When an article is submitted via AAJ's Article Submission Form, an editor will select it for editing. This person becomes the Primary Editor, and his/her name can be found at the bottom of the article.

AAJ's editorial policy is aimed at ensuring that these guidelines are followed. It's intent is to be as transparent as possible, retaining both the author's voice and intent. Here's how the editorial process works:

• Once you have submitted your article, you will see UNEDITED DRAFT at the top of the article. This means that the article has not yet been edited, though it is possible that a Primary Editor has been assigned;

• Once a Primary Editor has selected a piece for editing, the article is locked and cannot be edited by anyone else until the Primary Editor releases it for scheduling;

• If you attempt to edit one of your pieces and receive the following message: Sorry, but article name is locked by Primary Editor, then the article has been locked by the Primary Editor and is in the process of being edited;

• If you have changes you wish to make while the article is locked, you can contact the primary editor, whose name is listed at the bottom of the article. Clicking on the name will take you to his/her Contributor Profile page, where you can click the Contact Me link to send an email;

• Once an article has been edited and released for scheduling, it will say EDITED DRAFT at the top. If you see any minor corrections required such as punctuation changes or spelling corrections, you can feel free to edit your article and make such changes;

• If, however, you need to make a more significant alteration/addition/subtraction, please do not simply go in and make changes to your article. We ask that you contact the Primary Editor to let him/her know, so that the alteration can be made without affecting the optics of the article, especially when there are images or chapters involved;

• If you have a problem with an edit that's been made to your piece, again, do not simply make changes to the article. Rather, contact the Primary Editor. AAJ's editorial policy is to be as transparent as possible, but there are rare occasions when this can occur. Please do not make changes without first discussing them with the Primary Editor;

• AAJ reserves the right to reject articles that have been significantly altered by the author after editing, without first consulting the Primary Editor.

A NOTE ABOUT SUBMISSIONS AND THE ARTISTS

AAJ's normal policy is to not permit artists access to articles about them prior to publication. There are very rare circumstances where an artist will insist on seeing a piece prior to publication, as a condition for being interviewed. Under such circumstances please contact Managing Editor John Kelman to discuss before showing any unedited or edited draft to the artist prior to publication.

Next: Closing Thoughts 

last update: June 13, 2008