After extensive searching on the Internet, I failed to find a venue for Hispanists to share with colleagues their myriad of experiences with publishing, particularly the handling of the review and publication processes by refereed journals. My motive is not to encourage irrational venting sessions for rejected authors, but to prompt an intelligent and useful exchange that might assist scholars with choosing prospective journals that exemplify professionalim and integrity; journals that conduct the entire review process expeditiously and provide authors with useful feedback for improving their manuscripts. Many true horror stories have been shared at academic conferences and within language and literature departments across the country, and these should indeed be shared here to help each other avoid potential pitfalls. Besides assisting our fellow scholars, if this blog also succeeds at ultimately improving the management of certain refereed journals, then many in the profession will benefit.
Editorial Committee lists three members affiliated with the same institution that hosts the journal (Austin Peay), and at least one graduate student from another institution. Without question, this will draw scrutiny from any college-wide T&P committee doing its homework. And with the proliferation of e-journals over the past 10 years, the assessment of journal quality has become even more itense, and the composition of an editorial board is one indicator of such quality...
I have to correct the previous comments. The journal does not have a graduate student listed as member of the editorial board. Moreover, the new call for papers lists reputable contributors as editors such as: Invited Editors for the Gothic Issue: Lola López Martín, University of Barcelona Expert in Latin American Horror Literature from the XIX century and editor of R.I.P. Antología del cuento de terror hospanoamericano del siglo XIX, 2010 Antonio Alcalá González Organizer of the University of Mexico (UNAM) Gothic International Conference since 2008 http://gothiccongress.blogspot.com/
As far as having three members from Austin Peay State University, the journal is a collaborative effort from the faculty of that institution and I do not see that it would diminish the reputation of this peer-reviewed journal.
I politely disagree with the previous entry. If a journal has multiple of the hosting institution's own employees/professors on its Editorial Board--not to mention that the Managing Editor is ALSO from the same institution--no serious tenure and promotion evaluation panel at any college or university is going to ignore the obvious appearance of "amiguismo," which indeed diminishes a journal's reputation in the eyes of most. It's one thing for the Managing Editor to be affiliated with the hosting institution, but he/she has a responsibility to appoint a diverse editorial board of seasoned, recognized and accomplished scholars from OTHER institutions if there is a desire to establish a solid reputation. And identifying two temporary "invited editors" is not convincing...
In light of the previous comment, the question still remains: would/will our peers consider all the current ed board members "seasoned" and "accomplished" scholars in their respective fields? If not, then this is a critically important issue for all colleagues to consider if they plan to apply for tenure and/or promotion down the line...
I knew no one there, sent something in cold, and got the article accepted with great and timely feedback. I can't speak to tenure committees, but they were a pleasure to work with.
I got no comments or feedback on the article that I sent to them- just a formulaic "Lamento comunicarle..." rejection from the editor with no explanation.
Editorial Committee lists three members affiliated with the same institution that hosts the journal (Austin Peay), and at least one graduate student from another institution. Without question, this will draw scrutiny from any college-wide T&P committee doing its homework. And with the proliferation of e-journals over the past 10 years, the assessment of journal quality has become even more itense, and the composition of an editorial board is one indicator of such quality...
ReplyDeleteI have to correct the previous comments. The journal does not have a graduate student listed as member of the editorial board. Moreover, the new call for papers lists reputable contributors as editors such as:
ReplyDeleteInvited Editors for the Gothic Issue:
Lola López Martín, University of Barcelona
Expert in Latin American Horror Literature from the XIX century and editor of R.I.P. Antología del cuento de terror hospanoamericano del siglo XIX, 2010
Antonio Alcalá González
Organizer of the University of Mexico (UNAM) Gothic International Conference since 2008
http://gothiccongress.blogspot.com/
As far as having three members from Austin Peay State University, the journal is a collaborative effort from the faculty of that institution and I do not see that it would diminish the reputation of this peer-reviewed journal.
I politely disagree with the previous entry. If a journal has multiple of the hosting institution's own employees/professors on its Editorial Board--not to mention that the Managing Editor is ALSO from the same institution--no serious tenure and promotion evaluation panel at any college or university is going to ignore the obvious appearance of "amiguismo," which indeed diminishes a journal's reputation in the eyes of most. It's one thing for the Managing Editor to be affiliated with the hosting institution, but he/she has a responsibility to appoint a diverse editorial board of seasoned, recognized and accomplished scholars from OTHER institutions if there is a desire to establish a solid reputation. And identifying two temporary "invited editors" is not convincing...
ReplyDeleteThe previous comment makes sense. If Polifonia wants to get more credibility it has to have a more diverse editorial board.
ReplyDeleteThey look to be diversifying. Latest editorial board on the site is more diverse, reflecting some of the comments posted on this page.
ReplyDeleteIn light of the previous comment, the question still remains: would/will our peers consider all the current ed board members "seasoned" and "accomplished" scholars in their respective fields? If not, then this is a critically important issue for all colleagues to consider if they plan to apply for tenure and/or promotion down the line...
ReplyDeleteSi alguien quiere desperdiciar un articulo, adelante.
ReplyDeleteI knew no one there, sent something in cold, and got the article accepted with great and timely feedback. I can't speak to tenure committees, but they were a pleasure to work with.
ReplyDeleteI got no comments or feedback on the article that I sent to them- just a formulaic "Lamento comunicarle..." rejection from the editor with no explanation.
ReplyDelete