The
production schedule
After
the Editor has decided which reviews and articles to publish in the
next issue, submissions are compiled with the necessary paperwork
and permissions and sent to Duke University Press. The production
schedule for a single issue, from manuscript to bound journal, is
five months at best, longer if the turnaround at any point is slower
than expected. Factors slowing down the production are extensive copyediting,
copyright permissions for images, and, alas, unavailability of authors
to approve proofs. If
the issue gets to the printer late, either it loses its place in the
queue or the press must pay extra for expedited service.
1st
cycle: copy-editing
When the entire issue has been copy-edited (approximately two months
after Duke receives it), Chris Mazzara—our long-time and highly
admired copy-editor—sends each author two printed copies of his
on-screen editing results. If you haven't seen copies of on-screen
editing before, they may appear severe at first glance. Editing software
is extremely thorough and, to that end, a bit repetitive, causing
a simple transposition of words to appear as a major edit. Chris sends
a letter of introduction along with further explanations and instructions
to progress the author/editor dialogue. Authors have about a week
to respond to these edits.
2nd
cycle: proofs
After the
editing cycle is complete (in another four to eight weeks), authors
receive the type-set proofs for final approval. Edits at this point
are generally minimal—and expensive, but proofs allow authors
to have a fresh and final look at how they will appear in print. Authors
have about one week to respond.
If during these
cycles, it's impossible to check the copyediting or proof properly
on such short notice, contact Duke; sometimes an alternate deadline
can be arranged. Also, we ask contributors for expected travel dates
to project where we should send editing and proof copies
Distribution
Finally,
the big payoff: articles and reviews—beautifully bound in their
red covers—are distributed to subscribers. Article authors receive
5 complimentary copies of the journal for their own personal distribution.
Review authors receive 2 complimentary copies of the journal. In addition,
all authors have the option of buying reprints of their article at
any time directly from the printer.
