Proposal Guidelines

Proposal Guidelines for Volume Editors and Authors

Subjects

The Scottish Record Society (SRS) publishes transcriptions and commentaries on primary sources about aspects of Scottish history and record-keeping. We interpret ‘history’ broadly, to include early, medieval and modern history.

Content

The work should be based on primary sources and archive material, with appropriate references. It should be up-to-date with other relevant work; and it must not infringe copyright, or plagiarise or duplicate the work of others. We may refer proposed text for expert review to ensure that it meets a high standard.

Normally the Volume Editor produces a short introduction to give context, and an index.

Length

Finished volumes are generally between 60 and 320 pages in length in SRS A5 format.

Illustrations

Appropriate black and white or grey-tone illustrations are welcome. Not all subjects lend themselves to illustration, but we hope it will always be possible to use at least one for the front jacket. Colour may only be considered if it is intrinsic to the subject, e.g. Heraldry, or for the jacket.

Style

Because of the varied nature and age of its subject material, the SRS does not impose rigid style rules on Volume Editors, but it does ask for consistency of approach. The SRS recommends the style of the Scottish Historical Review, which may be found at http://www.euppublishing.com/page/shr/submissions, though Volume Editors may follow another appropriate style with which they are familiar. Footnotes, rather than endnotes or notes in text, are preferred.

For a Calendar or transcribed text the SRS prefers a modern spelling of names, for ease both of understanding and of reference, but as above this is subject to the nature of the material and wishes of the Volume Editor. For original text or quotations from original text, the original spelling should be used. The index normally gives a name in its modern form first, with the variants following or in brackets.

Outline proposal format

PROPOSER

Name, address, proposer’s background relevant to the proposal

PROPOSAL

The material offered

FORMAT

Its present format and size, e.g. Word document, number of words or A4 pages

SOURCES

Where the material is to be found, any similar material, ownership of original material; its nature and physical description

JUSTIFICATION

Historical context and reasons to publish: the expected audience, market in view, whether it is a unique source, why it is appropriate for the SRS

SAMPLES

Some examples of the material proposed; any model being followed

TIMESCALE

Readiness for publication

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Any further work to be done, suggestions for layout

DISCLOSURE

Any conflict of interest, or interest in common

Process

  1. A proposal to publish is made to the Scottish Record Society Council via the Series Editor, editor@scottishrecordsociety.org.uk. The Council meets three times a year, and seeks to respond in a timely fashion. If the proposal is accepted, the Volume Editor is asked to sign a publishing agreement and assign copyright to the SRS.
  2. The Volume Editor and Series Editor will initially discuss the style, organisation, references and index, and any illustrations. They will agree a schedule.
  3. The Series Editor is responsible for seeking and obtaining permissions for use of the original material and any illustrations. The Volume Editor’s guidance will be welcome, but Volume Editors are not required to obtain permissions themselves, other than for permission to use the original material for their research.
  4. The agreed text will be typeset, and proofread to at least two stages of proof by the Volume and Series Editors before being sent to the printers as finished pdfs.
  5. Printers’ proofs will be checked for pagination and general appearance by the Series Editor.
  6. Printed copies will be distributed to SRS members, and the Volume Editor will receive five copies for his or her personal use.