Organizing a special issue for a journal involves curating a collection of articles that focus on a specific theme or topic. Contacting a special issue typically involves reaching out to the editors or guest editors responsible for overseeing the special issue. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to organize a special issue:

Special issue Journal

Define the Theme:

Identify a specific and relevant theme for your special issue. This could be a cutting-edge research area, a current trend, or an emerging topic within your field.

Identify the Special Issue:

Determine which journal is hosting the special issue you’re interested in. Visit the journal’s website or refer to any announcements or calls for papers related to the special issue.

Call for Papers:

Draft a call for papers that clearly outlines the theme, scope, and submission guidelines for the special issue. This document should be distributed widely to attract contributions from researchers in the field.

Editorial Team:

Assemble an editorial team that includes experts in the chosen theme. This team will be responsible for reviewing and selecting papers. Ensure diversity in expertise and perspectives.

Submission and Review Process:

Set up a submission system for authors to submit their papers. Define a clear review process, including double-blind peer review if applicable, to ensure the quality of the submissions.

Timeline:

Develop a timeline for the entire process, including submission deadlines, peer review periods, author revisions, and final manuscript submission. Make sure to communicate these deadlines clearly to authors.

Promotion:

Promote the special issue to attract high-quality submissions. Use academic networks, social media, and relevant conferences to spread the word. Engage with researchers and institutions working in the field.

Find Contact Information:

Look for contact information for the special issue editors or guest editors. This information is often available on the journal’s website, specifically on the page related to the special issue or in the call for papers.

Send the Email:

Send your email to the designated contact person for the special issue. If there isn’t a specific contact person listed, you can use the general contact information provided on the journal’s website.

Peer Review:

Once submissions are received, initiate the peer review process. This may involve assigning reviewers, collecting feedback, and making decisions on acceptance, revision, or rejection.

Communication:

Keep authors informed about the status of their submissions throughout the process. Timely and clear communication is essential for a successful special issue.

Editing and Production:

Work with authors to edit accepted papers and ensure that they meet the journal’s standards. Coordinate with the journal’s production team for formatting, proofreading, and finalizing the special issue.

Publication:

Once all papers are accepted, work with the journal’s editorial staff to publish the special issue. This may involve coordinating with the journal’s production team and ensuring that the issue is properly formatted and released on time.

Promotion After Publication:

After publication, promote the special issue to a wider audience. Share it through social media, newsletters, and academic networks to maximize its impact.