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How to suggest a theme issue

Editorial Director
Updated

1. Submit a Theme Issue Proposal

To suggest a theme issue (also called e-collection), please fill out the Theme Issue Proposal form. 

 

Theme Issue Proposal Form

 

Please only fill out this form (above) if you are proposing a new theme issue or e-collection. The form will request the following information (you may also fill out the MoU linked below in preparation):

  • What is the Title of the theme issue/e-collection?
  • What is the primary target journal? Theme issue topics may span manuscripts published across a range of journals (see Which journals is JMIR Publications currently publishing?), although usually there is one main target journal for each theme issue. Identify which JMIR publications journal has the closest scope and focus that matches the theme issue topic. We recommend against choosing the journal based on Impact Factor (What is Impact Factor misuse?). Note that JMIR Publications policy on transfer of manuscripts applies to theme issues also (Why has my article been transferred to another journal (or a transfer has been suggested), and what are my options?). 
  • Will this be open-call, invitation-only (closed call), or a combination of both? Describe how authors will be / are being solicited. For example, if the theme issue is a product of a workshop or conference, the theme issue proposal should state how manuscripts are selected for the theme issue: will conference or workshop organizers or judges select top contributions to invite for publication? For theme issue proposals, the expected minimum of published manuscript is typically 10. There is no maximum, particularly for very timely and leading-edge topics.
  • Who are the guest editors handling the papers? All guest editors should review How to guest edit a theme issue and Best practices for guest edited collections (COPE guidance).
    • Will there be a guest editorial accompanying this theme issue, written by the editors (usually free of charge)?
  • Sponsored vs non-sponsored theme issue: Who will pay the Article Processing Fee(s)?
    • Sponsored theme issue (usually, but not always, closed call for papers): You can decide to cover the costs for the theme issue through a sponsor or grant ("sponsored theme issue").
    • Non-sponsored theme issue (usually open calls for papers): JMIR Publications can offer a 20% discount on the APF for guest-edited theme issues, as long as the minimum number of published manuscripts is met. An alternative option for the guest editors is they may choose instead to have no discount, but they may be given 1 APF waiver per 5 published theme issue articles to solicit high-quality original research from specific experts in the field. 
  • How many papers do we anticipate publishing? Over what time period will they be submitted (first submission when, last submission when)? See examples for typical timelines below.
  • Optional, not necessary at the first point of contact): Draft Call for Papers (CfP), see guidelines below

2. Calls for Papers (CfP) Format

Guest editors should prepare a Call for Papers. Ideally, submitting this during

CfPs are usually published as Announcement in a given journal.

A call for papers should have the following elements:

  • Scope/content of the theme issue
  • Name of the sponsoring organization/event, including (optionally) a link to the organization/event website
  • Full name, degree(s), title(s) and affiliation(s) of all guest editors
  • Month, Day, and Year of the due date (deadline) for submissions
  • Who is eligible to submit a proposal? State if submissions are only accepted from presenters at a conference/workshop/event or funded under a certain program etc. (closed call).
  • When are the manuscripts to be published? If all manuscripts are to publish together at the same time, then an approximate target date or Month and Year should be specified. If publishing is continuous (the norm for all JMIR Publications journals), then guest editors should specify this in communication with JMIR Publications staff, so that staff can add this statement to the Call for Papers. 

The following information will be added by JMIR Publications staff to the Call for Papers:

 

Typical timeline for Theme Issues

Timeline if authors have been identified

(e.g. abstracts have been prescreened and invited)

t=0 Call for abstracts/papers published

t+2m Submission deadline for abstract submissions

t+3m Full paper invitations sent out by theme issue guest editors

t+6m Submission deadline for full papers

t+8m First round of reviews completed, editors have sent requests for revisions

t+11m Revisions submitted and decisions made

 

Timeline for open call for papers

(no abstract prescreening)

t=0 Call for abstracts/papers published

t+2m Submission deadline for abstract submissions

t+3m Full paper invitations sent out by theme issue guest editors

t+6m Submission deadline for full papers

t+8m First round of reviews completed, editors have sent requests for revisions

t+11m Revisions submitted and decisions made

t+14m Theme issue publication

 

3. What is next? 

After guest editors submit a theme issue proposal, the Managing Editor for the journal will review the proposal, guest editor information, and seek approval from the Editor-in-Chief

Guest editors may wish to review our MoU template, which would be required for completion and signature, if the Editor-in-Chief approves the theme issue for their journal. 

 

See also:

 

 

Related:

 

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