FAQ für Autor*innen


Scientific books

 

Is there a Peer Review Process?

Your book cannot be published without a completed peer review. To confirm that your manuscript has gone through a peer review process, the following steps are necessary:

a) Publisher receives manuscript or publication request.
b) Publisher reviews its quality and checks the qualification of author/editor.
c) Publisher requests from editor written confirmation that there has been an independent peer review carried out by experts.
- The peer review is organized and done by the editor; the publisher does not take part in the process and has no influence on it.
- Peer review reports are evaluated by editors, the authors may reply to them. Acceptance or rejection is ultimately decided by the editor

What does a scientific publication cost at Wachholtz Verlag?

The costs in scientific publishing are strongly dependent on the requirements. We enable very inexpensive publishing just as we publish aesthetically sophisticated books. Our 'Wachholtz Basic' products cost 800,– € (plus 19% VAT). As an author, you are bound to the requirements of the automated typesetting process. Publications that cannot be realized within the scope of our basic offer and have to be typeset and designed manually usually cost between € 1,500 and € 9,000, depending on the requirements.

Does 'Wachholtz Basic' fit my project?

The basic offer is suitable for manuscripts without special design features. The manuscript must be set up by the author in a Word template according to certain criteria. Deviations from the given parameters or the procedure are not intended (see: https://www.wachholtz-verlag.de/Wissenschaft/). For all authors with deviating wishes (e.g. individual cover, layout, publishing services such as editing/proofreading, etc.) we will gladly prepare an individual offer.

What is 'automated typesetting'?

We offer 'automated' and individual typesetting. In automated typesetting, the typesetting runs are automatically converted into a designed PDF. To do this, the manuscript must be fully set into a specific template to be provided by the publisher. The advantage: time savings. In addition, a cost-effective offer (e.g. 'Wachholtz Basic') is possible in this way. Last but not least, automated typesetting makes it possible to prepare the manuscript in a media-neutral manner.

If your manuscript contains special characters (e.g. non-Latin characters, mathematical formulas, etc.), it must be checked on a case-by-case basis whether our automated system can process the characters. If processing is not possible, an individual typesetting procedure must be selected. Please be sure to contact us about this in advance.

Line breaks (i.e. hyphenation) are made according to the hyphenation method recommended by Duden. As long as there are no real errors, the automatic hyphenation is to be accepted and cannot be changed.

Can I make individual design requests?

For users of 'Wachholtz Basic' and the automated typesetting, there is no individual design possible. If the implementation of individual wishes is indispensable, these must be submitted before the contract is concluded. We will then prepare an individual offer and submit a sample layout for approval after the contract has been concluded. Alternatively, you can of course commission a graphic designer independently and submit a print-ready manuscript to us.

Are images and tables permitted?

In general, it is possible to include images, as long as they meet the technical requirements. Please read our information on manuscript preparation. In 'Wachholtz Basic' projects, the use of images is limited to black and white images and a maximum of 5.

Simple tables are possible with the automated typesetting procedure. If the tables are too extensive, we reserve the right not to allow them in the automated typesetting. In case of doubt, please clarify tables before accepting the offer in order to avoid additional costs later.

In automated typesetting, the exact location for placing images can only be influenced to a limited extent. They are always fitted to the pagination as a whole so that the space is optimally utilized.

How do I create indexes/registers?

Tables of contents and tables of figures are created automatically. For automated typesetting, the appropriate format specifications for headings must be taken into account. Subject, place and person indexes are to be created according to guidelines.

How do I prepare my manuscript?

The exact requirements for the manuscript depend largely on the type of proposal. As a general rule, the layout is done in typesetting. It is not necessary – nor desirable – to make the Word file "beautiful" or legible. Please refrain from formatting that deviates from the intended style sheets, and do not use hyphenation.

It is important that paragraph and character formats are assigned correctly. Basic instructions for preparing scientific submissions can be found here:

  1.     Information on manuscript preparation in general.
  2.     Information on the preparation of subject, place and person indexes

 

How much time do I need to prepare my manuscript?

Depending on the volume of text and image material, you should allow approx. 4–10 working hours for preparing the manuscript for automated typesetting. It is important to note that the manuscript should be as complete as possible in terms of content and already corrected. Corrections in typesetting involve additional work and costs. If the setup for the typesetting is to be carried out by the publisher, this must be taken into account in the individual offer.

What happens after I have submitted my manuscript to the publisher?

We check whether text, images and, if applicable, appendices have been submitted in accordance with our contractual agreements. We reserve the right to request rework if the manuscripts have not been set up correctly. As soon as the manuscripts are ready for typesetting, we will send you a time schedule that includes design and correction phases as well as deadlines for printing, delivery. Usually, there are 2–3 typesetting and 2 correction phases. The editors or authors give the imprimatur; after that, no more changes are made and the print data is sent to the printer. Experience shows that the time between manuscript submission and delivery from the printer is 8–12 weeks.

How can I submit my corrections?

Please refer to our detailed guide for authors for detailed information. The guidelines for users of our basic service and for individual projects are identical.

How do I give print approval?

Print approval is given informally in writing by e-mail to the project management. A print release must not contain any further correction requests or needs.

What will it cost me to have my book published as an e-book?

Nothing. Since the distribution via libraries is of great importance for scientific publications, we also create an e-book in PDF in addition to the print edition – without additional costs. For distribution in libraries, the specialized NOMOS eLibrary is our partner. Distribution in EPUB format must be checked individually. Additional costs are incurred here.

What additional costs can arise?

There are no costs for which there is no explicit agreement on the part of the customer. The costs are contractually binding. Should there be any deviations from the contract at the request of the authors/publishers (e.g. changes to the features, additional contractual services, unusually high proofreading requirements, etc.), we will first check the feasibility. If the requests are technically feasible, we specify the expected additional costs in writing. If the client does not agree with the additional costs, the contractually agreed costs apply.