features of the approach or orientation. The descriptions should go beyond merely identifying the topics considered. The descriptions should comment on the findings or implications of the author’s work and highlight the types of information that will enable other professionals to better understand or deal with issues they confront in their own work.


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Finally, the preface should stress the constructive and the creative aspects of the volume (no need to be self-critical or to apologize for the coverage). Busy practitioners and researchers with limited book-buying dollars need to be told explicitly why this book is a “must” in terms of professional reading.

Acknowledgements: Authors’ acknowledgements may be included in the preface or on a separate page.

Main Text (Internal Elements) Start numbering of the main body of the text with Arabic numeral 1 and number consecutively throughout the entire manuscript. Do not number chapter-by-chapter.

1. Introduction and Conclusion: Most books benefit by an opening chapter that shows the general direction of the presentation and sets the stage for what follows. A concluding chapter should summarize and pull together the findings or arguments and outline implications for the reader. The audience wants to know how the book concludes. Many readers read the final chapter (in addition to the preface) and then go back to the body of the text to pick up specific points.

2. Chapter Titles: In promotional material, ACPA depends to a great extent on the table of contents of a book to describe for prospective readers the material that the book covers. Therefore, each chapter title must exactly describe the content of the chapter and must do so in words that are immediately meaningful to people who have not read the book. Chapter titles should be as short as possible and be subordinate to the book title. If chapter titles are well chosen, the table of contents will reflect accurately the flow of ideas from the beginning to the end of the book. Avoid using words like “introduction” or “conclusion” as chapter titles. These are not descriptive titles, nor do they capture interest. Try to substitute more provocative phrases. The editor will work with you before the book is finalized to develop the best possible titles, including the book’s main title and subtitle.

3. Reference Citations: Citations in the text follow APA style: “In two recent studies (Jones, 1979; Smith & Wallace, 1980)...” and “Alexander (1982) stated that...”. With this style, there are no reference footnotes. Please check the text citations against the reference list to be sure they are in agreement; spelling of names and dates of publication must be the same in both places. See the most recent edition of the APA Style Manual for more information.

4. Quotations: Please provide page numbers when you quote directly or paraphrase closely. The page numbers may be placed following the quotation or paraphrase, or after the pertinent citation (for example, “Alexander, 1982, p. 86”). Set a quotation off from the rest of the text only when it is longer than 4 full lines. In the case of lengthy quotations, omit the quotation marks and indent the whole quotation one-half inch from the left margin. Do not start the first line of the indented quotation with an additional indent. Note that shorter quotations in text retain quotation marks.

Be sure to double-space quotations; even when no corrections are needed or allowed, single-spaced material is difficult for copyeditors and proofreaders to manage.

5. Footnotes: Avoid footnotes. Try to incorporate tangential material into the text proper, perhaps within parentheses. If the material interrupts rather than enhances your discussion when handled in the text, you probably should discard it. If you consider footnotes essential, discuss the format with the ACPA Books and Media Editor before submitting your manuscript. One exception is the credit footnote, in which the author acknowledges a debt to colleagues or a funding agency. In such cases, do not use an asterisk or a superscript number; simply type the credit line at the bottom of the first page of the chapter (or on the appropriate manuscript page), and do not forget to double-space.

6. Tables and Figures: Tables should be kept to a minimum. Material covered in tables usually can be adequately described in the text. There are several ways to tell readers how to obtain tabular information that is essential to only a few. A footnote suggesting that readers who desire more statistical analysis may contact the author is a frequently used alternative, or an appendix might provide a list of materials available from the author or other sources

Keep in mind that ACPA Books and Media does not publish monographs or books composed primarily of raw data; instead, our authors draw implications from and make recommendations based on their research. Tables


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should present dramatic, essential information so that readers will look at them instead of ignoring them.

Figures, including graphs and charts, are permissible only if they can be produced within Word or as a portable document file (pdf ); ACPA does not have resources to pay for professional graphic design. Whenever possible, the message a figure comprises should be incorporated into the text as prose.

End Matter Continue numbering pages that follow the main text consecutively in Arabic numerals.

1. Appendices or Resources: Include special material such as forms, addresses, web sites, and further reading at the end of the book. Any such material should be cross-referenced in the text. It may be appropriate to title appended material with a label more attractive than “appendix.” A specific descriptive title, such as “Case Studies,” “Background,” “Resources for Further Reading,” or “Annotated Bibliography” may be more appealing and accurate.

2. Reference Section: ACPA uses the most recent edition of the APA Style Manual. All references should follow this style and be double-spaced.

3. Index: The Books and Media editor will compile an index based on the list of terms you provide.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Type every line of the manuscript double-spaced.

Prepare a detailed table of contents – one that will serve as an outline of all topics to be covered.

Keep the ACPA Books and Media Editor informed of your progress.

Make sure all references cited in the text are in the reference section – and that complete bibliographical information is provided.

Hold the number of tables and figures to a minimum.

Include page numbers for all quotations, excerpts, or close paraphrases of material from other sources.

Check that your manuscript is complete before submitting it – that all front and end matter, as well as text, are included.


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Publication Guidelines for Editors of Multi-Authored Books



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These guidelines are designed to help you produce a multi-authored book that is integrated, coherent, timely, and definitive. You will also need ACPA Guidelines for Authors, which contains editorial and stylistic instructions that are not repeated here.

Getting StartedWe strongly suggest that you complete each of the following steps. We have found that these steps are essential to achieving a unified, comprehensive work that covers all the important topics without treating them in a repetitious manner or overemphasizing some contributors’ points of view.

1. Decide on the theme, emphasis, and overall organization for the book.

2. Confer with the ACPA Books and Media Editor about your plans for coverage and contributors.

3. Recruit the best people in the field to write on the topics to be included in the book.

4. Share the plan for the book with your contributors. Be explicit and thorough. Clear communication of expectations (in particular, what topics are to be covered in which chapter) will reduce redundancy, and hence your work as editors. To enhance consistency, consider sharing with contributors the introductory chapter and definitions of terms that are likely to be used throughout the book.

5. Explain to contributors that their chapters may have to be revised to achieve balance and integration of the chapters. Be clear that you and the ACPA Editor reserve the right to eliminate chapters that do not meet expectations or replace authors who fail to meet deadlines.

6. Allow time to edit the chapters so that coherence is achieved and duplication is avoided. Consult with contributors as they revise their chapters so that the chapters fit into the overall scheme.

7. Make sure you understand your role in the production process. Plan to work with the ACPA Books and Media Editor to be sure that all deadlines are met.

The “Packet” for ContributorsACPA Books and Media recommends that you use the items listed below, called the “packet,” to communicate the plan of the book as well as the administrative details to contributors. Using this packet of materials will help you keep the book under control and avert confusion and extra work. The ACPA Books and Media Editor will help you go over your drafts of these items before you send them to contributors. The ACPA Books and Media Editor can often suggest changes that will save work and time later in the publication process.

Each packet should contain the following six items:

1. Cover Letter, modified as appropriate for each contributor, describing the scope of the book and how each specific chapter fits into the overall plan. It should also explain the enclosures (items below).

2. Preface-like Statement that clearly states the aims of the volume, its audience, the level of writing contributors should strive for, and so on.

3. Table of Contents, with part titles (if appropriate) and annotated chapter titles (topic, aim, part in overall scheme).

4. List of Contributors (potential or final), including titles, affiliations, and contact information.

5. Model Chapter Outline that indicates in general terms the main sections to appear in each chapter and an approximate length for each; include references as the final section. Specify a minimum-maximum length for chapters. For example, “15 to 20 double-spaced pages of 250 words each.” This length includes references. Also, note specific text preparation and word processing guidelines (margins, typefaces, software preferences) that will facilitate your editing and the manuscript production process.


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6. Copyright Release Form for each contributor to sign. To properly protect the copyright on the book, the ACPA Books and Media Editor must receive signed forms from all contributors along with the first draft. No book will proceed into production until all release forms are received.

Please note, it is essential that your contributors understand the publications procedure and schedule outlined on the following pages of the Guidelines for Editors of Multi-authored Books. In particular, contributors must know that they are unlikely to see their manuscripts after they send the final revisions to you, so they should verify the accuracy of all data, quotations, and citations before submitting their final drafts.

The Manuscript “In Progress”In putting together a multi-authored work, do not assume that contributors will submit their outlines or chapters on the dates specified without periodic follow-ups. We recommend that you check with contributors at least once a month to make sure they are on schedule. Be sure contributors keep you informed of any address changes.

To help you plan ahead, the critical points in the manuscript process are listed below, along with the notes on your role at each one:

A. Outlines and Initial Feedback. Review the outlines of the chapters to see whether you need to redirect contributors’ efforts before the project gets too far along. Each outline should be based on your model chapter outline and should contain a detailed listing of main topics and subtopics. Check to be sure all important topics are listed and ordered logically. Watch for repetitions between chapters; decide where repeated material best fits. When you send the outlines back to contributors, provide each one with a detailed, written analysis of what should be added or changed in their particular chapter.

B. Your Manuscript Contributions. You will need to write an introduction to the book as a whole (and introductions to each part of the book if it is long enough to be divided into parts) to explain to readers what the unifying theme of the book is, why that theme is important, and how each chapter fits into the theme. You will also need to write a conclusion that summarizes the highlights of the chapters and also give implications and recommendations for action. The concluding chapter should be written after contributors’ chapters are received. In addition, you will need to write the preface.

C. Initial Draft Chapters for Editorial Review. As with the outlines, your contributors will appreciate your candid, explicit, detailed guidance in revising their chapters. Check the chapters for the following points:

1. Is the content accurate and logically presented? 2. Does each chapter cover its topic adequately? 3. Does any material unnecessarily overlap or duplicate material in other chapters? 4. Are chapter lengths, including references, within the limits set? 5. Is language used bias-free? 6. Are appropriate “caveats” stated (e.g., research covers a limited population)? 7. Are format and style consistent with the guidelines? 8. Are bibliographical references prepared accurately?

D. Revisions and Final Chapters. After submitting the first draft to the ACPA Books and Media Editor, you will receive copies of the Editorial Board reviewers’ suggestions for revisions, probably on a chapter-by-chapter basis. You will also receive suggestions from the ACPA Books and Media Editor. Use the reviews and your own evaluations to revise the chapters.

You can complete the revisions yourself or send them to the authors. However, in either case, the deadline must be met.


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Completing the ManuscriptWhile you are revising and polishing chapters, you should be revising your introduction and conclusion. By the time you complete the final chapter drafts, you should be ready to attend to the following:

1. Revise the front matter (e.g., title page, preface, table of contents) as specified.

2. Write a short paragraph about each of the contributors including name, position, and affiliation, or have contributors submit this information to you. Information on the contributors will follow the biographical information about yourself on the “Author” page.

3. Number the manuscript pages consecutively. (Note that page 1 of the main text begins with the introduction.)

4. Check to be sure that you have all copyright release forms, and that the contributors’ names appear accurately in the table of contents, list of authors, and on chapter opening pages.

About the References. References will normally be the final section of each contributor’s chapter. On occasion, however, readers may benefit more from one overall listing at the end of the book. If you are in doubt as to which course to follow, consult with the ACPA Books and Media Editor.

Copyediting and Production ProceduresAfter you submit the revised draft and then the final manuscript, you must focus on the copyediting and production process. The entire copyedited manuscript or “first proof” will be sent to you for review. You may need to ask contributors for missing data or for clarification of some material, but avoid returning the copyedited chapters to them. If you cannot handle matters over the phone or email, scan, fax, or photocopy the page(s) in question and send only that material. In any event, make sure that you retain the original edited copy. Give each contributor a firm deadline for supplying answers to queries and follow up as necessary to obtain the information in a timely manner.

Deadlines are extremely important in the editorial and production stages. ACPA Books and Media and its current co-publisher reserve time in advance with professional copyeditors, proofreaders, and printers. If ACPA misses due dates, there may be considerable delays before these suppliers can reschedule the work.

These are the steps your manuscript will go through after you have incorporated the copywriter’s changes and returned final copy to the ACPA Books and Media Editor:

1. You must return the copyedited manuscript) with your changes indicated to the ACPA Books and Media Editor, along with a list of topics/items for indexing.

2. The ACPA Book and Media Editor (with assistance from the publisher) will produce an index for the book.

3. The manuscript will be forwarded to a professional layout editor for formatting as camera-ready copy, following the co-publisher’s guidelines.

4. The book will be printed from camera-ready copy.

5. Authors/contributors will receive one copy of the book, or single authors will receive five copies according to the ACPA Books and Media Policies and Procedures.

It is ACPA Books and Media policy not to deal directly with contributors to edited collections because of the delays and complications that would result. Plan to act for contributors at all times during the editorial and production process.


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Developing a Production Schedule for Multi-Authored BooksYou will need to develop a schedule of editorial stages prior to submitting the first draft. The sample schedule below allows for the manuscript to be initiated, completed, reviewed, and revised. The ACPA Books and Media Editor can advise you about modifying the intervals for your manuscript.

• You draft all items for the contributors’ packet and send to the ACPA Books and Media Editor for review.

• You send packets to contributors incorporating the ACPA Books and Media Editor’s recommendations.

• Contributors send you their detailed chapter outlines and abstracts. You write contributors about changes in coverage or organization.

• Contributors submit draft chapter manuscripts to you. You review and suggest changes.

• You review revisions, complete introduction and conclusion of book, and submit four copies of the first draft to the ACPA Books and Media Editor.

• This first draft is reviewed by three ACPA Books and Media Editorial Board members. Books and Media reviews are compiled and sent to you by either by the BAM Editor or one of the Associate Editors, who will be your primary contact through the revision process.

• You use the reviews to refine the manuscript or send chapters back to the authors for rewrite if necessary.

• You submit the revised draft to the ACPA Books and Media Editor/Associate Editor.

• The revised draft is reviewed by the ACPA Books and Media Editor/Associate Edtior. Recommendations will be sent to you as needed until the manuscript is approved.

• The final copy is approved by the BAM Editor.

• The complete manuscript is forwarded to the ACPA co-publisher.

• The manuscript goes into production (copyediting is completed, cover is designed, publication schedule is confirmed).

• The book is published by the ACPA Books and Media co-publisher.