Everything you need to prepare, submit, and publish a high-quality book with SPJ Publication — from manuscript formatting and ethics to peer review, Open Access, and the final submission checklist.
We are committed to publishing high-quality academic, professional, and educational books that contribute meaningfully to research, teaching, and professional practice. These author guidelines have been developed to help authors prepare manuscripts that meet international publishing standards and facilitate a smooth editorial and production process.
Authors are encouraged to read these guidelines carefully before submitting their work to ensure compliance with formatting, ethical, and editorial requirements.
Our publishing program welcomes original manuscripts from a broad range of academic disciplines and professional fields. We publish:
Manuscripts should present well-organized, evidence-based content suitable for students, educators, researchers, clinicians, and professionals. Every proposal is evaluated according to its originality, academic merit, market relevance, and contribution to the advancement of knowledge.
Authors are expected to submit only original work that has not been previously published or simultaneously submitted elsewhere. All manuscripts must comply with internationally accepted standards of publication ethics and research integrity. Proper acknowledgement must be given to all sources of information, and permissions must be obtained for copyrighted text, figures, tables, or images reproduced from other publications.
Before preparing the complete manuscript, authors are encouraged to submit a detailed book proposal for editorial evaluation. The proposal should clearly describe:
The proposal enables the editorial board to assess the academic significance, publishing feasibility, and market potential of the proposed work before inviting the full manuscript.
To ensure consistency, high production quality, and efficient editorial processing, authors are requested to prepare their manuscripts according to the following guidelines. Manuscripts that do not comply with these requirements may be returned for revision before entering the editorial review process.
Use the following formatting specifications unless otherwise instructed:
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Paper Size | A4 (210 × 297 mm) |
| Margins | 2.5 cm on all sides |
| Font | Times New Roman |
| Font Size | 12 pt (main text) |
| Line Spacing | 1.5 |
| Paragraph Alignment | Justified |
| Page Numbering | Bottom centre or bottom right |
| Header / Footer | As required by the publisher |
A consistent heading hierarchy should be maintained throughout the manuscript, numbered consistently where appropriate:
The manuscript should generally be arranged in the following order:
Each chapter should be prepared in a consistent format and may include a chapter title; author(s) name and affiliation; corresponding author; abstract and keywords (optional); introduction; main text with appropriate headings; tables and figures; conclusion or summary; and references.
Careful adherence to these preparation guidelines facilitates efficient peer review, copyediting, typesetting, and production — ensuring a timely and high-quality publication. See the full submission checklist below.
A well-structured manuscript improves comprehension and ensures consistency throughout the publication. The manuscript should generally include a title page, copyright page, dedication or acknowledgements where applicable, preface, foreword, table of contents, list of contributors, chapters, references, appendices, glossary, and index if required. Each chapter should follow a logical sequence with clearly defined headings and subheadings that facilitate easy navigation for readers.
Every chapter should begin with an informative title followed by the names and affiliations of the contributing authors where appropriate. Chapters should include an introduction that outlines the topic, followed by logically organized content supported by current scientific evidence, illustrations, tables, and references. Each chapter should conclude with a brief summary or conclusion highlighting the key learning points. Authors are encouraged to maintain consistency in writing style, terminology, abbreviations, and formatting throughout the book.
Figures, photographs, diagrams, graphs, and tables should be of high quality and directly support the accompanying text. Each illustration must be numbered sequentially, appropriately cited within the chapter, and accompanied by a descriptive caption. Images should be submitted in high-resolution formats suitable for both print and digital publication. Authors are responsible for obtaining written permission to reproduce copyrighted material and for ensuring that all visual content complies with applicable copyright regulations.
Accurate referencing is essential for maintaining scientific credibility and acknowledging previous work. Authors should use the citation style specified by the publisher or book editor consistently throughout the manuscript. Every reference cited in the text must appear in the reference list, and all entries should contain complete bibliographic information. Authors are encouraged to include recent, reliable, and peer-reviewed sources whenever possible to strengthen the academic quality of the book.
The completed manuscript should be submitted together with all required supporting documents, including author information, copyright declaration, authorship statement, ethical approval documents where applicable, and any supplementary material requested by the publisher. Authors should carefully review the submission checklist before submission to ensure the manuscript is complete and formatted according to the prescribed guidelines.
You can submit your proposal and manuscript — and attach your draft file (PDF or Word) — through our Edited Book submission form.
Submit Your ManuscriptOnce submitted, every manuscript moves through a structured editorial and production process designed to uphold the highest publication standards.
Initial screening for scope, originality, organization, language quality, formatting, and ethical compliance. Manuscripts passing the preliminary assessment proceed to peer review.
Independent specialists evaluate scientific accuracy, originality, clarity, educational significance, and methodological soundness. Authors may be asked to revise before a final decision.
Accepted manuscripts undergo copyediting, typesetting, page layout, cover design, and proofreading. An ISBN is assigned and the book is prepared for print and digital publication.
Authors retain responsibility for ensuring that all submitted material complies with copyright laws and intellectual property regulations. Prior written permission must be obtained for any copyrighted content included in the manuscript unless permitted under applicable licensing agreements.
The rights and responsibilities of both the publisher and the author will be clearly defined in the publication agreement signed prior to production. Licensing arrangements for open-access publications will be communicated separately where applicable.
An Open Access (OA) book is a scholarly publication made freely available online immediately after publication, allowing anyone to read, download, share, and cite the content without subscription fees or paywall restrictions. Open Access publishing promotes the unrestricted dissemination of academic knowledge while maintaining rigorous editorial standards, peer review, professional production, and long-term digital preservation. OA books may be distributed under a Creative Commons license that specifies how content may be reused with appropriate attribution.
Readers from any country can access the complete book without subscription or purchase.
Freely available books are more easily discovered through search engines, repositories, and databases.
Wider readership leads to greater opportunities for citations and scholarly recognition.
Enables collaboration among researchers, educators, clinicians, and policymakers.
Institutions can adopt OA books as teaching resources without extra cost to students.
Digital archiving keeps published books permanently accessible for future generations.
Open Access publication generally involves a Book Publication Charge (BPC), which supports the professional services required for publishing while allowing the book to remain freely accessible. The charge may cover:
Authors are encouraged to explore funding for Open Access publication through universities and academic institutions, research funding agencies, government organizations, professional societies, institutional Open Access funds, research grants, and individual or departmental funding. Verify funding eligibility and publication requirements with your sponsoring organization before submission.
Subscription-Based Publishing is the traditional model in which printed books, e-books, or digital editions are made available through commercial sales, institutional subscriptions, bookstores, libraries, or online retailers. Under this model, readers or institutions purchase access to the published work, while the publisher manages production, marketing, distribution, and sales. Depending on the agreement, authors may receive royalties based on net sales.
Ideal for maximum visibility, unrestricted global access, and wider dissemination without barriers for readers.
Preferred for commercial sales, traditional royalty models, institutional distribution, and long-term retail availability.
The publisher may offer either model individually or provide authors with the option to choose the most appropriate publication route based on the nature of the manuscript and publishing objectives.
Before publication, authors will receive electronic page proofs for careful review. This stage allows authors to identify typographical errors, formatting inconsistencies, or minor corrections that may have arisen during typesetting. Major revisions involving substantial additions, deletions, or restructuring of content are generally not permitted after typesetting. Prompt review and timely return of corrected proofs help ensure efficient publication.
Authors are responsible for the accuracy, originality, and completeness of their submitted work. They must ensure that all contributors have approved the final manuscript and that any conflicts of interest, funding information, or ethical approvals are appropriately disclosed. Authors should respond promptly to editorial communications, cooperate during peer review and production, and notify the publisher if significant errors are identified after publication.
Publishing with SPJ Publication provides authors with comprehensive editorial and production support throughout the publication process, including:
These services help maximize the visibility, accessibility, and scholarly impact of published works. The final decision regarding publication rests with the editorial board after careful consideration of peer-review reports, editorial evaluations, ethical compliance, and publishing priorities.
Before submission, authors should verify that:
Prepare your manuscript following these guidelines, then reach out to our editorial team to begin.
Submit a Proposal Talk to Our Team