Being a small press, NAEYC can move only so many projects through our publishing process at one time. Some accepted manuscripts we schedule for immediate editing/production, but most will be scheduled 12–18 months in advance. Once scheduled, a simple project might take just a few months to edit and put through production; more complex projects will take longer.
Each project is different, and once your individual project is scheduled we will give you a timetable for it specifically.
Below are the stages every manuscript goes through. How long each stage might last in your case will vary depending on the condition, length, and complexity of your manuscript; whether NAEYC’s editors and production staff are juggling other projects at the same time; and how responsive you are to queries, revisions, and proofs sent to you.
Proposal |
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Manuscript Development |
As part of submitting your proposal, you will have written some significant portion, perhaps all, of the manuscript and sent it for review by NAEYC’s editors and outside experts and peer reviewers. If your experience is typical, your proposal/manuscript may have gone through one or more cycles of review-revision-review before being accepted.
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Manuscript Package |
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Finishing Your Manuscript
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If you submitted a partial manuscript with your proposal, you will finish writing it now, incorporating any feedback we sent you. Review and follow the guidance in Style Guide. If you submitted a complete manuscript with your proposal, we still would like you to follow the guidance in Style Guide, so please revisit your manuscript now and do any needed revising and/or reformatting.
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Send a Complete Project Package |
Follow the instructions in Sending Your Project Package. Incomplete packages result in delays until missing elements arrive.
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Editorial Work |
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Revisions |
Once it arrives in NAEYC’s Books Department, your manuscript is read closely to assess its readiness for production. We previously may have discussed with you ideas for enhancing the manuscript’s usefulness and impact, and there will be further discussion now—about what needs to be done and whether you will undertake the needed work or we will, subject to your approval.
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Copyediting |
The manuscript is copyedited for format, factual accuracy, and writing style, including correct and consistent grammar and punctuation, clarity, active voice, and the like.
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Review of Editorial Work |
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Author Review |
How much and what kind of editorial work your manuscript requires will determine what kinds of edited material we ask you to review. When we send you material to review:
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A Word on Editing
As an advocacy organization, NAEYC takes positions on issues regarding the care and education of young children. Those positions are expressed explicitly in our public position statements and are expected to inform all of the Association’s work, including the publications it publishes. Readers look to NAEYC for professional materials that reflect the best current knowledge in the early childhood field, and that support the principles and practices that NAEYC advocates—e.g., developmentally appropriate practice.
Further, they expect NAEYC’s materials to be written in a clear and accessible writing style to meet the reading needs of a diverse audience that includes university faculty members, classroom teachers, college students, child care administrators and staff, and families. NAEYC thoroughly edits every manuscript it publishes to meet all these expectations.
Actual publication of an accepted project is always conditional on a final, edited manuscript that NAEYC judges to be complete and acceptable in form and in content.
- Form: Edits for correctness, accuracy, consistency, style, and format are our prerogative as publisher. But we’re glad to discuss our rationale if you see something in this regard that you find problematic.
- Content: Substantive changes to content call for more collaboration with you. But we always edit with a purpose. If you disagree with an editorial change, work with us to find a better one. Together we’re sure to come up with a solution we’re all satisfied with.
Production |
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Design Page Layout
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While you and NAEYC’s editors are working on the text, NAEYC’s production staff are working on cover and interior design. Once editorial work is complete, the manuscript goes to page layout, to be formatted in the design NAEYC has developed. At this stage, any artwork, figures, tables, or other visual elements are incorporated into the layout.
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Page Proofs
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Page proofs are generated, and we check them carefully for problems or errors. We may also send you a set of page proofs to scrutinize. Typically, this is the last stage that might require your time and attention.
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Page Corrections |
We incorporate all corrections into the final layout. |
Manufacturing |
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Printing
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The completed project is sent to the printer. About midway, we receive and check a final printer’s proof. |
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Delivery
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When the publication is delivered from the printer, we send you your complimentary copies and begin shipping to waiting readers. |
Download all 5 of the Guidelines for Writing a Manuscript (PDF).
