UCPUBS

Editorial and Production Services

UC Press Publishing Services provides editorial and production support to University of California units at any stage of development—whether established, emerging, or in the planning phase. The services support academic, research, professional and general reader publications that have been vetted and approved for publication by the unit. If your unit’s mission includes disseminating academic scholarship or supporting faculty authorship, consider using UC Press’s fee-based editorial, design, and production services to create efficiencies, improve workflow, or professionalize the publishing process.

Who These Services Are For

Editorial and Production Services are available to all University of California affiliates (academic and research institutes, centers, departments, schools, colleges, cultural programs, and administrative offices) with their own editorial vetting process and publishing program. Services are not available to individual authors. Faculty and staff seeking professional publishing support should begin by checking with their department to see whether a Publishing Services agreement is already in place. Departments without an active agreement are welcome to schedule a consultation with Publishing Services program manager to explore next steps.

Range of Publications Supported

We offer modular editorial and production services for all publications, including books, conference proceedings, casebooks, annual editions, policy and research reports, course books, and other academic literature.

Publication Management

Collaborating with a professional publisher can transform an academic unit’s scholarly output into a professional, impactful publishing program. Whether your organization’s core activities focus on interdisciplinary collaboration, research, education, innovation, training, or public engagement, there are often significant opportunities to create book-length publications aimed at an academic, policymaker, professional, student, or general audience.

Editorial and Production Services provides structured publication management and stand-alone services to support these efforts. Whether a work is distributed free of charge or offered for sale, Editorial and Production Services supports authors, editors, and publication managers throughout the publishing process—managing workflows, offering tailored levels of copyediting, and developing covers and interiors that enhance and support the content.

Types of Services Available

All editorial and production services available to use: publication management, copyediting, alt text creation, typesetting and interior design, image and chart standardization and creation, cover design, proof reading, indexing, and creation of print-on-demand and ebook files.

*Services are modular. Fulfillment and Distribution services are also available.

Costs for Services

All services are fee based, and each type of service can be used on a stand-alone basis or in combination with other services. Estimated budgets and production schedules are created for each project based on the word or manuscript page count, complexity of the project, and the services provided. All fees are due upon completion of the project.

Complexity Classifications

Simple projects have minimal design elements and require limited coordination. Moderately complex projects may have maps, tables, or charts in addition to images. Complex projects often have many technical requirements. Custom projects include projects with pedagogically informed color design to support navigation, such as technical and policy reports and textbooks. Specialty and gift books may also fall into this category. Rush work moves the project up one class.

Lists the four levels of complexity of a manuscript: simple, moderate, complex, and custom. Each level a list of the items that go into classifying a manuscript including word count, image count, translated publication, custom design, and rush deadline.

Manufacturing and Format Options

Lists the options for printing; paperback, hardcover, and hardcover with jacket. Indicates multiple trim sizes and paper stock available. Color and black and white printing available. For digital formats, WebPDFs and EPUBS can be created.

Getting Started

The Publishing Services approach is structured yet flexible and recognizes that each project is unique. Services are tailored to the unit’s specific needs.

Each affiliate must have its own Memo of Understanding (MOU) with the press that outlines who may use the services, the types of services to be used, the scope of the work, the approval coordinator, and the approval process. MOUs are signed by the director of the affiliate and their business manager.

Publishing Services does not offer peer review. Projects must be final and complete (including photo credits, captions, and endnotes) and vetted by the affiliate unit prior to submission. Permission for any external content must be secured before work with Publishing Services can begin. This minimizes changes and costs after the editorial and design process starts. Once the project is submitted, a project schedule will be created based on the complexity and length of the manuscript.

While individual faculty and staff are not eligible to submit projects, Publishing Services can craft an agreement with any UC department or unit. If your unit does not currently have an agreement in place, please ask your program director or dean to contact the Publishing Services program manager to initiate the process.