Editor Interview: Journalism History

Mass media history

American Journalism
Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly
Journalism and Communication Monographs
Newspaper Research Journal
Journal of Public Relations Research
Historiography of Mass Communication

We are a double-blind, peer reviewed journal.
We publish appropriate photographs, drawings, tables, charts and other graphics to accompany articles.
We are the oldest peer-reviewed journal on this subject matter.

Ancillary online content with Web site.
A related History Division podcast series that features some of the journal content.
Ability to publish several graphic elements.
400 library subscribers around the world.
Oldest journal of mass media history (1974) in the United States.

Make an original argument that contributes to the historiography of mass communication.
Use primary sources as your foundation.
Include a literature review and clear explanation of your methodology.
Write cleanly and compellingly.
Use Chicago 17 style and pay particular attention to your endnotes -- endnotes are very important to our publication.
Adhere to deadlines.

6,500 words on an original subject of great interest to mass media historians and the public at large that adheres to Chicago 17 style. Additionally, include a graphic element to illustrate the manuscript. You will need to include the corresponding permission to use the photo or other element.

They do not submit an argument that advances new knowledge or they fail to use primary sources and delineate a clear methodology. Some submit essays, rather than academic manuscripts. We do not really publish essays.

We just need a name and email address. Submissions are based solely on the work itself, not knowledge of who the author is.

The editor may make a desk rejection when the submission is clearly not a fit for the publication. The editor makes a desk rejection after reading the submission thoroughly -- multiple pages and the endnotes. The articles that are deemed to fit the publication are sent for a double-blind peer review. Reviewers recommend that the publication reject, revise and resubmit, or accept the submission. Once the editor receives reviews from multiple scholars, a decision letter is sent to those who have submitted an article.

Most articles that are accepted for publication go through multiple rounds of revise and resubmit prior to publication.

Manuscripts are reviewed and assigned to reviewers within a very short window -- often within 24 to 48 hours.
Letters are sent to authors detailing the status of their submissions -- whether they are rejected, accepted, or need revision.
In cases of revision, the editor seeks to communicate clearly what revisions are needed as well as deadlines for submission.
While managing the article submission system, the editor also works with associate editors and the book review editor in editing and publishing the articles once a quarter.
Our submission reading process works with authors in providing timely feedback and takes great care to work with authors when they can to ensure the best manuscripts are published.

I edit the publication word by word using Track Changes and work closely with the author in negotiating changes. The edits are shared with the author prior to publication. Respecting the authorship of manuscripts is important, as well as ensuring we have the best possible articles.

Yes, there are two potential awards: the Sidney Kobre Award (best journalism history article of the previous year, awarded by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication) and the AEJMC History Division Michael S. Sweeney Award (for Best Article in Journalism History).