Resources for Book Authors and Editors
Content Guidelines
Chapters are to be clear, concise yet comprehensive, and well referenced; they should provide practical information, implications for practice, and identify patient education resources, if appropriate. Chapters focused on treatments that have not yet received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval will not be accepted unless under review by the FDA.
Chapters are accepted for consideration with the understanding that they are contributed solely to this publication, that the material is original, and that the material has not been published previously. All chapters will be reviewed for originality via iThenticate. Chapters found to plagiarize the work of others will be prohibited from publication by the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS). Chapters considered for publication go through peer review.
- Manuscript Preparation
- Manuscript Submission
- Author Resources
Tables: Each should be typed on a separate page at the end of the text.
Figures: Figures should be professionally drawn or computer generated and included on separate pages at the end of the manuscript.
Photographs: High-resolution (300 dpi) black-and-white or color photographs can be submitted electronically in most common file formats.
References: Chapters should be well referenced. If citing older references, include only pertinent, seminal sources. The reference list (not a bibliography) must be typed and double spaced and follow APA format (in text and reference list). Use APA's recommended formats for electronic references. Authors are responsible for the accuracy of all reference citations and are expected to have read and verified all of the listed references.
Authors should do the following when submitting a chapter:
- Include information for all contributing authors.
- Include a title page with names and credentials.
- Complete the contract and COI financial disclosure form, which transfers the chapter's copyright to the Oncology Nursing Society.
- Send permission letters for online and print use for previously published and copyrighted material. If you are unsure if your table or figure requires permission, contact pubpermissions@ons.org.
Review Process: Chapters will undergo a double-blind peer-review process. Reviewers’ comments will be shared with authors. Chapters are subject to editorial revision for clarity, punctuation, grammar, syntax, and conformity to style and length. When necessary, substantive revisions will be done by the author based on feedback from the editor and peer reviewers. The author will have an opportunity to review the final manuscript before publication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question? The author FAQs below are divided by phase of the publishing process. Or, contact us at pubpermissions@ons.org.
Submission
What do I need to include in my submission?
Be sure to review the complete author guidelines first. Then, when you submit, include your chapter and any tables or figures, as well as the following:
- Title page, including names and credentials.
- Permission letters for previously published and copyrighted material.
Is there a limit to the number of authors that can appear on a chapter?
We do not limit the number of authors; however, each author should have participated sufficiently in manuscript preparation. Contributors, such as those who provide technical help, general support, etc., should be listed in an acknowledgement.
Is there a fee to publish?
There are no author or page fees.
Is there a minimum or maximum requirement for tables and figures?
There is no minimum or maximum number of tables and figures within a manuscript. However, tables and figures should not repeat the text and should be critical for understanding. Note that noncritical content may be eliminated for space limitations.
One of my coauthors accidentally declined affiliation. Help!
Contact the acquisitions editor or copy editor who is overseeing your chapter submission.
Production
Why was I asked to provide copyright permissions?
Authors must acquire and provide permissions for all figures and tables they want to use that have been previously published. This includes work created by a colleague, coworker, or friend who gave verbal permission but is not an author. Copyright may be held by a journal, institution, or individual.
A table or figure in my manuscript is original, but I was asked to provide permission when my manuscript entered production. What do I do?
If we cannot definitively determine whether a table or figure is original, we will ask for copyright permission as a precaution. If the content is original, notify the acquisitions editor or copy editor who has contacted you regarding this matter.
How long will I have to respond to queries from the editor and copy editors?
Authors have roughly two weeks to reply but will be provided a specific deadline with the chapter layout. Please adhere to this timeline to avoid delaying publication.
I won’t be available when my manuscript is in production. What if I am late responding to queries?
Please provide us with the dates of your anticipated scheduling conflicts. We may be able to adjust the production schedule to accommodate you.
Can I share my chapter on ResearchGate or similar platforms once it is published?
Authors are not permitted to share the full text of their chapter on any social media or third-party website but may provide links to their online publications. Additionally, a publications promotion packet will be provided to authors by ONS' Integrated Marketing Team.
What does the timeline look like once my chapter enters production?
Timelines can vary but generally look something like this:
Your chapter will be reviewed by a staff copy editor for clarity, punctuation, and accuracy. Depending on the length of your chapter and amount of tables and figures in your chapter, the editing stage may take as long as two to three weeks. During this window, you will be contacted by the copy editor if he or she has any questions about your chapter.
After your responses to possible questions have been recorded and added to the text, the chapter will be put into layout along with the rest of the publication. Again, depending on the size of the chapter and overall manuscript, the length of time varies. Generally, the book will then be proofread by a different staff copy editor over a roughly two-month period. During that time, you may again be asked to resolve any queries from the copy editor.
Finally, when the proofreading step is completed, your book's editor or editors will review the work one more time. Depending on the size of the book, this may be another two- to three-week window. It is possible, although unlikely, that your editor or editors will have additional queries for you during this stage.
After editor review is completed, the book is processed by ONS staff to the printer. You will then receive a post-publication survey and, when the book is printed and in stock, you will be mailed a complimentary copy per your contract.