There is a Memorandum of Understanding between IUGS and the Geological Society of London (GSL) that books arising from IUGS activities should be offered to the Society for publication (https://www.geolsoc.org.uk/publications). All Special Publications, Engineering Geology Special Publications and Memoirs published by the Geological Society since 2008 are indexed in the Web of Science in the Book Citation Index or the Conference Proceedings Citation Index. They are also indexed in Scopus. Once 6 articles have been accepted, following review, and there are enough articles in the system to make a viable book, they are published online and others are published as soon as they are satisfactorily completed. Printing takes place when all have been published online. Therefore early authors are not delayed by the later ones.
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Guidance for submission of book proposal
The Society has two series suitable for IUGS-related publications: Special Publications and Memoirs
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Special Publications
Titles in this internationally acclaimed series are usually based around high-quality scientific meetings or multi-contributor scientific projects or programs. However, these volumes are not just proceedings volumes.
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Consist of edited collections of papers.
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Based on primary science.
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Represent coherent and balanced collection of papers on a topical theme.
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Present results of latest research, with state of the art reviews of a subject.
Production specifications for Special Publications are as follows:
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Bindingcase bound.
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Trim size - 248x172mm.
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Paper type - smooth coated 90gsm.
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Maximum extent - 400 pages.
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Memoirs
Titles in this series are larger format and represent authoritative treatments of key Earth science subjects. The series is ideally suited to publishing the results of major research programs.
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Results of major research projects or other definitive treatment (edited collections or single papers).
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Based on primary science.
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Larger format to facilitate maps and sections.
Production specifications for Memoirs are as follows:
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Binding - case bound.
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Trim size - 310x230mm.
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Paper type - smooth coated 90gsm.
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Maximum extent - 400 pages.
Occasional titles which do not fit into either of these series may be considered for one of our other series (e.g. Engineering Geology Special Publications), or for one-off publication.
The intending editor (or author) should submit their proposal to the Geological Society Publishing House at the earliest possible date. The following information is needed:
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Title
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Editors’ names and addresses (or authors if it is not an edited collection).
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Title of IUGS programme.
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List of paper titles and authors (or chapters if it is not an edited collection).
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A brief description of the aims of the book.
You should format the list of papers to reflect the intended structure of the book. We understand that there may be some uncertainty about which papers will be submitted and accepted at this stage. You should indicate what introductory/synthesis chapters you intend to include. You should also indicate what steps would be taken to fill any gaps in order to produce a balanced volume.
Books can have more than one editor. The editor(s) will be responsible for liaison between the contributing authors and the Society.
The proposal will be subject to the Society’s normal investment appraisal procedures, which include internal and external scientific review. If the proposal is accepted, the editors will be expected to get the papers reviewed to the same standard as the Society’s journals. Online submission and review will be offered as an option.
Factors that contribute to a successful proposal:
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editors who are well known, reliable and well respected in their field;
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a significant number of well-known authors;
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good coherent coverage of the subject matter;
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ideally there should be 15–25 papers, but minimum 10 and maximum 30 (books over 400 pages will be expensive to produce and will therefore have high prices);
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no papers that are marginal to the subject;
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a good introductory review paper – this should introduce the subject, not just the papers in the book
Your proposal should be submitted, preferably by e-mail, to:
Maggie Simmons
Email: maggie.simmons@geolsoc.org.uk
Head of Editorial Development
The Geological Society Publishing House,
Unit 7 Brassmill Enterprise Centre, Brassmill Lane, Bath
BA1 3JN, UK
