Inter-journal special issues

A special issue can comprise publications in any number of Copernicus’ open-access journals, of which one should be nominated as the lead journal for administrative purposes. The handling of individual manuscripts follows the standard procedures for special issues in the journal to which the manuscript is submitted. Afterwards, all published papers are co-listed on a joint special issue web page (in addition to the regular chronological volume of each journal).

If you intend to propose an inter-journal special issue, please first send your proposal to the executive editors of the lead journal. If your proposal is accepted, please also contact the executive editors of the constituent journals to find out if they want to participate in the inter-journal special issue. Only after all journals have agreed, should all information (see above) on the inter-journal special issue be sent to the Copernicus Publications Editorial Support.

Special issue proposal and guidelines for editors

Our guidelines are aimed at helping you with the process of submitting a proposal so that you might better understand your responsibilities as a special issue editor. We encourage contact with one of the executive editors (see editorial board) to informally discuss a possible proposal or in case of questions not answered by these guidelines. Please note that we

• require editor team diversity in terms of representing a variety of institutes, career stages, and gender;
• particularly encourage review articles for a special issue, with an average of one review article solicited for every 8–10 papers in the special issue;
• welcome a preface by the special issue editors, contextualizing the articles; and
• encourage the special issue editors to work with the authors so that each set of authors are aware of what others are submitting, thus enabling cross-referencing of other papers in the special issue where appropriate.

To propose a special issue, please submit a short (one- to three-page) outline to one of the executive editors (see editorial board) including the following information:

• title of the special issue;
• names, affiliations, and short CVs of the proposed special issue editors. Not more than 4–5 editors should be proposed;
• suggestion of an executive editor or topic editor to accompany the special issue;
• start date and end date of submission. Please choose a start date close to when first submissions are expected;
• a statement of the purpose of the special issue and whether it arises out of a conference;
• at least 10 tentative or confirmed contributions, with title and authors. Please ensure submissions from different groups and ensure that a fair number of manuscripts are independent from the proposed editors;
• any other useful information that will help to evaluate the proposal.

The proposal will be reviewed by the executive editors, who will render a decision based on the expected contribution of the special issue and its appropriateness for SE. Accepted special issues will be assigned an executive editor or topic editor of SE as a corresponding editor. Special issues are in principle open for all submissions within their scope.

Responsibilities of special issue editors

The editors of the special issue will assume the following responsibilities:

• work with the authors to obtain manuscripts of high quality and ensure that authors are aware of the manuscript submission process;
• coordinate a rigorous peer-review process (with at least two independent referees);
• ensure that the English is at a high level;
• work to keep the special issue on schedule and periodically update their corresponding editor on the progress of the special issue.

The special issue editors will act as topic editors and the final decision of manuscript acceptance lies with an executive editor. We thank you for considering to undertake this service to the community.