Ordering Information

PUBLISHING INFORMATION

THE ARMY HISTORY UNIT PUBLICATION PROGRAM

The Army History Unit has, as one of its prime responsibilities, an obligation to support efforts to research and disseminate the history of the Australian Army. To this end the AHU sponsors two publication programs. The first, under the auspices of Oxford University Press, publishes monographs of a high scholarly standard in accordance with the status of OUP as the leading university press in the world. The second, in association with Australian Military History Publishers, publishes books that are either of a more general appeal or which are thought to have a limited commercial value.

Authors, or prospective authors, should in the first instance approach the Head of the Army History Unit, Mr Roger Lee, with an outline of their proposal or with however much of a draft of a manuscript they have, together with details of what their proposed finished book would contain (e.g. maps, photographs, appendices). The Army History Unit then consults with an informal editorial advisory group, and may then decide to proceed – or not to proceed.

If the decision is taken to proceed further, the author will be asked to consult with an editor appointed by the AHU to bring the draft manuscript (or proposal or rough outline) to a state when a final decision to publish will be taken. If the AHU decides to proceed to publication, a contract will be offered to the author, and details of what services the AHU can provide will be finalised.

Once the AHU has offered a contract to an author, he/she must work closely with the editor appointed by the AHU to bring the manuscript to a state that can be sent to the publisher. In the case of AHMP, this means camera-ready copy. The author should produce for the editor as close to a finished manuscript as possible, allowing for the fact that the editor may well suggest changes. For the author this means ensuring consistency of style in referring to dates, times, military ranks, unit names etc. It also means that the required maps and photographs must be chosen and obtained by the author as soon as the decision to proceed to publication is taken. It is the responsibility of the author to obtain any permissions for reproduction that are required, and to ensure that there has been no breach of copyright. The AHU will assist in having appropriate maps drawn, but authors are required to have draft maps available for the cartographer to render into a quality, publishable form. Further details of the preferred style in all matters is available from the AHU.

The publication of a monograph is a lengthy and complex undertaking. It involves considerable investment and effort, and not just on the part of the author. The AHU procedures are designed to assist authors, editors, and publishers.