Publishing with GUP

Introduction

The publishing activity of Genova University Press (GUP) includes research, teaching, and outreach publications, with particular reference to those produced by scholars of the University. The adoption of its own publishing brand allows the University’s scientific output to be consistently identified over time, facilitates its dissemination, and ensures its quality. It also makes it possible to retain copyright ownership of academic scientific products, as well as ownership of the series in which the works are published.

GUP has established a collaborative relationship with Casalini Libri and Casalini Digital Division aimed at promoting, distributing, and selling its publications; in particular, these channels ensure national distribution of each published volume to both private and public institutions, as well as the possibility of international purchase.

Genova University Press also participates in major industry fairs, such as the Turin International Book Fair, the Più libri più liberi fair for small and medium publishing in Rome, and the Book Pride fair in its Milan and Genoa editions, and is available to support authors in organizing book presentations.

The guidelines for submitting a publishing proposal are as follows.

1. Submission of the proposal

To submit a publishing project, it is necessary to complete and send by email to gup@unige.it the appropriate submission form according to the type of proposal:

The publishing proposal must be completed carefully in all its parts in order to describe the topic and purpose of the series/publication as thoroughly as possible.

If the proposer requests inclusion of the publication in an already active Series (or Subseries), the proposal form must also include the acceptance signature of the Series Editor.

The publishing proposal also includes a technical sheet to be completed by the author(s) or editor(s), which contains, among other things, the desired publication date, so that the GUP Office can assess the feasibility of the project and plan the work.

All publications issued by Genova University Press must comply with GUP editorial standards (see section 5: Submission of materials and editorial scheduling).

Authors (or editors) are not allowed to independently typeset the text, except in the case of conference proceedings published within the Full Paper Series.

In this case, typesetting must comply with the format provided by GUP. Non-compliance with the format may result in non-publication of the volume. Any graphic errors or imperfections will be the responsibility of the author(s).

2. Evaluation of the proposal

Submitted proposals are evaluated by the Scientific-Editorial Committee of Genova University Press at the first available meeting following receipt of the form, provided it is submitted at least 5 working days before the meeting. The Committee’s meeting calendar is available on the dedicated page.

The GUP Office reviews the proposal sheet before submitting it to the Committee, requesting any necessary clarifications or additions from the proposer.

If inclusion in a series is explicitly requested, the Series Editor reserves the right:

  • to request further clarification from the author(s) or to ask for submission of initial chapters for a more specific evaluation;
  • to consult external experts if necessary.

The Series Editor provides a final and binding opinion.

If no series inclusion is requested, the Scientific-Editorial Committee may request further clarification or sample chapters for deeper evaluation.

The Committee may also consult external experts if deemed necessary.

3. Contract

Within three weeks of proposal approval, the author(s) will receive an email containing:

  1. an opinion on the feasibility of the requested publication date or a proposed alternative date;
  2. an estimated calculation of typesetting costs based on the information provided in the technical sheet, including limits on text length and number of images (with a maximum allowable excess of 10%);
  3. the non-negotiable deadline for submission of final materials, including any cover image, in the required format;
  4. formatting and editorial guidelines (font, spacing, footnotes, citations, bibliography, etc.) in accordance with GUP standards and any applicable series guidelines;
  5. the expected production timeline following submission and any variations from the planned publication date;
  6. the type of publishing contract. In the case of a term contract, the author grants the Publisher, represented by the Rector, the right to publish the work within an agreed time period and number of editions.

For works in the Research editorial line, the estimate will be sent within three weeks of receiving positive external reviews.

Final materials must be submitted by the deadline indicated. If not submitted within twenty calendar days after this deadline, the proposal will be postponed in the publishing schedule.

4. Research section and double blind peer review

Proposals in the Research editorial line undergo double blind peer review before the contract phase, following procedures agreed with the Italian University Press Association (UPI), in line with national and international standards. Double blind peer review ensures that neither reviewers nor authors know each other's identities.

Peer review is carried out by two external reviewers using evaluation forms provided by GUP.

Reviewers are expected to submit their evaluations within sixty days unless otherwise specified.

If substantial revisions are required, continuation of the publishing process is subject to approval after verification of the changes.

For conference proceedings, alternatives include:

  • peer review by the conference scientific committee;
  • selection of contributions by the committee;
  • invitation-based selection of contributors.

The chosen procedure will be indicated in the colophon.

5. Submission of materials and editorial scheduling

By the specified deadline, the author(s) must submit:

  1. a single docx file containing the full text and image references;
  2. a folder with all images (300 dpi for print);
  3. a folder with editable tables and graphs;
  4. a separate docx file with captions.

A signed checklist confirming compliance must also be submitted.

Non-compliance will require resubmission within 5 working days, otherwise the project will be delayed.

6. Production process

  1. GUP prepares the first proof (bozza 1).
  2. The author has 10 working days to review it and indicate corrections.
  3. GUP produces the second proof.
  4. Final proofreading is carried out.
  5. Corrections are implemented and the updated file is sent.
  6. The author has 5 working days to approve the final version.

Delays may affect publication scheduling.

7. Publication

After final approval, ISBNs are assigned and pricing is defined. For print editions, a print proof may be required.

The final cost estimate is communicated, including any additional work and print copies (minimum 50 copies required for print editions).

Upon acceptance of costs and funding allocation, publication proceeds.

Each volume published by Genova University Press will have a dedicated page on the GUP website.

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