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Africa Today Frequently Asked Questions

How do I submit a manuscript to Africa Today?

Potential contributors should send their manuscript to the Managing Editor. We prefer electronic versions sent to afrtoday@indiana.edu as attachments (speeds the review process), but we also accept hardcopy (three copies) sent to the Managing Editor; Africa Today; African Studies Program; Woodburn Hall 221; Indiana University; Bloomington, IN 47405.

Does Africa Today accept proposals for special issues?

Africa Today frequently publishes special issues. We encourage those who have an idea for a special issue to contact one of the editors with a proposal (two paragraph description of the theme of the special issue and list of contributors, with titles and abstracts for each manuscript). We encourage one or more members of the group to assume the role of the ˜special issue editor" and serve as lead person for interactions with the editors.

I submitted a manuscript to Africa Today, received an acknowledgment from the Managing Editor, but have not heard anything more. What's happening to my manuscript?

The manuscript probably is with reviewers. The Managing Editor works to see that the editors receive reviewer comments promptly, but reviewers do not always provide their comments in a timely fashion. In some cases, the editors must seek alternate reviewers, as the editors do not want to make a publication decision with fewer than two reviews. You should feel free to contact the Managing Editor for information about the particulars of your manuscript.

Why do the editors seek reviewers for manuscripts?

Reviews are the way the editors assure that Africa Today publishes articles of the highest intellectual and scholarly quality. The editors make initial assessments of the quality of manuscripts, but they rely on specialists to read thoroughly and to write substantive reviews. Our process is "double blind," that is, neither the reviewer nor the author knows each other's identity. Africa Today accepts approximately 10% of manuscripts submitted, so it is a very selective journal.

Does Africa Today publish articles in languages other than English?

Africa Today only rarely publishes articles in languages other than English.

Does Africa Today publish unsolicited book reviews?

No, it does not. Do not submit unsolicited book reviews, as they will not be published.

How do I subscribe to Africa Today?

Please go to the Indiana University Press website at IU Press.

Please contact Atieno Adala, Managing Editor, with further questions:

Woodburn Hall 221
Tel: 812-855-0647
Fax: 812-855-6734
email: afrtoday [AT] indiana.edu

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