For Authors

Publishing with the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology Press

Dedicated to the timely preparation of reasonably priced volumes that emphasize primary research data and its interpretation, we offer a variety of incentives to authors and volume editors:

  • Technical advancements in our production facilities and close liaison with our authors result in fast turnaround of publications without sacrificing peer review.
  • Experienced editorial staff and concentration on archaeological topics result in top-quality book design at affordable prices.
  • Tailored marketing approaches of direct mail, conference exhibits, reviews in appropriate journals, distribution by the ISD through catalogue mailings to individuals and booksellers, and efficient order fulfillment result in volume promotion to the segment of the book market vital to the volume.

Editorial Focus

Currently active research focus areas:

  • Andean South America
  • Pacific Islands
  • California and the western United States
  • Egypt and North Africa
  • Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Mesoamerica
  • Prehistoric Europe and the Mediterranean
  • China and Southeast Asia
  • The Near East and Southwest Asia

Volumes are organized into series that reflect the nature of their contents: Monumenta Archaeologica contains final reports of significant field research, presented in hardcover format; Monographs focus on contributions in synthetic field research and current issues in archaeological method and theory; Cotsen Advanced Seminars are the published results of Cotsen Institute sponsored seminars, where scholars explore cross-disciplinary themes in conferences periodically sponsored by the Cotsen Institute; Ideas, Debates, and Perspectives offers a forum to address theoretical and practical issues of concern to contemporary archaeology; World Heritage and Monuments highlights major archaeological sites and monuments around the globe and seeks to preserve their unique cultural contributions through scholarly documentation and publication; Perspectives in California Archaeology presents substantive and theoretical topics focusing on archaeological research in California; Archaeological Research Tools presents manuals covering specific topics of practi­cal interest to archaeological research.

An Editorial Board composed of distinguished UCLA faculty guides the acquisitions of the CIoA Press. Editorial Board members review book proposals [.pdf] and express interest in reviewing the manuscript if the manuscript appears to fit our list. When the manuscript is received it is peer reviewed by two scholars in the appropriate field. Based on the recommendations of the reviewers, the Editorial Board issues the final decision on the publication of the proposed manuscript. If accepted for publication, the manuscript is revised and submitted for production.  Our production schedule is efficient and effective, averaging 6-10 months.

Support for Open Access and Data Preservation

Through the DIG Data Initiative, the CIoA Press offers support for the publication of the research data underlying our titles. Press staff work with our authors to prepare and deposit their research data in a long-term preservation repository at UCLA. Additionally, the team will build a web application that offers readers access to these data in an interactive, reusable format along with descriptive metadata and documentation that provides important context for readers. The Press also collaborates with the UC eScholarship service to provide open access options for disseminating digital editions of your publication. Many funding agencies now require immediate or near immediate public access to the outputs, both the scholarly texts and associated datasets, and the CIoA Press is equipped to assist with these requirements.

How to Submit Manuscript

Before submitting a manuscript proposal, please review our current publications to see whether it fits our list. For your manuscript to be considered by the Editorial Board a book proposal must be submitted according to our guidelines. If you are interested in preparing and submitting a book proposal, please review the document to guide you through the proposal process. We encourage all authors to contact us before submitting a proposal.

Other Useful Guidelines

SUBMITTING A BOOK PROPOSAL [.PDF]

PUBLISHING WITH THE COTSEN INSTITUTE OF ARCHAEOLOGY [.PDF]

PREPARING A MANUSCRIPT FOR PUBLICATION [.PDF]

PREPARING ILLUSTRATIONS FOR PUBLICATION [.PDF]

PREPARING REFERENCES FOR PUBLICATION [.PDF]

PREPARING A MANUSCRIPT FOR REVIEW [.PDF]

CHECKLIST FOR SUBMITTING A MANUSCRIPT [.PDF]

STYLE GUIDE [.PDF]

For details of the submission through publication process, please see this flow chart!

Requesting Permission

It is the policy of the CIoA Press to grant permission to authors requesting the use of images and short text excerpts from our books in scholarly publications, journal articles, and dissertations, without charge. Please credit us in your publication with the title, publisher, authors, year, and the line ‘published with the permission of the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology Press at UCLA.’

Use in commercial or general trade publications, such as textbooks, may require a fee for use, and will be determined by individual assessment.

To request permission, please fill out this form and send it to cioapress@ioa.ucla.edu.

The expected print run of the publication can be estimated.