WRITING FOR THE NAVAL REVIEW
I felt it would be helpful to offer, and to update from time, some guidance which would help intending authors in submitting their material to The Naval Review. Articles
will never be refused solely on the grounds that they do not meet these guidelines but it will be very helpful to the Editor and to the printers, and more importantly assist to keep costs down, if they can be met whenever possible.
The ideal article length is between 2000 and 3500 words, although longer and shorter articles are also quite acceptable, where this is appropriate; all articles are selected for publication on their merits, though longer articles may be published in instalments. Although the Editor is very happy to accept scripts in most formats, his life is made easiest, and the production of the Journal made most timely, efficient, and economic if articles are submitted on A4 sized paper, in one and a half or double spacing, accompanied, if possible, by a disc or CD. This is the preferred format. Articles may also be submitted through the web site, but this is less easy for your Editor who is often separated by other work from his office, computer and printer. It is very helpful if a word count is given as this is something that otherwise has to be done ‘by hand’.
Personal style is of the essence of the Journal and the Editor has no wish to lay down any particular rules. From a presentational perspective however, there are several ‘House Style’ points which are relevant. It is clearly the Editor’s job to get this right. However authors may like to note a few:
Members will be aware that the AE(OL) is compiling a full index of The Naval Review for the web site. It would help this task greatly if authors would provide a 2-3 line summary of their articles (which will be printed as a sub heading to the article, and a collection of keywords (about five or so) to assist indexing and searching.
The Editor is delighted to receive correspondence for publication in any legible form, though his life is made very much easier if it is typed! He reserves the right to edit or shorten them as necessary.
All articles and letters will be acknowledged by post or by email and, where possible, an indication will be given as to whether, and when, they might be published. This will, however, always depend on space, quality and relevance and on the balance of any particular edition, and your Editor must reserve the right to publish material in the Journal, on the web site in consultation with AE(OL), or not at all. Prospective authors may be encouraged to know that a small honorarium is paid for all articles and Reviews I printed (currently this is £10 per page, and is subject to review from time to time). Authors of Reviews II will normally be able to retain the book they have reviewed if they wish. If not, it can be returned to the Book Reviews Editor who can usually sell it to the benefit of The Naval Review.
Finally, the Editor makes a strong presumption in favour of publishing articles from serving officers, and especially from younger officers serving at sea or in other operational capacities. Sometimes ‘older and bolder’ authors may have to give way, or have their publication delayed to allow this presumption to be met.
The ideal article length is between 2000 and 3500 words, although longer and shorter articles are also quite acceptable, where this is appropriate; all articles are selected for publication on their merits, though longer articles may be published in instalments. Although the Editor is very happy to accept scripts in most formats, his life is made easiest, and the production of the Journal made most timely, efficient, and economic if articles are submitted on A4 sized paper, in one and a half or double spacing, accompanied, if possible, by a disc or CD. This is the preferred format. Articles may also be submitted through the web site, but this is less easy for your Editor who is often separated by other work from his office, computer and printer. It is very helpful if a word count is given as this is something that otherwise has to be done ‘by hand’.
Personal style is of the essence of the Journal and the Editor has no wish to lay down any particular rules. From a presentational perspective however, there are several ‘House Style’ points which are relevant. It is clearly the Editor’s job to get this right. However authors may like to note a few:
- All paragraphs should be indented, except for the opening paragraph and the first paragraph after a sub-heading.
- Sub Headings, to break up long texts, often make reading easier.
- Ships’ names should be italicised, eg: HMS Nonpareil
- Abbreviations and acronyms should be avoided if possible. If not, they should be expanded on the first occasion of use, with the abbreviation or acronym in brackets.
- Language should be as simple and jargon free as possible. Short sentences are usually better than long ones. Remember, many of our members are not currently serving officers.
- ‘Quotes’ should be in single quotes. ‘Quotes within “quotes”’ should be in double quotes.
- Numbers up to and including ten should be spelled out; numbers from 11 up should be given in figures. Where normal convention dictates otherwise, eg: 3 Deck, that convention should be followed.
- Sparingly used end notes and bibliographies are often important evidence of the provenance of articles, and to meet normal acknowledgement courtesies. However the Editor reserves the right not to publish them if space or other reasons make this impractical. Bibliographies will not normally be published.
Members will be aware that the AE(OL) is compiling a full index of The Naval Review for the web site. It would help this task greatly if authors would provide a 2-3 line summary of their articles (which will be printed as a sub heading to the article, and a collection of keywords (about five or so) to assist indexing and searching.
The Editor is delighted to receive correspondence for publication in any legible form, though his life is made very much easier if it is typed! He reserves the right to edit or shorten them as necessary.
All articles and letters will be acknowledged by post or by email and, where possible, an indication will be given as to whether, and when, they might be published. This will, however, always depend on space, quality and relevance and on the balance of any particular edition, and your Editor must reserve the right to publish material in the Journal, on the web site in consultation with AE(OL), or not at all. Prospective authors may be encouraged to know that a small honorarium is paid for all articles and Reviews I printed (currently this is £10 per page, and is subject to review from time to time). Authors of Reviews II will normally be able to retain the book they have reviewed if they wish. If not, it can be returned to the Book Reviews Editor who can usually sell it to the benefit of The Naval Review.
Finally, the Editor makes a strong presumption in favour of publishing articles from serving officers, and especially from younger officers serving at sea or in other operational capacities. Sometimes ‘older and bolder’ authors may have to give way, or have their publication delayed to allow this presumption to be met.