Author Guidelines

1. Scope of Submissions

Book Collector welcomes original research articles, review essays, book reviews, and scholarly reflections across the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Contributions may address literature, book history, book collecting, cultural studies, art, history, philosophy, media, and related disciplines. Interdisciplinary and comparative approaches are strongly encouraged.

2. Language and Length

  • Manuscripts must be written in clear, concise English (UK or US spelling, consistently applied).

  • Research articles should generally be 5,000–8,000 words (including references and notes).

  • Review essays: 3,000–5,000 words.

  • Book reviews: 1,000–2,000 words.

  • Shorter communications or reflections (up to 3,000 words) are also considered.

3. Manuscript Preparation

  • Format: Submit in Word (.docx) or compatible format.

  • Font: Times New Roman, 12 pt, double-spaced, with 1-inch margins.

  • Headings: Use a clear hierarchy (e.g., Heading 1, Heading 2) consistently.

  • Referencing Style: Authors may use MLA, Chicago, or APA, but it must be applied consistently throughout. Footnotes/endnotes should be used sparingly and only where essential.

  • Abstract & Keywords: Provide an abstract of 150–250 words and 4–6 keywords.

  • Figures & Tables: High-resolution images, tables, or graphs should be placed within the text and also uploaded as separate files (JPEG/PNG/TIFF). Authors must ensure copyright clearance for all third-party material.

  • Acknowledgements: Should appear at the end of the text before references.

4. Submission Process

  • All submissions must be made electronically via Journal Submission Portal or via email: editor@bookcollectorjournal.co.uk

  • Authors must include a cover letter outlining the significance of the work and confirming that the submission is original, unpublished, and not under review elsewhere.

5. Peer Review Policy

  • All submissions undergo initial editorial screening to ensure relevance and quality.

  • Eligible manuscripts are then subject to blind peer review by at least two experts in the field.

  • The process typically takes 2-3 weeks, and authors will be notified of acceptance, revision, or rejection.

6. Copyright and Licensing

  • Copyright is held by the journal. Authors will be required to agree to the journal’s copyright/licensing terms as part of the publication process. Authors continue to be credited as the creators of their work.

  • All content is published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), allowing unrestricted sharing and adaptation with proper attribution.

7. Article Processing Charges (APC)

  • An Article Processing Charge (APC) applies to all accepted manuscripts.

  • APC shall be paid within 7 days of receiving the acceptance notification.

  • Failure to pay within the deadline may result in withdrawal of acceptance.

  • APCs are non-refundable and non-transferable under any circumstances, including withdrawal of the manuscript by the author after payment.

  • The exact APC amount will be communicated to authors upon acceptance.

8. Ethical Responsibilities

  • Authors must ensure their work is original, appropriately cite sources, and avoid plagiarism.

  • Submissions involving sensitive data, images, or archival materials must include evidence of appropriate permissions.

  • Conflicts of interest must be disclosed at the time of submission.

  • The journal adheres to the principles of academic integrity and publication ethics as recommended by COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics).

9. Reviewers and Editorial Integrity

  • Reviewers are selected for their expertise and provide constructive feedback to help authors improve their work.

  • Decisions are based solely on academic merit, relevance, and originality.

10. Archiving and Preservation

  • To ensure long-term availability, all published content is preserved in LOCKSS, CLOCKSS, and PKP PN systems.

11. Privacy

  • Personal information provided during the submission and review process is used only for editorial and publishing purposes and is not shared with third parties.

12. Contact Information

For queries, please contact:

Email: editor@bookcollectorjournal.co.uk

Website: bookcollectorjournal.co.uk