From the conception of a book or a journal, to the submission of an article or review, along the publication journey at Springer Nature multiple employees are available to guide authors through the process, answer their questions and provide the best possible finished product. Here we depict a few examples for you.

Story of a book

  • Publishing strategy

    Publishing strategy

    Commissioning Editors, Publishing Editors, and Publishers develop a data driven strategy for commissioning interesting topics within a given subject area. Editors, Publishing Editors, and Publishers contact a potential author inviting them to write a book.

  • Submission

    Submission

    A proposal is received from an author, containing a summary and 2-3 sample chapters, if available.

  • Peer review

    Peer review

    Editorial Assistants or Publishing Editors organise peer review of the proposal. This involves sending the proposal to selected experts for assessment.

  • Editorial decision

    Editorial decision

    Once the reviews of the proposal are received, Commissioning Editors, Publishing Editors, and Publishers make a decision on whether the project is suitable for publication.

  • Preparation for publication

    Preparation for publication

    A contract for publication is organised, Editorial Assistants or Publishing Editors are the main contact for authors during this time and post-publication. The Editorial Assistant  write the editorial blurb and works with design colleagues to develop a cover and website for the book.

  • Revisision and peer review

    Revisision and peer review

    Once the full book version is received the Editorial Assistant or Publishing Editor may organise an additional round of peer review.

  • Production

    Production

    Editorial checks are carried out and a handover documents is passed onto our Production Department.

Story of a journal with in-house editors

  • Publishing Project

    Publishing Project

    The publishing team carries out market research to determine the scope for a new journal.

  • New Journal Strategy

    New Journal Strategy

    Liaising with Marketing, Production and Sales departments, the publishing and editorial teams develop a strategy for the journal.

  • Submission

    Submission

    An author submits an article or commissioned review to the journal via our online manuscript tracking system.

  • Quality check and assignment

    Quality check and assignment

    An Editorial Assistant carries out brief quality checks on manuscripts. Manuscripts are assigned to a Chief Editor or Associate Editor at the journal.

  • Initial editorial decision

    Initial editorial decision

    Chief Editors and Associate Editors assess articles and reviews with regards to their scope, interest and meeting an editorial threshold, determining their suitability for publication in the journal.

  • Peer review

    Peer review

    Chief Editors and Associate Editors assess articles and reviews with regards to their scope, interest and meeting an editorial threshold, determining their suitability for publication in the journal.

  • Editorial decision

    Editorial decision

    Chief Editors and Associate Editors discuss the reports from the external experts and decide whether to invite a revised version. These editors communicate decisions and may provide advice to authors.

  • Revision and peer review

    Revision and peer review

    Authors submit a revised article or review, which undergoes initial checks by Editorial Assistants. Chief Editors and Associate Editors assess the revised versions and may initiate another round of peer review.

  • Final editorial decision

    Final editorial decision

    The author submits a final revised version. The Editorial Assistant and Associate Editors carry out checks on the manuscript or review and associated legal files.

  • Production

    Production

    The article or review is passed to the Production Department; then is copyedited, typeset, and formatted.

  • Publication

    Publication

    The authors are informed of publication and are provided with a link to share their article or review via SharedIt. If appropriate the Press Office issues a press release.

  • After publication

    After publication

    A Publishing Assistant collates data on the impact a paper has in the scientific community.

Story of a journal with in-house editors and Editorial Board Members

  • The Publishing Team

    The Publishing Team

    A Publisher, responsible for the commercial success, strategic development and reputation of the journal portfolio, develops and implements strategic goals, ensuring that these are in line with the goals of Springer Nature. The journals are headed by an in-house Editor or Executive Editor. An Editor may oversee more than one journal.

  • Submission

    Submission

    An author submits a manuscript to the journal via our online manuscript tracking system and selects a suitable Academic Section Head.

  • Quality check and assignment

    Quality check and assignment

    For some journals a Manuscript Assistant will perform initial checks. An Academic Section Head, Editor or a Publishing Assistant assigns the paper to an Academic Section Editor or Editorial Board Member.

  • Initial decision

    Initial decision

    Academic Section Editors may assess manuscripts with regards to their scope, interest and meeting an editorial threshold, determining their suitability for publication in the journal.

  • Peer review

    Peer review

    Academic Section Editors or Editorial Board Members select and invite external experts. Assistant Editors may help with peer review.

  • Decision

    Decision

    Reports from the external experts are discussed and a decision whether to invite a revised version is made. Decisions are overseen by an Editor, Assistant Editor or Publishing Assistant.

  • Revision and peer review

    Revision and peer review

    Authors submit a revised manuscript and the Section Heads, Section Editors or Editorial Board Members assess the revised manuscript and may initiate another round of peer review.

  • Decision

    Decision

    Section Heads, Section Editors and Associate Editors discuss the reports from the external experts. Once satisfied with the revised manuscript, the Editor, Assistant Editor or Publishing Assistant advise the authors on how to prepare their manuscript for publication.

  • Final decision

    Final decision

    The author submits a final revised manuscript. Assistant Editors and Publishing Assistants check the final version of the manuscript for compliance with our editorial policies.

  • Production

    Production

    The manuscript is passed to the Production Department. The paper is copyedited and typeset, and formatted into an article.

Story of a feature article

  • Propose an article

    Propose an article

    A Reporter, Associate Editor or Senior Editor proposes a feature article

  • Discuss

    Discuss

    The proposal is discussed within the editorial team, including Reporters, Associate Editors, Senior Editors and their managers

  • Investigation

    Investigation

    The reporter investigates the topic and writes the feature.

  • Approval

    Approval

    The story is edited by a Senior Editor and the final piece is approved by the Chief Magazine Editor.

  • Finalise

    Finalise

    The Reporter liaises with the Creative Director, Production, Art and Multi-media departments to finalise the presentation of the story for our digital and print platforms.