Submissions

Now Accepting Synopsis Submissions for Potential Publication in Volume 16
Apply by February 7, 2024 at noon: Synopsis Application

Multi-stage, Peer-reviewed Process

Submit a synopsis to be considered for publication
- 6 free-response questions
- Reviewed by 2 board members and 1 faculty member
- Gauging general interest nature of the submission and quality of writing
- Cover artwork ideas also accepted at this stage (no artwork needed)
If synopsis is accepted, invited to submit a full manuscript
- 3,000 words or less, written for a general audience
- Looking for interesting, engaging, and novel research
- Cover artwork submissions must be accompanied by artwork at this stage
- Reviewed by 2 board members and 1 faculty member
If full manuscript is accepted, assigned to a team of personal peer-editors
- Refine research and writing, limiting disciplinary jargon
- Check references, finalize visuals
- Format article for Explorations journal style
Submit final manuscript and required forms/approvals
- Secure approval from faculty advisor
- Copyright agreement
- Author information
- All final files submitted
Final manuscripts are assigned to LAUNCH staff for review and editing
- Verify approvals, format, files submitted
- Further refine writing
- Author approval of edits required
Final manuscripts are assigned to a third-party professional editor for editing
- Verify references, transform into Chicago Manual of Style Further refine writing
- Author approval of edits required
Articles placed into journal design once edits and approvals are complete
- Finalize visuals, captions, and author information
- Minor edits may be communicated during this stage
Wait for publication in November and celebrate!

Editorial Guidelines and Forms

Synopsis templates and guides for Vol. 16:
- Synopsis submission form (open to all)
Full manuscript templates and guides for Vol. 15 (pending updates for Vol. 16):
- Full manuscript submission form (by invite only)
- Full manuscript template
- Use of headings in template
- Supplemental materials checklist
- Sample Copyright agreement
Final manuscript templates and guides for Vol. 15 (pending updates for Vol. 16):
- Final manuscript submission form (by invite only)
- Final manuscript template
- Faculty advisor approval form (link coming soon)
- Author survey form (link coming soon)
- For reference only:
  - Prospective Author Informational Slides (link coming soon)
  - Author Orientation Slides (link coming soon)
  - Examples from Volume 12
Required Specifications for Cover Artwork
- Full design must be 8.625" by 11.125" (Portrait Orientation). This means that your 8.5” x 11” document includes a 1/8” bleed. Your design must extend to the edges of the document (i.e. Do not leave the bleed area blank unless it is intentional for the design).
- At least 300 dpi. Vector format is preferred for digital artwork.
- Note that we will place the Explorations and Texas A&M University logos, as well as a “tab” with the volume number and release date, on the cover design. See past issues for examples.
Faculty advisor approval required and involvement encouraged at all publication stages

General Submission Timeline

Dates	Description
Early-February	Synopsis Submission Deadline Submit a synopsis of your research or scholarly work by this date to be considered for publication.
Late-February to Early-March	Synopsis acceptances will be issued.
Mid-March	Full Manuscript Deadline By invitation only, if synopsis is accepted.
Mid-April	Full manuscript acceptances will be issued.
Late-April to Early-May	1-on-1 meetings with Explorations editors to refine full manuscripts in preparation for the final manuscript submission. Contact editorial teams with questions.
Early- to Mid-May	Final Manuscript Submission Deadline Submission of peer-edited article, original files, faculty approval, and other paperwork required for publication. By invitation only, if full manuscript is accepted.
Summer	Final manuscripts undergo two additional rounds of editing by LAUNCH staff and a professional editor. Authors must stay in contact with Explorations staff to manage edits and approvals, and to answer any questions staff may have about article content or design.
November	Journal Release