Publishing Services @ UC Press

Frequently Asked Questions

PUBLISHER OF RECORD

Is Publishing Services @ UC Press the same as UC Press?

No. UC Press Publishing Services is a fee-based set of editorial, production, fulfillment, distribution, and consulting services offered by UC Press to help support university publishing programs.

If we use Publishing Services @ UC Press, will our publications be published under the UC Press imprint?

No. These services do not include peer review or board approval and therefore cannot be published under the UC Press imprint. The UC Press logo does not appear on the publication.

What if I want my book published with UC Press?

If you are interested in publishing a book with UC Press, please find the relevant acquisitions editor on our website and contact them to see if your project is a fit for the UC Press list.

If my project is not accepted by UC Press, can I still publish with Publishing Services?

Publishing Services is only available to university affiliates (UC units), not individual faculty. Your project must be part of a university-affiliated organization that works directly with Publishing Services @ UC Press or California Digital Library’s eScholarship program.

Do authors receive contracts from UC Press when they use Publishing Services?

No, the press does not issue an author contract for publishing services work because the books are not published under the press imprint, and the projects and authors are not managed by a sponsoring editor. Instead, publishing service terms are outlined in a Memo of Understanding (MOU) between the University of California Press and the university affiliate. This MOU outlines the terms of the relationship. University affiliates must have proof of funding (director and business manager approval) at the time the MOU is signed and for each project submitted.

Does Publishing Services@ UC Press accept unsolicited manuscript submissions?

No. We are not a publisher. We facilitate access to editorial, production, fulfillment, and distribution services for university affiliates.

Who owns the copyright for books created or distributed through Publishing Services?

The affiliate, the author, or another entity such as the University of California Regents is the publisher of the work. Neither Publishing Services nor the press assumes the role of publisher of the work, and therefore the copyright is not registered in the name of UC Press or Publishing Services @ UC Press.

Do affiliates need to obtain ISBN?

No. affiliates are not required to use press ISBNs. We can use affiliate ISBN’s. If an affiliate is using Distribution Services and does not have their own ISBN block, we will assign a project an ISBN.

Why would a UC affiliate use UC Press Publishing Services?

A university affiliate might use Publishing Services @ UC Press if they already have a publishing program, but they need support with production management or the distribution of their publications. Or they might have a publication manager but have gaps in their workflow that Publishing Services can help fill in.

CONTENT

What types of publications will you accept in Editorial and Production services?

We provide editorial and production services for all types of publications including scholarly, text, and trade books, conference proceedings, and reports in all disciplines.

For what type of publications are accepted into Fulfillment and Distribution services?

We provide fulfillment and distribution for commercially sold scholarly, text, and trade books; conference proceedings; journals; policy materials, and reports in all disciplines. The university affiliate chooses the format: print, web PDF, EPUB, or open access. If you are looking for open access distribution only, or primarily, please contact the California Digital Library (CDL) at help@escholarship.org. If you need editorial and production support or fulfillment for a project you intend to host through the erepository or escholarship, please contact help@escholarship.org first and they will bring your project to us at the appropriate time.

Which disciplines does Publishing Services @ UC Press support?

We provide services to all disciplines, including medicine, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; humanities; business; and social sciences.

Are Publishing Services publications peer reviewed by UC Press?

No, Publishing Services publications are not peer reviewed by UC Press, nor are they evaluated by the UC Press Editorial Committee or a sponsoring editor.

Can I submit a draft or partial manuscript to Publishing Services?

No. Manuscripts must be complete and final prior to submission. After the requested service is completed, you will have an opportunity to review changes and request any agreed-upon revisions before acceptance.

Will Publishing Services accept publications that include authors and contributors from outside UC?

Yes, authors from outside UC may be included, provided that the lead author/editor is from a UC campus or affiliate.

Does Publishing Services handle permissions for external content?

No, Publishing Services does not review or secure permissions. External permissions for content included in the manuscript are the responsibility of the university affiliate and their authors/editors.

Can you help with accessibility requirements?

Accessibility is an essential part of today’s book publication process and we strongly recommend that you ensure your publication is accessibility-ready. We provide best practice information guides for affiliates to share with authors and editors. Our designers and typesetters prepare files that comply with WCAG requirements. Alt text creation is one of our fee-based services available but it is recommended that you encourage your author to create the alt text during the writing process.

COSTS

What are the costs for editorial services?

Publishing Services @ UC Press aims to keep costs as low as possible. We do not have a published rate sheet; rather, detailed cost estimates are provided before any services begin. For editorial and production, a budget is created based on the length and complexity of the project. These services are modular, so you can select just the services you need. A project may be turned down at the sole discretion of the Publishing Services program manager.

Do costs change from project to project?

Yes, costs are based on length and complexity. However, Publishing Services affiliates benefit from UC Press’s longstanding relationships with vendors to ensure competitive rates for packagers, printers, and distributors. Our high volume helps to keep pricing low, but when market rates and supply for paper, labor, and freight fluctuate, our vendor pricing may change, and these changes would then be passed along to you.

What are the costs to distribute publications?

Fulfillment and Distribution Services use a revenue share model. There is an affiliate set up fee based on the number of titles distributed. Print-on-demand is used to fill customer orders. That means, publications are only printed when an order is placed. There may be additional fees prior to onboarding files not created by Publishing Services in order to ensure they meet our print-on-demand (POD) vendor specifications. Alternatively, we can provide you with those specs and templates and you can provide us with POD-ready files. Unit costs for customer orders are deducted from net sales revenue, which is paid annually in March. Copies purchased by the affiliate directly are billed after shipping.

DISTRIBUTION

What formats are eligible for distribution services?

Publishing Services provides fulfillment and distribution for print, web PDF and E
PUB formats. These services can be used for new publications, or previously published content. We offer scanning services for publications you would like to transition to print on demand. Titles previously put out of print can be reissued in a new format including digital, which may create new sales opportunities. If you are interested in distributing an open access format, our UCPUBS partner, California Digital Library has hosting options.

Will publications be on the UC Press website?

Commercially sold books in the Fulfillment and Distribution services program appear on the UC Press website. Here is an example of a Publishing Services book. Note that the publisher and imprint displayed are that of the university affiliate.

OPEN ACCESS

Can we publish in open access and still use Publishing Services @ UC Press?

Yes! We can provide editorial and production services for publications intended for open access. We also offer fulfillment and distribution for affiliates that also want to sell a version in print or digital format in addition to open access. If your intention is to use eScholarship for open access publishing, please contact them prior to reaching out to us.

MARKETING

What marketing and publicity services are provided by UC Press?

We do not market or publicize publications created or distributed through Publishing Services @ UC Press.

Who markets my book?

All marketing and publicity efforts including but not limited to advertising, conference attendance, award submission, and coordination and scheduling of author events, media and review copy mailings, and media pitches are the sole responsibility of the university affiliate and their authors.

JOURNALS

What services do you provide for journals?

Publishing Services@UC Press offers editorial and production services for journals that have their own publication and fulfillment strategy. California Digital Library offers open access journal services through eScholarship Publishing. UC Press also offers management and fulfillment for journals published under the UC Press imprint. You can find out more information about UC Press published journals by reaching out directly to the journals department at UC Press.