General Guidelines for Book Chapter Submissions

General Guidelines for Book Chapter Submissions

These guidelines apply to all contributors submitting book chapters for inclusion in edited academic volumes. Authors are expected to follow these instructions meticulously to ensure consistency, academic rigor, and a smooth review and production process.

Manuscript Specifications

Authors are expected to carefully follow the manuscript formatting and structural requirements outlined below. Non-compliant submissions may be returned without review.

1Word Count

  • The complete chapter should be between 4,000 and 6,000 words, excluding references, tables, figures, and appendices.
  • Chapters exceeding or falling short of this range must receive prior editorial approval.
  • Word count flexibility may be considered for chapters offering substantial theoretical innovation or empirical depth.

1.2 File Format and Naming

  • Submit manuscripts in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) format only.
  • Other formats (e.g., PDF, LaTeX) will not be accepted.
  • Name your file as: LastName_ShortTitle.docx (e.g., Singh_SocialJustice.docx).

1.3 Font and Layout

  • Font type: Times New Roman
  • Font size: 12-point
  • Line spacing: 1.5 lines
  • Paragraph spacing: Use only one line between paragraphs. Do not indent the first line of paragraphs.
  • Text alignment: Justified
  • Margins: 1 inch (2.54 cm) on all sides
  • Page numbering: Include page numbers in the footer, bottom center
  • Language: English (British or American spelling is acceptable, but be consistent throughout the manuscript)

1.4 Title Page (First Page Only)

Please include the following information on a separate title page:

  1. Chapter Title – Clear, concise, and descriptive
  2. Author(s) Full Name(s) – List all authors in the order they should appear in publication
  3. Institutional Affiliation(s) – Include department, institution name, and country
  4. Email Address(es) – One for each author; indicate corresponding author
  5. ORCID iD – Recommended, but optional
  6. Short Author Bio – Up to 100 words per author, written in third person

1.5 Headings and Subheadings

  • Use headings and subheadings to organize your chapter clearly.
  • Suggested heading hierarchy:
    • Heading 1 – Bold, Title Case (e.g., 1. Introduction)
    • Heading 2 – Bold Italics, Title Case (e.g., 1.1 Theoretical Foundations)
    • Heading 3 – Italics, Sentence case (e.g., Historical background of the theory)

1.6 Tables, Figures, and Illustrations

  • All visual elements (tables, charts, graphs, photographs) must be numbered and titled:
    • Tables: Table 1. Title
    • Figures: Figure 1. Caption
  • Refer to all visual elements in the main text.
  • Place visuals close to where they are first mentioned or at the end of the manuscript if required.
  • All figures and tables should be:
    • Editable and embedded in the manuscript
    • Accompanied by source credits and captions
  • If visuals are reproduced from other works, authors must obtain necessary permissions and provide documentation.

1.7 Language and Style

  • Write in clear, scholarly English.
  • Avoid overly technical language, and define key terms where needed.
  • Passive voice should be limited; active voice is preferred for clarity.
  • Use inclusive and non-discriminatory language.
  • Spellings should be consistent (e.g., choose either British or American English throughout).
  • Acronyms must be defined at first use.

1.8 Footnotes and Endnotes

  • Use footnotes sparingly for clarifying content only.
  • Do not use footnotes for referencing sources—use in-text citations instead.
  • Footnotes should be in 10-point font, single-spaced, and numbered consecutively.