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Instructions for AuthorsASM News
ASM News is the monthly news magazine of the American Society for Microbiology. The primary purpose of ASM News is to provide information on the science and profession of microbiology and on ASM activities to the membership, over 42,000 individuals and organizations with interests in the microbiological sciences.
Style
ASM News style is adapted from the ASM Style Manual for Journals and Books and The Chicago Manual of Style. The editors reserve the right to edit all submissions to conform with style and editorial policy. Proofs are sent to authors of Features, the Forum, and Current Topics. Submission of material as electronic files on diskettes or by e-mail is encouraged. Rules for length and format specific to each section are outlined below. Consult recent issues for samples of the house style in practice. Please direct your questions to Patrick Lacey, Production Manager, ASM News, at ASM Headquarters [tel., (202) 942-9286; e-mail, patlacey@asmusa.org ].
Copyright and Permissions
All authors of a manuscript must have agreed to its submission and are responsible for its content, including appropriate citations and acknowledgments, and must also have agreed that the corresponding author has the authority to act on their behalf on all matters pertaining to publication.
ASM requires the corresponding author to sign a copyright transfer agreement on behalf of all the authors. Unless this agreement is signed (without changes and/or addenda), ASM will not publish the manuscript.
By submission of original reports, the author guarantees that the manuscript, or one with substantially the same content, was not published previously and is not being considered or published elsewhere. For previously published material (figures, tables, or text), it is the author's responsibility to obtain permission from both the author and the publisher [i.e., the copyright owner(s)] to reproduce that material. Submit copies of permissions with the manuscript.
Direct questions concerning copyright and permissions to Linda M. Illig, director, Journals Department, at ASM Headquarters [tel., (202) 942-9239; e-mail, lillig@asmusa.org ].
Reprints
Authors of Features will receive several copies of the article. Authors or others who want reprints of ASM News articles should contact Patrick Lacey (see above).
Sections for Submissions
Features. Features (1,500 to 3,500 words) are on topics of general interest to the ASM membership and should be written in a lively and informative manner for an audience that ranges from laboratory technicians to doctoral scientists. Features may be subject to substantial editing. Up to four relevant figures and tables may be included. Numbered references are not used in Features, but an alphabetized list of 10 or fewer suggested readings may be provided. Photographs suitable for use on the cover may be submitted.
Letters. The decision to publish a letter will be made by the editor in chief. ASM News will consider the publication of letters concerning activities of ASM or matters of significant interest to the readership. Letters which contain defamatory statements will be rejected. Please limit letters to 800 words. Include an address and phone number where you may be reached. The views expressed in the Letters section are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of ASM.
Forum. Forum articles reflect the point of view of the author or the organization represented by the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of ASM. Authors should be knowledgeable in the subject area as evidenced by previously published work or presentations. Forum articles are limited to 1,000 words.
Reviews. ASM News publishes reviews of books, educational materials (software programs and videotapes, etc.), and Web sites. Most reviews are solicited by ASM staff. All reviews represent the opinions of the reviewers and do not reflect the opinion of ASM. Each review should present a scholarly and critical analysis of the item under review and should define its potential audience (e.g., students, research scientists, or general public). Comments can and should be critical if necessary, provided that any negative comments are directed against the item's content and not against the author(s). Authors of competing educational materials may wish to be withdrawn as reviewers to avoid any appearance of conflict of interest. Reviews are limited to 500 words. Reviews should include the full title, the names of authors or editors, the publishing house (with city), the copyright date, the number of pages, the price, and the name and affiliation of the reviewer.
Membership Section. The Membership section includes brief articles on awards, position changes, and other activities of ASM members. The Deceased Members section includes obituary notices for ASM members only. Significant information for inclusion in an obituary includes name, date of death, major research interests and accomplishments, and ASM activities. All membership items are limited to 500 words.
Photographs and Other Artwork. Photographs for the cover of ASM News often come from authors of Features or Current Topics, but other photos will be considered. Send prints and/or slides, along with a description of the content, to Michael I. Goldberg, editor in chief, at ASM Headquarters. Cover submissions will not be returned unless a written return request is made.
Halftone figures submitted for use with articles should be submitted as prints or slides. Electronic image files may not be compatible with the procedures used to produce the magazine. ASM News will usually publish color figures only in Features (and on the cover).
Please note the guidelines under "Copyright and Permissions"; these apply to artwork as well as text.
Advertising
Rates and information on formats, standards, and deadlines for display advertisements in ASM News can be found at the website of our advertising representative, The Walchli-Tauber Group: (tel., 410-420-0700).
Classified ads are accepted for employment listings only. Contact Roland Keve at The Walchli-Tauber Group (410-420-0311; e-mail, roland.keve@wt-group.com ) for rates and submission instructions.
Submissions
Upon receipt of a manuscript, ASM News will notify the author that it has been received and whether it will be reviewed.
Unless otherwise specified, direct your questions and submissions to Michael I. Goldberg, Editor in Chief, ASM News, ASM, 1752 N Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20036; tel., (202) 942-9265; e-mail, mgoldberg@asmusa.org , or to Patrick Lacey, Production Manager, ASM News, 1752 N Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20036; tel., (202)942-9286; e-mail, patlacey@asmusa.org .
Email: webmaster@asmusa.org