Submission online

Submitting your manuscript

Now that your files are ready, visit the American Literary History online submission web site.

1. First, you will need to log into the system. Note: Before you begin, you should be sure you are using Version 4.0 or higher of Netscape or Internet Explorer. If you have an earlier version, you can download a free upgrade using the icons found at the bottom of the ‘Instructions and Forms’ section of the online submission web site.
   • If you know your login details, (i.e. you have submitted or reviewed a manuscript on this system before) use your User ID and Password to log on.
   • If you are unsure about whether or not you have an account, or have forgotten your password, enter your e-mail address into the "Password Help" section. If you do not have an account, click on the "Create Account" link at the top of the screen.
   • If you have trouble finding manuscripts or have other problems with your account do not create another account. Instead, please contact the Journal's Editor([email protected]).
2. To submit a new manuscript, go to the ‘Author Centre’, choose ‘Submit a Manuscript’ and then follow the on-screen instructions. There are up to 7 steps for you to follow to submit your manuscript. You move from one step to the next by clicking on the ‘Save and Continue’ button on each screen or back to the previous screen by clicking on the 'Previous' button. Please note that if you click on the ‘Back’ or ‘Forward’ button on your browser, the information you have entered will not be saved. At any stage you can stop the submission process by clicking on the ‘Main Menu’ button Everything you have typed into the system will be saved, and the partially completed submission will appear under ‘unsubmitted manuscripts’ in your ‘Author Centre’. To return to the submission process you will need to click on the button ‘Continue Submission’ against the relevant manuscript title.
3. When submitting your manuscript, please enter your manuscript data into the relevant fields, following the detailed instructions given at the top of each page.
4. When you come to upload your manuscript files via the ‘File Upload’ screen:
   • Enter individual files using the ‘Browse’ buttons below and select the appropriate ‘File content’ type.
   • Select the document's designation from the pull-down menu.Your manuscript text should be the ‘Main Document’.
   • Upload your files by clicking on the ‘Upload files’ button. This converts your files to a PDF and may take several minutes. Repeat these steps until you have uploaded all your files.
   • When the upload of each file is completed, you will see a confirmation window and will be prompted to provide figure legends and ‘file tags’ that will link figures to texts in the HTML proof of your main document.
   • If you have more than one file, indicate the order in which they should appear in your paper. This will determine the order in which they appear in the consolidated PDF used for peer review.
   • After the successful upload of your text and images, you will need to view and proof your manuscript. Please do this by clicking on the blue HTML button or a PDF button.
   • If the files have not been uploaded to your satisfaction, go back to the file upload screen where you can remove the files you do not want, and repeat the upload process.
5. When you are satisfied with the uploaded manuscript proof click on ‘Next’ which will take you to the ‘Review & Submit’ screen. The system will check that you have completed all the mandatory fields and that you have viewed your manuscript proof. It will also present you with a summary of all the information you have provided and give you a final chance to edit it. When you have finished reviewing this information press ‘Submit’.
6. After the manuscript has been submitted you will see a confirmation screen. If you do not see this, your manuscript will not have been successfully submitted to the journal and the paper cannot progress to peer review. If this is the case your manuscript will still be sitting in the ‘Unsubmitted Manuscripts’ section of your ‘Author Centre’ awaiting your attention. When the editorial office has seen your submission, you will receive an email confirmation.
7. If you return to your ‘Author Centre’ you will notice that your newly submitted manuscript can be found in the ‘Submitted Manuscripts’ area. Among the information listed there, the ‘Processing Status’ section provides information on the status of your manuscript as it moves through the review process.

Submitting a revised version of an accepted manuscript

1. Log on to the web site online submission web site as before and, in the ‘Author Centre’, click on ‘click here to submit a revised manuscript’ . Choose the correct manuscript from your list and click on ‘create a revision’.

2. On the first page you will see the editor’s letter to you. You will be asked to respond to the decision letter. You may cut and paste your responses into the text areas at the bottom of the screen. Continue with your submission and upload your revised files as before.

Resubmitting a revised version of a rejected manuscript

1. Log on to the online submission website as before and, in the ‘Author Center’, click on ‘Manuscripts with Decisions’. Scroll down to the list of manuscripts and click on ‘create a resubmission’ for the relevant article.

2. The system will upload the information from the original submission and invite you to respond to the decision letter and reports.

3. You can now upload the revised version of your article following the same steps as for your original submission.

4. After the manuscript has been submitted you will see a confirmation screen. If you do not see this, your manuscript will not have been successfully submitted to the journal and the paper cannot progress to peer review. If this is the case your manuscript will still be sitting in the ‘Unsubmitted Manuscripts’ section of your ‘Author Centre’ awaiting your attention. When the editorial office has seen your submission, you will receive an email confirmation.

Getting help

If you experience any problems during the online submission process please consult the Author's User Guide which provides more detailed submission instructions, and ‘movie tutorials’ explaining how to submit your paper. Alternatively, please contact the Journal’s Editor ([email protected]).