RICHARD J. COX
PROFESSOR
ARCHIVAL STUDIES

Dr. Richard J. Cox is the Publications Editor of the Society of American Archivists. Below is a description of the SAA's publications program; more information can be found at the SAA's web site (www.archivists.org).

THE MISSION

The knowledge guiding archival practice is codified, debated, and refined in the writings by archivists and others considering the nature of records, recordkeeping systems, and the archival imperative to preserve our documentary heritage. Archivists do not only read the documents they care for, but they read a range of publications on professional practice and archival scholarship.

The Society of American Archivists, through its publications program, is committed to meeting the needs of a changing and continuously challenged profession. Anyone interested in contributing to the building and disseminating of professional knowledge has an open invitation to join with the Society in the publishing venture.

The SAA is supporting a variety of publication series, including the Archival Fundamentals (basic manuals of practice), Archival Classics (featuring reprints or new collections of older publications with pivotal importance to the profession), Archival Readers (both collections of new and previously published essays intended to supplement the descriptions of foundational theory and practice of the Fundamental volumes), Archival International Readers (both collections of new and previously published essays intended to provide glimpses of archival work and knowledge outside of North America), and Archival Cases and Case Studies (examining archival work in a variety of institutional types and with a variety of media).

These publications cover all aspects of archival work and are intended to meet the needs of archivists from the novice to the most experienced professional. Individuals with ideas for publications that fit into these series or ideas about new series of publications are invited to contact the SAA.

THE CLEARINGHOUSE

The Society is also transforming its publications catalog into a central clearinghouse of resources about the profession, its mission, and its practices. The SAA is acquiring titles from other publishers, ranging from trade publishers and other professional associations to university presses, to cover research and scholarship, practice and application. Individuals who know of such publications, or publishers themselves, are invited to contact the SAA Publications Editors with suggestions.

The Society is also adding to the publications catalog links to online publications and resources. The SAA publications catalog is the primary source for archivists, manuscript curators, and other records and preservation professionals when seeking relevant and timely information for their work, in whatever form these works are published in. Individuals with suggestions about online sources are invited to contact the SAA Publications Editor with their suggestions.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR AUTHORS

The Society is especially interested in hearing from any individual with an idea about a publication on any aspect of archives and records work. The SAA will consider the publication of basic manuals, conference proceedings, collected essays and edited works, historical analyses, and research studies. The Society's publications program is also open to publishing in both traditional print and electronic or Web-based formats.

Full details about the processes for proposing and seeing through a publication are available on the SAA web site. Below is a description of the essential aspects of the SAA Publications Board policies.

CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF NEW PUBLICATIONS

The Publications Board and Editor approve both topics and authors of the SAA publications and also approve the selection of non-SAA published works to be distributed by the Society.

Potential authors are asked to prepare a specific prospectus for consideration by the Publications Board addressing the following:

• theme, purpose and scope of the publication;
• estimated format and length of the publication;
• an annotated outline or table of contents;
• intended audience and the potential market;
• prospective value to the archival profession;
• relationship of the proposed publication to the literature in the field;
• possibility of co-sponsorship with another organization;
• possibility of outside financial support;
• graphics and illustrations the publication might use;
• any potential co-authors or contributors in the case of an edited work; and
• anticipated schedule for preparation of the publication.

After review, and if accepted, the individual proposing a publication signs a contract stipulating a deadline for submission of the manuscript and other details specific to the publication project. Once a manuscript is received, it is sent out to reviewers to judge the quality of the scholarship and writing, whether the needs of the intended audience have been met, and to determine the extent (if any) of revisions needed.

The SAA Publication program provides copy editing, typesetting, indexing, proofreading, and production, with the author responsible for a final reading of the galleys and/or page proofs before publication.

SAA publications are usually completed on a work for hire basis, with SAA retaining the copyright and all rights to publish the manuscript or to license others to use it. Authors can receive a stipend (paid in two installments; one half when the Publications Board accepts a completed manuscript and one half upon publication), or an annual royalty arrangement based on the sales of the publication.

MARKETING

The Society has established itself internationally as the foremost source for publications about archival and other records work. Authors, both of SAA publications and volumes from other publishers, can expect that their works will be well-marketed.

The SAA office is responsible for promotion, sales, and distribution of the publication, although authors and the Publications Board are welcome to suggest ways in which these matters may be strengthened. The author agrees to provide quotations for promotional literature, to be available for interviews, and otherwise to assist in the marketing of the publication.

Anyone should feel free to suggest ideas for both original publications and carrying materials from other publishers to the Publications Editor. These ideas will be considered by the Editor and the Publications Board and if deemed to be of value, an author and prospectus will be sought.

CONTACTS

Teresa Brinati
Director of Publishing
Society of American Archivists
527 S. Wells St.
5th Floor
Chicago , IL 60607
312/922-0140
tbrinati@archivists.org

Richard J. Cox
SAA Publications Editor
Professor, Archival Studies
School of Information Sciences
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
412-624-3245
rcox@mail.sis.pitt.edu