Every manuscript requires meticulous attention to style and formatting to ensure a smooth conversion to the final textbook product.  The specifications below are intended to assist you with creating a manuscript that meets our printing and publishing requirements.  Please go through this document carefully and ensure that all contributors also have a copy of it prior to creation of your manuscript.

Style

The manuscript should be prepared according to the most recent edition of the Chicago Manual of Style.  We urge you to have a print copy, but a free trial to the online website can be obtained at http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/.  All references should follow either the style within this manual, or the commonly accepted method within the profession.

Grammar and Spelling

The most recent edition of Webster’s English Dictionary in the United States idiom is the accepted reference for spelling.  Grammar should be standard US English.  A word processor should be used and a full spelling and grammar check should be completed prior to submission.

Publishing Standards

Any sort of derogatory or questionable statements regarding race, gender, ethnicity, religion, nationality, or in any way offensive or otherwise not meeting our standards will be rejected.  Any formulas, recipes, or lists to create dangerous products will be rejected.  We adhere to the highest ethical standards in content and publishing.

Publishing Process

Please ensure that your completed manuscript includes all of the parts listed below.  After receipt of a completed manuscript and a formal notice of acceptance, please permit up to one year for us to publish your manuscript.  Most manuscripts that meet our criteria can be published within six months of acceptance.

Manuscript Contents

Front Matter

• Title Page
• Dedication
• Table of Contents with level 1 and 2 headings
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Introduction

Text

• Manuscript organized by sections and chapters
• Appropriate citations within the text
• Do not include headers or footers
• Include all figures embedded within the text and as separate, high-resolution files
• Embed all tables within the text

Back Matter

• End notes, as appropriate
• Bibliography
• About the Author
• Appendix
• Glossary, as appropriate

Copyright Permissions

You are responsible for collecting written and signed permissions for all third party content.  These permissions must be delivered with the manuscript at the time of submission.  Any content that is taken from publically available sources, such as from the United States government, must be thoroughly documented.  Clear references and citations are required for any content that is not original.  You are responsible for all costs or fees to obtain such permissions.

Document Specifications

• All content should be submitted as a Microsoft Word document or a similarly compatible format as a double-spaced manuscript.  Page margins should be 1” top, bottom, left, and right.
• Do not use hyphenation or justification.
• Bold, italicize, or highlight high-yield or essential information.  Please only one of these conventions and do so sparingly to ensure maximum effect for the reader.
• All abbreviations should be listed with a space between the number and unit (i.e. 20 kg).  The initial use of an abbreviation should be defined in the text.
• All formulas should be typed using the Microsoft Equation Editor or similar function.
• If you are using internal cross-references, do so by referencing the specific section, chapter, and topic; do not cross-reference using page numbers.
• Figure captions should be embedded within the text, not within the image.

Art Specifications

• All art work should be included as a full resolution, 300 dpi image saved in an uncompressed format (i.e. PSD, TIFF).  For example, if you would like the image to appear as a 4” x 4” image within the text, it should be submitted as a 4” x 4” x 300 dpi TIFF or PSD.  If you are submitting a PSD, please ensure that the image is not flattened.  All images should be submitted as CMYK.
• All line art or charts should be submitted as 600 dpi images at scale.

Please contact us with any questions or issues.  We are happy to help!

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