Volume Editor Role and Responsibilities

Volume Editor

Role

A Volume Editor is named in an accepted book proposal. This person oversees the development and editing of a multi-author work. The Volume Editor is responsible to the Books@Atla Editorial Board and will be assigned an Editorial Board Liaison. The Volume Editor coordinates the work of authors and is the primary point of contact for authors. The Volume Editor is expected to author an introduction for the volume. At the Editorial Board’s discretion, the Volume Editor may author a chapter in the volume.

Responsibilities

  • Finalize the table of contents:
    • If a list of committed contributors is not included in the book proposal, draft a call for chapter proposals and present to the Editorial Board for approval
    • Circulate the board-approved call and recruit potential contributors
    • Review chapter proposals and issue decisions
  • Serve as primary point of contact for authors during the writing stage:
    • Remind authors about Atla’s established deadlines, style guidelines, and submission instructions
    • Provide feedback on outlines and chapter development
    • Refer questions to the Editorial Board Liaison as needed
  • Conduct an initial review of chapter manuscripts:
    • Review drafts and make final decision about inclusion in book
    • Receive and incorporate early feedback on the volume from the Editorial Board Liaison
    • Provide further developmental editing to authors as needed
  • Edit all chapters (except those written by self):
    • Attend to organization, grammar, and style
    • Check all citations for accuracy and consistency with Chicago Manual of Style Author-Date format
    • Use track changes and document comments to communicate editorial suggestions and corrections to authors
    • Organize multiple rounds of editor and author review as needed
    • Refer questions and author challenges to editorial recommendations to Editorial Board Liaison as needed
  • Hand off clean, error-free chapter manuscripts to Atla staff by the agreed-upon deadline
  • Participate in the cover design process
    • Prepare content for the back cover of the book in collaboration with the Editorial Board Liaison
  • Participate in the Editorial Board’s review of page proofs
  • Prepare a draft announcement of publication in collaboration with the editorial board liaison
  • Identify review outlets in coordination with the editorial board liaison