Author Guidelines

The Loreto College Academic Press (LCAP) Open Book Platform is dedicated to the publication of high-quality, peer-reviewed academic books across all disciplines.

1. Scope and Portfolio

We welcome proposals for:

• Scholarly Monographs: Original, specialized research by a single author or co-authors.
• Edited Collections: Peer-reviewed chapters by different contributors centered on a unified theme.
• Open Textbooks: High-quality instructional materials designed for higher education.
• Thematic Anthologies: Compilations of primary sources or scholarly essays with critical introductions.

2. The Proposal Process

Before submitting a full manuscript, authors must submit a Book Proposal. This should include:

• Working Title: A clear, descriptive title of the work.
• Project Summary: A 500-word overview of the book’s objectives, scope, and contribution to the field.
• Table of Contents: A detailed outline including brief chapter summaries.
• Target Audience: A description of the primary and secondary readers.
• Sample Chapter: At least one complete core chapter (excluding the Introduction).

3. Manuscript Preparation

Once a proposal is accepted, the final manuscript must adhere to these standards:

• Format: Submissions must be in .docx format.
• Digital Accessibility: As an open platform, we encourage the use of hyperlinks, high-resolution images, and multimedia elements that enhance the digital reading experience.
• Length: Monographs typically range from 40,000 to 90,000 words, inclusive of notes and references.
• Language: Academic English (consistent British or American usage).

4. Citation and Style

To maintain consistency across our digital library, authors should follow:

• Style: MLA (7th Edition) is preferred for Social Sciences; Chicago Manual of Style (17th Edition) for Humanities.
• References: A comprehensive bibliography is mandatory. Please provide DOIs for all cited digital works to ensure cross-linking functionality on the platform.

5. Ethical Standards & Open Licensing

• Originality: All manuscripts undergo a plagiarism check. The work must not have been published elsewhere in its entirety.
• Creative Commons: By publishing with LCAP, authors agree to release their work under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (CC BY-NC-ND) license (or similar), allowing for maximum impact while protecting the author’s moral rights.
• Permissions: Authors are responsible for securing the rights to use any third-party copyrighted material (images, maps, or lengthy excerpts).

6. Peer Review and Production

1. Initial Assessment: The Editorial Board reviews the proposal for academic merit.
2. External Peer Review: The full manuscript undergoes a double-blind review by at least two external specialists.
3. Revision: Authors work with editors to incorporate feedback.
4. Production: The Press handles professional typesetting, cover design, and metadata registration (ISBN and DOI).
5. Launch: The book is hosted on our Open Book Platform in PDF, EPUB, and HTML formats for global discovery.

Submit your book proposal to the Research and Development Cell, Loreto College, Kolkata

E-Mail - researchcell@loretocollege.in