Overview
The Journal of Latino–Latin American Studies (JOLLAS) welcomes proposals from individuals who wish to edit a special issue of the journal. Each special issue is organized around a single theme or topic and reflects the journal’s commitment to diverse theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches.
Submit special issue proposals by email: unojollas@unomaha.edu
Manuscript submissions (after approval) are handled through ScholarOne: https://mc04.manuscriptcentral.com/jollas
JOLLAS works with Special Issue Editor(s) and invited authors to identify appropriate external reviewers (typically two per article, when possible). Manuscripts undergo a double-anonymous peer review process coordinated by the JOLLAS Editorial Team. At least one Special Issue Editor will act as Associate Editor and will be given access to ScholarOne to assist in the management of submissions and per-reviews.
General considerations
JOLLAS encourages special issues that reflect intellectual and scholarly diversity.
- Inclusion of early-career scholars as editors and/or authors is encouraged.
- Special issues should reflect diverse conceptual approaches to the theme.
- Ideally, authors should represent more than one discipline and varied perspectives.
- No more than two first authors should come from a single institution.
- No author’s name should appear on more than two contributions in the issue.
- Special issues typically begin with an introductory essay by the Special Issue Editor(s) that provides the rationale and overview for the issue.
- Special issues may include a concluding piece that evaluates and extends the themes emerging across the issue.
Stages of issue development
Stage 1: Submit a proposal (email)
Special Issue Editor(s) should submit a proposal to the JOLLAS Editor via email (unojollas@unomaha.edu). Proposals are reviewed for both feasibility and fit with the journal’s readership and mission.
The proposal must include
- Contact information for Special Issue Editor(s) (phone, email, and postal address)
- Short bios of Special Issue Editor(s) (200 words maximum each)
- A 1–2 page overview of the topic/theme and its significance
- A tentative table of contents, showing:
- sections (if applicable)
- proposed titles/topics
- potential authors (noting whether each has agreed to contribute)
- Plans for inviting contributions (if applicable)
- For each proposed contribution:
- a 200-word abstract
- a short bio, current institutional affiliation, and email for the author
- A timeline indicating when manuscripts are likely to be ready for submission
How proposals are evaluated
Proposals are approved when they represent:
- an important and timely topic of interest to JOLLAS readers
- a strong and diverse group of contributors
- a coherent and compelling intellectual theme
The Editorial Team typically provides content suggestions (revisions, omissions, extensions, reorganizations) and may suggest additional contributors.
Important note on approval
Approval of a proposal indicates the journal’s intent to publish a special issue following the general plan of the proposal (as modified by editorial suggestions). Approval does not guarantee publication of all submitted papers—or the special issue as a whole. Any paper, or even the full issue, may be deemed unacceptable in its final form after peer review and editorial evaluation. Special Issue Editor(s) should communicate this clearly to contributors.
Stage 2: After proposal approval
After the proposal is approved:
- Special Issue Editor(s) communicate editorial suggestions to contributors and confirm the submission timeline.
- Special Issue Editor(s) share confirmed dates with the JOLLAS Editorial Team.
- Invited authors receive an email invitation from JOLLAS to submit through ScholarOne:
Required submission components (for each manuscript)
- A full-length manuscript submitted via ScholarOne
- An abstract (200 words or fewer) included with the manuscript
- A 250-word author biography uploaded as a separate file
Style
JOLLAS publishes accepted articles in Chicago Author–Date style (17th ed., chapter 15). Please consult the Instructions for Authors page for formatting and style requirements.
Stage 3: Peer review and revision
- Manuscripts undergo double-anonymous peer review managed by the JOLLAS Editorial Team.
- Authors are expected to respond to reviewer recommendations and submit:
- a revised manuscript, and
- a revision cover letter outlining changes made|pvia the ScholarOne portal.
Stage 4: Final editorial review
After revisions, the JOLLAS Editorial Team conducts a final review to check:
- clarity and organization
- adequacy and consistency of citations
- formatting and style compliance
Occasionally, additional revisions may be requested at this stage. The JOLLAS Associate Editor also ensures the overall length of the special issue is appropriate.
Final processing and publication
- Individual articles may be published online first before the full special issue is completed.
- If an article is published online first, copyright forms must be signed by the first author and sent to the JOLLAS Editor (preferably scanned and sent as PDF).
- After all articles have been accepted and copyedited, the JOLLAS Editor will notify the Special Issue Editor(s) of the tentative publication date and the volume/issue number.