The Cryosphere
The Cryosphere
The Cryosphere

Special issue guidelines

Thank you for considering publishing a special issue with The Cryosphere (TC). TC offers an efficient way of publishing special issues that gather thematically linked sets of papers. The individual manuscripts are peer-reviewed and published as soon as they are available in regular issues. They are then labelled as part of the special issue and linked electronically.

The specific advantages of publishing a special issue with TC are the following:

  • All papers are published open-access.
  • Every individual paper in the special issue is posted as soon as it is available. That means that the publication date is not delayed by late papers.
  • Efficient interactive discussion of the common theme takes place on the TCD forum.
  • Posting of preprints in TCD allows efficient cross-referencing between the final revised papers in TC.
  • All contributions are efficiently linked and coherently presented on dedicated special issue web pages (an appropriate logo is welcome as a *.jpg file), easily accessible from the TC online library.
  • Guest editors can define the order of the published papers on the special issue web page.
  • Either a non-peer-reviewed editorial preface or a peer-reviewed scientific paper can be used to introduce a special issue.
  • Print versions are available upon completed publication of all contributions. A minimum order of 20 copies is necessary, and the price will depend on the total number of pages in the special issue.
    • The price per printed copy is calculated as follows: number of pages × €0.09 + softcover and binding (€3.00) (hardcover price on request) + priority mail (individually calculated) = net price + VAT Please contact the Copernicus Publications Production Office for an official offer.

Inter-journal special issues

A special issue can comprise publications in any number of Copernicus’ open-access journals, of which one should be nominated as the lead journal for administrative purposes. The handling of individual manuscripts follows the standard procedures for special issues in the journal to which the manuscript is submitted. Afterwards, all published papers are co-listed on a joint special issue web page (in addition to the regular chronological volume of each journal).

If you intend to propose an inter-journal special issue, please first send your proposal to the co-editors-in-chief of the lead journal. If your proposal is accepted, please also contact the co-editors-in-chief of the constituent journals to find out if they want to participate in the inter-journal special issue. Only after all journals have agreed, should all information (see above) on the inter-journal special issue be sent to the Copernicus Publications Editorial Support.

Special issue proposal & guidelines for editors

To make arrangements for a special issue, please contact one of the TC editors covering the relevant subject areas and one of the TC co-editors-in-chief (see editorial board and journal subject areas). Please provide the following information:

  • title of the special issue;
  • names, affiliations, and short CVs of the proposed special issue editors;
  • start date & end date of submission;
  • a statement of the purpose of the special issue, whether it arises out of a conference, and whether it will include only invited papers or is open for all submissions within its scope.

Responsibilities of special issue editors

The editors of the special issue will assume the following responsibilities:

  • work with the authors to obtain manuscripts of high quality and ensure that authors are aware of the manuscript submission process;
  • coordinate a rigorous peer-review process (with at least two independent referees);
  • work to keep the special issue on schedule and periodically update their corresponding editor on the progress of the special issue.