Publication Guidelines

Introduction

Welcome to Editorial Cuadernos de Sofía SPA, RUT: 77.649.795-9, a First Category Company recognized by the State of Chile and registered with the Chilean Book Chamber, located at Avenida Libertad 269, Office 904, Viña del Mar, Chile. Our goal is to facilitate the publication of academic and professional books with high-quality standards, combining the academic rigor of university presses with the efficiency of commercial publishing. These guidelines detail the steps to submit your proposal, prepare your manuscript, and participate in our editorial process, which includes peer review options and flexibility in citation style. Once you identify your book’s theme, you can select the most suitable Editorial Imprint or Scientific Journal for your work.

Objective: Publish high-quality books within 6–12 months, maintaining academic rigor and offering authors flexibility in aspects such as citation style and manuscript structure.

Contact: For inquiries, contact us at editorial@cuadernosdesofia.com.

1. Proposal Submission

To publish with Editorial Cuadernos de Sofía, start by submitting a proposal detailing your book and its academic relevance.

Proposal Requirements

  • Format: Submit your proposal in Word or PDF via our online portal at https://books.cuadernosdesofia.com.
  • Content (maximum 5 pages, excluding sample chapters):
    • Abstract: Describe the topic, objectives, and contributions of the book (maximum 500 words).
    • Table of Contents: Include chapter titles and a brief description of each (1–2 sentences).
    • Target Audience: Specify the readers (e.g., academics, professionals, students, general public) and potential market (regional, global).
    • Competitive Analysis: Compare your book with 2–3 similar works, explaining how it differs (maximum 300 words).
    • Author Credentials: Include a brief CV (1 page) with ORCID, institutional affiliation, relevant publications, and expertise in the topic.
    • Sample Text: Submit 1–2 representative chapters (maximum 50 pages).
    • Proposed Citation Style: Indicate the citation style you will use (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago, Vancouver) and justify its choice based on your discipline.
  • Metadata:
    • Provisional title, discipline, keywords (5–10), publication language(s) (e.g., Spanish, English).
    • Indicate if the book is individual, collective (e.g., anthology), or part of a series.

Example:

  • Title: “Public Policy in North America: Innovative Models for Citizen Participation”
  • Abstract: “This book proposes a novel framework for citizen participation in public policy, based on case studies from the United States and Canada.”
  • Audience: Political science academics, policymakers, graduate students.
  • Citation: APA, standard in social sciences.

Evaluation Process

  • Initial Review: A Content Editor evaluates your proposal within 2–3 weeks, considering academic rigor and relevance to the academic community.
  • Initial Contact: Within 24 hours of submitting your proposal, you will be contacted by the Editor-in-Chief to coordinate and review initial documentation.
  • Response: Within 2–3 weeks, you will receive feedback for manuscript adjustments. As we have multidisciplinary scientific journals, we can accept any type of content.

2. Manuscript Preparation

Once the proposal is approved, prepare and submit the complete manuscript. During this stage, you will be supported by an editor from our press to ensure the text’s quality and consistency.

Manuscript Requirements

  • General Format:
    • File in Word, PDF, or LaTeX (the latter for exact sciences).
    • Double-spaced, legible font (Times New Roman or Arial, 12 pt), 2.5 cm margins.
    • Numbered pages, with chapter title on each page.
    • Typical length: 100–400 pages (excluding bibliography and appendices).
  • Structure:
    • Title Page: Title, author(s) name(s), ORCID, institutional affiliation.
    • Abstract: 200–300 words, in the primary language and, if applicable, a second language (e.g., English).
    • Table of Contents: With chapter and subchapter titles.
    • Body Text: Numbered chapters, with introduction, development, and conclusion.
    • Bibliography: Complete reference list, separate from the text (can be completed in later stages).
    • Appendices (optional): Tables, graphs, datasets, with clear FAIR-compliant metadata (can be adjusted in later stages).
    • Acknowledgments (optional): Mentions of collaborators, reviewers, or editors, if desired (can be added in later stages).
  • Note: Sections like Bibliography, Appendices, and Acknowledgments can be completed or adjusted in later stages of the editorial process, once the main content is approved.

Citation Style:

  • Flexibility: You may choose the citation style best suited to your discipline (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago, Vancouver, Harvard, AMA). Indicate your choice in the proposal and maintain consistency throughout the manuscript. In the Premium package, our team will adjust up to 300 citations to the chosen style, ensuring compliance with official guidelines.
  • Common Options:
    • APA: Social sciences, psychology, education (APA Publication Manual).
    • MLA: Literature, arts, humanities (MLA Handbook).
    • Chicago: Humanities (notes and bibliography) or social sciences (author-date) (Chicago Manual of Style).
    • Vancouver: Medicine, health sciences (ICMJE Guidelines).
    • Harvard: Social sciences, business.
    • Other specific styles (e.g., AIP for physics, IEEE for engineering) are acceptable with justification.
  • Requirements: Follow the official guide for the chosen style. Our Copy Editor will verify consistency during editing, with professional adjustment in the Premium package.

Example:

  • APA: (Smith, 2020, p. 45); Bibliography: Smith, J. (2020). Public Policy in North America. New York: Academic Press.
  • Chicago (notes): John Smith, Public Policy in North America (New York: Academic Press, 2020), 45.

Languages:

  • We accept manuscripts in Spanish, English, Portuguese, and other in-demand languages (e.g., French, German). Specify the primary language and, if you desire multilingual publication, include it in the proposal.

Figures and Tables:

  • Include graphs, images, or tables in separate files (JPEG, PNG, Excel, etc.), with a minimum resolution of 300 dpi.
  • Number and title each element (e.g., “Figure 1: Citizen Participation Model”).
  • Provide permissions for third-party images, if applicable.
  • Flexibility: You can submit figures and tables in their current format (e.g., screenshots, PowerPoint drafts). Our design team will modify them or provide feedback to meet publication standards.

Metadata:

  • Include ORCID, keywords (5–10), and an abstract in structured metadata (uploaded to the portal).
  • If datasets are included, they must comply with FAIR (accessible, with clear metadata).

Manuscript Example:

  • Title: “Public Policy in North America: Innovative Models for Citizen Participation”
  • Structure: Title page, abstract (English and Spanish), table of contents, 8 chapters, bibliography (APA), 2 appendices (data tables).
  • Citation: APA, with 50 consistent references, professionally adjusted.
  • Length: 250 pages, including 5 figures and 3 tables.
  • Cover: In Academic, a standard pre-designed cover selected by the author (e.g., blue geometric design).

3. Editorial Process

Our editorial process ensures academic quality and publication within 6–12 months. It includes optional peer review, professional editing, and global distribution. We use Open Monograph Press (OMP), an open-source platform from the Public Knowledge Project (PKP), to manage the editorial process in a simple and guided manner, from proposal to publication, optimizing quality, visibility, and citability.

OMP Benefits:

  • Editorial Management: Upload your proposal, track your manuscript’s status (review, editing, publication), and receive notifications in an intuitive dashboard.
  • Robust Metadata: Generate structured metadata (DOI, ORCID, keywords) compatible with Google Scholar and Crossref, maximizing citability.
  • Global Distribution: Facilitates open access publication (PDF, EPUB, HTML) and export to Amazon, Ingram, and libraries.
  • Analytics: Provides impact metrics (downloads, citations) accessible to authors in the Professional and Premium packages, enhancing visibility.
  • Multilingual Support: Manages books in Spanish, English, Portuguese, and other languages, reflecting our flexibility.

How It Works:

  • Upon submitting your proposal via https://books.cuadernosdesofia.com, a file is created in OMP.
  • The Editor-in-Chief will contact you within 24 hours, and the process (review, editing, publication) will be managed on the platform.
  • You will receive an access dashboard to monitor your book, with updates at each stage.

3.1. Peer Review Models

  1. Hybrid Model

    • Reviewer Selection:
      • The author proposes 1–2 reviewers from their network (with ORCID, institutional email, and no conflicts of interest, verified by the publisher).
      • Editorial Cuadernos de Sofía provides 1–2 independent external reviewers from our expert network.
    • Evaluation:
      • Reviewers assess originality, scientific rigor, clarity, and relevance within 4–8 weeks, using our standardized evaluation guideline (based on COPE).
      • The author receives consolidated reports and has 4 weeks to make revisions, with support from the Content Editor.

  2. Full Traditional Model

    • Reviewer Selection:
      • The publisher selects 2–3 independent external reviewers, ensuring disciplinary diversity and no conflicts of interest.
    • Evaluation:
      • Reviewers assess the same criteria (originality, rigor, clarity, relevance) within 4–8 weeks, using the same standardized guideline.
      • The author receives consolidated reports and has 4 weeks for revisions, with support from the Content Editor.
    • Ideal for: Authors without an extensive network of contacts (e.g., postgraduate students) or those who prefer a fully external process.

Approval and Certification

  • The revised manuscript is submitted to the Editorial Committee (3–5 independent members), which meets biweekly and issues a decision within 2–3 weeks.
  • Upon approval, the author receives a digitally signed Editorial Certificate, detailing the review model, evaluated criteria, and anonymous reviewers (without identifying names).

Transparency and Standards

  • All reviewers are external, with verified credentials (ORCID, institutional affiliation).
  • The peer review process is single-anonymised, following the STM Peer Review Taxonomy and COPE guidelines. For books in which complete anonymisation of the manuscript is operationally feasible and the author expressly requests it at the outset of the process, double-anonymised review may be applied on an exceptional basis.
  • No opt-outs are allowed; if the manuscript does not pass the review, detailed feedback is provided for future improvements.
  • Total time: 3–6 months, depending on the manuscript's complexity.

This process ensures that each book meets quality standards, guaranteeing peer review for academic books and compatibility with ORCID, Dublin Core, and open access licenses (CC BY).

3.2. Editing and Production

  • Development Editing: A Development Editor refines structure, arguments, and tone (2–4 weeks).
  • Copy Editing: A Copy Editor corrects grammar, style, and citations, ensuring consistency in the chosen style (1–2 weeks).
  • Production:
    • Proofreading, with your final review (1–2 weeks).
    • Audiobook and QR codes with analytics.
  • Time: 1–3 months.

3.3. Publication and Distribution

  • Formats: Open access (PDF, EPUB, HTML) with DOI and 10-year hosting, plus print-on-demand option.
  • Indexing: Google Scholar and Crossref, as eligible. Editorial Cuadernos de Sofía ensures maximum visibility in global academic databases.
  • Distribution: Global via platforms like Amazon, Ingram, and libraries.
  • Time: 1–2 months.
  • Legal Deposit: We guide you to comply with regulations in your country (e.g., 2 copies in Mexico, 4 in Chile).

3.4. Editor Accreditation

  • Content Editor: Credited as “Edited by: [Editor’s Name]” on the credits page and technical sheet, with ORCID if applicable.
  • Reviewers: Documented in the Editorial Certificate, but not in the book, unless mentioned in acknowledgments with your approval.
  • Compilers (collective books): Credited as “Compiled by: [Compiler’s Name]” on the cover.
  • Process: You can propose an academic editor with ORCID and institutional email, or use our internal team.

4. Standards and Policies

Our guidelines ensure quality, transparency, and compliance with international standards.

4.1. Academic Standards

  • Rigor: Peer review or internal editorial review ensures quality.
  • Metadata: ORCID, DOI, ISBN, and keywords ensure traceability and citability.
  • Open Access: 10-year hosting, renewable, complying with Open Science.
  • Certificates:
    • Elite: Verifies compliance with FAIR, ORCID, GDPR, CARE, DORA, ISO 27001, verifiable at verify.talabre.com.
    • Editorial: Recognizes publication and review, signed by the Committee and reviewers (if applicable).

4.2. Intellectual Property Rights

Your writing, book, or thesis-memory will be protected under your ownership in over 180 countries signatory to international copyright treaties, such as the Berne Convention, without the need for additional registration. Formal registration can be done in countries where necessary for additional legal benefits.

4.3. Editorial Ethics

Editorial Cuadernos de Sofía is committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards at all stages of the editorial process, ensuring the integrity and transparency of our publications.

4.3.1. Plagiarism

  • We use Crossref’s Similarity Check, powered by iThenticate, to verify the originality of each manuscript. Authors guarantee that their work is original and does not infringe on third-party rights.

4.3.2. Conflict of Interest

  • Editorial Cuadernos de Sofía ensures impartiality in the editorial process through a rigorous conflict of interest policy. Editors, authors, and reviewers must sign a Consent of Absence of Conflict of Interest before starting the review, declaring the absence of personal, financial, or professional interests that could influence their judgment. If a conflict arises during the process, it is reported to the Editor-in-Chief, who evaluates and resolves it within 5–10 business days, with measures such as reassignment or supervision. All conflicts are recorded in Open Monograph Press (OMP). See the full policy at https://books.cuadernosdesofia.com/index.php/ecds/conflictos-interes.

4.3.3. Confidentiality

  • The manuscript and all related information remain confidential during the editorial process, accessible only to the authorized editorial team, assigned reviewers, and the Author.

4.4. Retraction and Correction Policy

Editorial Cuadernos de Sofía is committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards, following international ethical principles. Our simple and guided policy ensures that any errors or ethical issues are addressed transparently.

1. Corrections If minor errors (e.g., typos, incorrect data, citation formatting) are identified after publication, Editorial Cuadernos de Sofía:

  • Publishes a correction on the book’s page at https://books.cuadernosdesofia.com, detailing the changes.
  • Updates digital files (PDF, EPUB, HTML) with the corrected version, maintaining the original DOI.
  • Notifies distribution platforms (Amazon, Ingram) and indexing databases (Google Scholar, Crossref) about the correction.
  • Informs the Author within 5 business days, allowing their review before the correction is published.

2. Retractions In serious cases, such as plagiarism, data falsification, or ethical violations, Editorial Cuadernos de Sofía may retract a work:

  • The retraction is published at https://books.cuadernosdesofia.com, explaining the reasons (e.g., “Plagiarism detected via Crossref Similarity Check”).
  • The book remains accessible in open access but with a watermark or clear “Retracted” note.
  • All distribution platforms and indexing databases are notified of the retraction.
  • The Author is informed within 5 business days and has 10 days to appeal (see Appeal Process).

3. Procedure

  • Errors or ethical issues can be reported by the Author, readers, or detected by Editorial Cuadernos de Sofía.
  • The Editorial Committee reviews the case within 10–15 business days, consulting the Author and, if applicable, external reviewers.
  • Decisions are communicated to the Author in writing, with a detailed report.
  • All corrections and retractions are recorded in the Editorial Certificate, updated at verify.talabre.com.

4. Contact To report errors or request information, contact us at editorial@cuadernosdesofia.com or via https://cuadernosdesofia.com. Editorial Cuadernos de Sofía ensures an ethical and transparent process, protecting the integrity of your work and the academic community.

4.5. Personal Data Policy

Editorial Cuadernos de Sofía protects authors’ personal data in accordance with Chile’s Law 19.628 on Personal Data Protection and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for authors outside Chile. Our simple and guided process ensures the security and privacy of your information.

1. Data Collected We collect data provided by the Author, including:

  • Full name, ORCID, institutional affiliation, email, address.
  • Book metadata (title, keywords, abstract).
  • Payment information (PayPal transaction ID, no sensitive banking data).

2. Data Use Data is used exclusively for:

  • Managing the editorial process (proposal, review, publication).
  • Generating certificates (Elite, Editorial) and metadata (DOI, ORCID).
  • Communicating updates (e.g., Editor-in-Chief contact within 24 hours).
  • Complying with legal requirements (legal deposit, indexing).

3. Security

  • Data is stored on secure servers, with access restricted to authorized personnel.
  • Digital signatures are managed via Talabre, compliant with GDPR and ISO 27001.
  • We do not share data with third parties, except for distribution (e.g., Amazon, Ingram) or indexing (Google Scholar, Crossref), with the Author’s consent.

4. Author Rights The Author can:

  • Access, rectify, or delete their data by contacting editorial@cuadernosdesofia.com.
  • Request a copy of collected data in a structured format.
  • File complaints with their country’s data protection authority (e.g., Spanish Data Protection Agency, Chile’s Council for Transparency).

5. Contact For inquiries about your data, write to editorial@cuadernosdesofia.com or visit https://cuadernosdesofia.com. Editorial Cuadernos de Sofía ensures ethical and secure data handling, aligned with international best practices.

4.6. Formal Appeal Process

Editorial Cuadernos de Sofía is committed to making fair and transparent editorial decisions. If the Author disagrees with a decision (e.g., proposal/manuscript rejection, retraction), they can submit an appeal through a simple and guided process, ensuring fairness.

1. Appeal Submission The Author must send an email to editorial@cuadernosdesofia.com within 15 business days of receiving the decision, including:

  • Description of the contested decision (e.g., “Proposal rejection on 05/10/2025”).
  • Reasons for the appeal, with evidence or arguments (e.g., “I believe my proposal meets the academic rigor criteria”).
  • Relevant documents (e.g., proposal, review reports).

2. Appeal Review

  • The Editor-in-Chief assigns the appeal to a subcommittee of the Editorial Committee (2–3 members, excluding those who made the original decision) within 5 business days.
  • The subcommittee reviews the appeal within 10–15 business days, considering:
    • Compliance with Publication Guidelines.
    • Academic quality and relevance of the work.
    • Objectivity of the original decision.
  • If necessary, an independent external reviewer is consulted.

3. Decision

  • The subcommittee issues a final written decision, confirming, modifying, or reversing the original decision.
  • The Author is notified within 20 business days of the appeal submission.
  • The decision is recorded in the book’s editorial file, accessible at verify.talabre.com.

4. Contact For appeals or inquiries, write to editorial@cuadernosdesofia.com or visit https://cuadernosdesofia.com. Editorial Cuadernos de Sofía ensures a fair and transparent process, aligned with editorial best practices.

4.7. Diversity and Inclusion Policy

Editorial Cuadernos de Sofía is committed to diversity and inclusion in the editorial process. Our simple and guided policy ensures that authors, reviewers, and editors represent a wide range of perspectives, genders, regions, and cultural contexts, fostering an equitable and enriching environment.

1. Principles

  • Inclusion: We invite authors from any discipline, language, or socioeconomic context to publish, with affordable pricing and multilingual support (Spanish, English, Portuguese, among others).
  • Diversity in Reviewers and Editors: We prioritize selecting reviewers and editors from different institutions, countries, and genders, ensuring varied perspectives and avoiding bias.
  • Equity: We guarantee a fair editorial process, with transparent appeals (see Appeal Process) and ethical policies protecting all involved.

2. Implementation

  • Reviewer Selection: In the hybrid peer review model, proposed and external reviewers must come from institutions different from the Author’s, preferably from different countries, to ensure diversity.
  • Editorial Committee: Includes members from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, with a commitment to gender balance and regional representation.
  • Author Support: We offer accessible editorial support, with Editor-in-Chief contact within 24 hours and resources in multiple languages, to assist authors from diverse contexts.
  • Open Access: Our free hosting model promotes equitable access to knowledge, benefiting global academic communities.

3. Contact If you have suggestions to improve our diversity and inclusion policy, contact us at editorial@cuadernosdesofia.com or visit https://cuadernosdesofia.com. Editorial Cuadernos de Sofía fosters an inclusive editorial process, aligned with the values of the global academic community.