BCRA > Publications > Speleology > Guidelines

See also Copyright | Format for submissions

Guidelines for Authors

This web page contains some early draft information, which has not changed substantially since January 2003. Is is probably due for some slight revisions.

Content of the Magazine

Originally, we proposed a content for the magazine as follows.

• BCRA Activities. Review of recent SIG publications, review of recent Cave Studies booklet, Symposium call for papers / news report. But not 'Association News' - that belongs in the BCRA newsletter.
• Special Interest Groups. Typically a 2000-word article from three of the SIGs. Either reprints of SIG articles, or specially commissioned articles.
• UK Exploration. 2000-word article (i.e. not a news report).
• Expedition reports. Ghar Parau reports.
• BCRA Research Fund reports
• Regional Focus. One region per issue. (not a duplicate of Descent's news round-up)
• Environmental / Conservation / Legal issues
• Reviews. Book / Journal reviews / Library news / Web watch
• Photographs, Advertisements, Letters.
• Science. Articles at a 'popular' level - i.e. not peer-reviewed academic papers.
• Technology. Equipment reviews, bolting, rope testing.
• Disused Mine Exploration. We would also expect to cover mine exploration topics, where appropriate
• Themed issues. There may be a possibility of 'themed' issues, where the material is available.

We have said that the magazine will contain 'popular science', but it is important that authors note that this does not mean 'bad science'. Although there will be no formal peer review, there will be consultation on the scientific content of articles, and we reserve the right to reject contributions. Hopefully we will not have to do that too often. BCRA has always taken 'scientific' content, to include expedition and exploration reports. Speleology will also act as a vehicle for SIG publications. Ephemeral news and BCRA membership matters will not usually appear in Speleology. Instead, these matters will appear in the BCRA newsletter.

Deadlines for Subsmissions

Speleology will appear regularly in 2006. please contact the editor to obtain deadlines for submission and the publication dates.

Use of Submitted Material

BCRA cannot guarantee to use any item that is contributed for publication, even if the article was solicited in any way. We reserve the right to edit contributions to conform to our house style or to fit the space available, or to request such alterations from the author. It will not normally be possible to issue page proofs to the author for checking.

No payment will be made for any contribution, but it may be possible to make a small contribution towards the expenses you incur for processing photographs, printing and posting drafts and so on. Such payment will be made only to the author(s) of the submitted item, and is entirely discretionary.

Letters to the Editor

As is the usual practice, it will be assumed that any letter sent to the magazine is intended for publication, without restriction, unless endorsed otherwise; and that this includes the name and address of the author. Letters may be edited.

Copyright

Copyright of text, photos, and graphics that appear in this journal will not be assigned to the Association but the Association shall retain, in perpetuity, a non-exclusive licence to reproduce this journal in any medium. This licence shall extend to the separate publication of individual articles in this journal, but not to any other use of the author's material. The Association shall consider any restrictions that the author wishes to apply to this licence, and such restrictions may only be agreed in writing.

BCRA does not seek to own the copyright in an author's contributions. This means that you are free to use your original material elsewhere; however we request that you acknowledge that the material has been published by BCRA. Contributors must confirm that the contribution is your original work, and will not infringe any existing copyright. If you use material from other copyrighted sources, the owner's written consent must be obtained for BCRA to publish the material.

Some important information about copyright licensing is given on our copyright page, which you are recommended to read.

Copies for Author's Use

Please ask if you require any additional free copies of Speleology containing your published article. (In addition, of course, to your subscription copy, if you are a member of BCRA).

Format for Submissions

We have prepared some notes covering the preferred format for text, graphics and photographs. (see detail).