Academic Book Editorial Program and East Asian Scholarship
Maintaining high scholarly standards requires a rigorous and transparent editorial process. For an academic press, the journey from a raw manuscript to a published volume involves multiple layers of scrutiny to ensure that only the most impactful and accurate research reaches the public. This commitment to quality is evident in the selective nature of the acquisition process and the specialized focus on regional scholarship.
The Editorial and Review Process
The path to publication is highly competitive. For example, during the 2007 fiscal year, the press considered approximately 1,300 manuscripts and proposals, yet only 60 were accepted for publication by the editorial board. As of June 30, 2007, there were 122 books in press, reflecting a steady pipeline of scholarly work.
To maintain academic integrity, every book undergoes a rigorous review process. This begins with a preliminary evaluation conducted by an in-house editor. Manuscripts that show significant promise are then sent to two external readers—specialists in the specific subject matter—for peer review (the evaluation of work by one or more people with similar competencies). Only those manuscripts that receive two positive peer reviews are presented to the academic editorial board, which holds the final authority on whether to publish the work.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Regional Focus: East Asia
East Asia represents a primary regional focus for the press. Between 2000 and 2005, the press published 184 academic monographs—specialized long-form scholarly books—on the region. This output was distributed across China (82 books), Japan (81 books), and Korea (21 books).
The scholarship within this region is categorized into three principal subject areas:
- Language and Literature: 25 books on Japan, 23 on China, and 7 on Korea.
- Religion and Philosophy: 21 books on China, 13 on Japan, and 2 on Korea.
- History and Fine Arts: 20 books on Japan, 20 on China, and 7 on Korea.
Key Facts
- Selectivity: In FY2007, only about 4.6% of considered manuscripts (60 out of 1,300) were accepted.
- Review Standard: Publication requires a preliminary in-house check and two positive external peer reviews.
- East Asian Output: 184 monographs were published on East Asia from 2000 to 2005.
- Regional Distribution: China and Japan received nearly equal scholarly attention, with 82 and 81 monographs respectively.
Specialized Monograph Series
The press organizes its publications into various series to highlight specific areas of concentration and collaborations with academic centers. These series cover a vast array of disciplines, from linguistics and spirituality to colonial studies and architecture.
| Series Title | Editor or Partner Institution |
|---|---|
| ABC Chinese Dictionary Series | Victor Mair |
| Critical Interventions | Sheldon Lu |
| Dimensions of Asian Spirituality | Henry Rosemont, Jr. |
| Hawai‘i Studies on Korea | UH Center for Korean Studies |
| Intersections | UCLA Asian American Studies Center |
| KLEAR Textbooks in Korean Language | Korean Language Education and Research Center |
| Kuroda Classics/Studies in East Asian Buddhism | Kuroda Institute for the Study of Buddhism and Human Values |
| Modern Korean Fiction | Bruce Fulton |
| Monographs of the Biographical Research Center | Honolulu |
| Monographs of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies | Kyoto University Center for Southeast Asian Studies |
| Monographs of the Society for Asian and Comparative Philosophy | Society for Asian and Comparative Philosophy |
| Nanzan Library of Asian Religion and Culture | Nanzan Institute for Religion and Culture, Nagoya |
| Oceanic Linguistics Special Publications | UH Department of Linguistics |
| PALI Language Texts | UH Social Science Research Institute |
| Pacific Islands Monograph Series / South Sea Books | UH Center for Pacific Islands Studies |
| Perspectives on the Global Past | Jerry H. Bentley and Anand Yang |
| Pure Land Buddhist Studies | Institute of Buddhist Studies, Berkeley |
| Studies in the Buddhist Traditions | University of Michigan Institute for the Study of the Buddhist Traditions |
| Spatial Habitus: Making and Meaning in Asia's Architecture | Ronald Knapp and Xing Ruan |
| Southeast Asia: Politics, Meaning and Memory | Rita Smith Kipp and David P. Chandler |
| Topics in Contemporary Buddhism | George Tanabe, Jr. |
| Writing Past Colonialism | Institute for Colonial Studies, Melbourne |
| The World of East Asia | Joshua Fogel |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the press decide which books to publish?
The process involves a three-step filter: first, a preliminary evaluation by an in-house editor; second, a peer review by two external subject specialists; and finally, a determination by the academic editorial board.
What is the acceptance rate for manuscripts?
Based on 2007 fiscal year data, the press accepted 60 out of approximately 1,300 manuscripts and proposals, indicating a highly selective acceptance rate of roughly 4.6%.
Which East Asian countries are most represented in the press's monographs?
Between 2000 and 2005, China and Japan were the most represented, with 82 and 81 monographs respectively, followed by Korea with 21 monographs.
What are the primary academic subjects covered in East Asian studies?
The three main subject areas are language and literature, religion and philosophy, and history and fine arts.
Does the press collaborate with other institutions?
Yes, the press partners with various organizations, including the UCLA Asian American Studies Center, the Kyoto University Center for Southeast Asian Studies, and the University of Michigan Institute for the Study of the Buddhist Traditions, among others.