Editing and Production: Time Frame and Process
The MLA aims to publish volumes within eighteen months of submission, although time to publication varies, especially for complicated volumes. Below, we list what to expect after volume editors submit a final manuscript for publication.
1. Acquisitions Review
The acquisitions editor reviews the entire manuscript carefully for permissions and art issues and to assess whether any changes requested by the Publications Committee have been made.
What you can do to ensure this stage goes quickly:
- obtain permission for all items requiring it before submitting the manuscript and provide documentation
- make all changes requested by the Publications Committee
2. Copyediting
The volume is then sent to the editorial unit, and a copyeditor is assigned. The copyeditor will project manage all stages of editing and production for the volume.
What you can do to ensure this stage goes quickly:
- follow MLA style for all documentation in the manuscript
- format the manuscript according to MLA specifications
3. Author Review
Volume editors receive the copyedited manuscript and distribute essays to contributors for review. Contributors are asked to review the copyediting and answer all queries posed by the copyeditor. This is the last opportunity for contributors to make corrections. Contributors return essays to the volume editor, who reviews and collates all the corrections. The copyeditor then reviews the manuscript and follows up with the volume editor about any pending or additional queries.
What editors and contributors can do to ensure this stage goes quickly:
- meet the review deadline
- answer all queries
- send your corrections in one batch
- make any required substantive changes now, to avoid delays at page proofs
4. Composition
The volume is then reviewed by our production staff for any formatting, design, and composition issues and sent for composition.
5. Page Proofs
When page proofs arrive, they are sent to volume editors and a proofreader. The original copyeditor then collates and adjudicates all corrections and resolves any outstanding queries. What editors can do to ensure this stage goes quickly:
- meet the proofreading deadline
- make text corrections for errors and typos only
6. Internal Review
The editorial staff reviews subsequent rounds of corrected proofs until there are no outstanding corrections, and the volume goes to press.
7. Printing and Binding
The volume is printed, bound, checked by MLA staff, and shipped to the warehouse for distribution. The e-book version is proofread and checked.