From time to time this journal carries a Special Issue which consists of themed papers around a specific topic, introduced by an in-depth editorial that not only summarizes the papers, as usual, but also develops a particular view from the Guest Editor. This is an excellent opportunity for someone to demonstrate leadership in a particular part of the field, and to develop an argument or a theme with which he or she can be identified. Thus, the purpose of a Special Issue is twofold: first, to provide a group of papers themed around a specific topic and second, to provide an opportunity for a Guest Editor to develop and disseminate a view on the chosen topic. To help potential Guest Editors to understand the editorial decision-making process about whether a Special Issue will be accepted, this document suggests a useful format for proposing a Special Issue.
First, you would need to introduce and explain the particular topic or theme for the issue. You should make clear that this is a specific area in its own right, rather than a new name for something that is already well-known in the literature. You need to be clear about how this stands up in front of an international audience, not just your own country.
Second, it should be clear that there is sufficient depth to the topic for to provide 12-18 original, distinct and diverse contributions. There may be papers on the same topic, from different points of view and this kind of contention is welcomed. But several papers extolling the same point of view on the same issue should be avoided. Contributions may be papers, notes, letters, book reviews or obituaries. It is a good idea to seek as many different types as will fit into the topic, in order to provide a balanced and complete issue of the journal.
Third, the topic should be sufficiently developed internationally to ensure that there is a wide geographical spread. It is not necessary or even possible to cover every country or even every continent, but it must be clear in your proposal that you have identified the main research-active people in this topic, wherever they happen to be in the world. If they are all in the same region, then it would be inappropriate to carry the Special Issue in this journal.
Fourth, it should be clear that you are the kind of person that people working in this area would recognise as an authority on this topic, and that you are sufficiently knowledgeable and known to invite relevant and appropriate authors personally, rather than relying on an open call for papers.
Your proposal should aim to satisfy these criteria and should suggest 18-20 contributions (without committing you or any potential authors) that would indicate how these concerns would be met. It is usually a good idea to seek to elicit 18-20 contributions to allow for rejections and non-submissions, otherwise there is the danger that the Special Issue is kept waiting for recalcitrant authors. The form of your proposal should be an e-mail or a letter with an appendix listing the kind of contributions you seek with authors, affiliations, countries, indicative title of contribution and type of contribution. You may include papers that have already been published as this list is not going to bind you or the authors: its purpose is merely to illustrate that there is scope for a strong special issue with international relevance that will provide interesting angles on the specific theme or topic.
In speaking to potential contributors, you may need to provide an indicative timescale. Once the Special Issue has been approved by the Editor-in-Chief, you should allow 6-12 months for authors to write their papers, then another 3-6 months for papers to be refereed, revised and accepted/rejected. Once all the contributions have been finally dealt with, 2-3 months would be needed for production. During this time, you could be working on your Editorial, but you may need time after the issue has been assembled before we decide that the issue is complete.
Please direct all enquiries about ideas for Special Issues to the Editor-in-Chief.
Will Hughes, October 2006