We have reached a point at which, to borrow a phrase, we need to either fish or cut bait. A few months ago, Bob Papper of Ball State University and I submitted a formal proposal to Erlbaum Publishing. We have received a good initial reaction. First, some facts and figures:

Most journals publish quarterly, but it isn't unusual to start as a twice-a-year publication. It costs a publisher somewhere in the $25,000 to $30,000 range to publish and distribute a quarterly journal. A semi-annual journal would cost roughly 50-60% of that.

Journals are supported primarily through library subscriptions, and other AEJMC divisions with their own journals have members contributing about $20 per year per member to the journal's publication to support member subscriptions and subsidize the cost of producing the journal. Most of those divisions are significantly larger than RTVJ is, and hence generate more revenue toward the bottom line costs, but we feel confident we will have a fighting chance at having our proposal accepted despite our lower-than-average membership numbers.

However, we do feel it's very important to the proposal that the division show some degree of good faith in terms of financial support. On the other end, the arrangements with the publisher will provide a revenue stream for the division once the journal becomes profitable, so the benefits to the division are tangible once the publication has become established.

Some of the most relevant parts of the actual proposal make up the remainder of this article. Of course, we'll be happy to answer any questions not addressed herein, or to entertain any suggestions or comments other members of the division might have about sponsorship of this new publication.

General Questions to Address in a New Journal Proposal:

Journal content

Q: What will be the scope of the journal's content? Which disciplines will it serve?

A: The purpose of this journal is to promote and publish readily accessible research and ideas that have clear relevance to the content, practice, and administration of electronic news, especially radio and television, and related fields, such as station Web sites. The journal will also provide articles of use for those who practice and/or teach broadcast journalism and related topics.

Q: What will the content consist of?

A: The journal will include research articles, invited essays, and reviews of books relevant to the field.

Q: What percentage of the content will go through peer review?

A: All research articles will be peer reviewed. Research articles will comprise about 75 percent of the journal. Industry-generated articles will also be reviewed, but not with the same academic rigor that would be applied to articles submitted by scholars.

Editorial Structure

Q: Discuss the editorial structure and the editorial board. Who will edit this publication? Will the journal need more than one editor, or associate editors? Do you plan to have a book review editor or other editors? Include the names and affiliations of those people you have in mind or who are on board with the project. What will their functions be? Will they work with you to solicit contributions to the journal?

A: The journal will be edited by: Bob Papper, College of Communication, Information & Media, Ball State University and C. A. Tuggle, Journalism and Mass Communication, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. About 30 people have indicated a willingness to serve on the editorial board, which will review both academic and practitioner manuscripts. Other editors will be added as necessary. Everyone on the editorial board will assist in the solicitation of submissions.

Q: Do you have an estimated timeframe for starting up the journal? We work approximately 6 months ahead of publication date, which means that, to publish an issue in January 2005, we need the completed manuscript by July 2004. (A semi-annual publication has more flexibility in timing, and we can discuss the possibilities further.)

A: We anticipate submission of manuscripts for the first edition
by July 2005, with first publication in January 2006. We plan to begin
publication on a semi-annual schedule, moving to quarterly as soon as
possible.
(Note to readers: We believe it might be possible to amend the proposed timeline slightly, to have the first issue ready by September or October, 2005.)

Publishing Environment and Paper Flow

Q: What journals in this area are currently being published? What makes this journal distinctive or unique?

A: There are few outlets for applied research articles in the area of radio, television, and on-line news. No journals publish applied research with this focus. This journal will fill this need by offering both scholars and industry practitioners the opportunity to publish such applied research.

Q: Will you be able to maintain a steady flow of high-quality papers? Will you be able to fill 4 issues a year, with a minimum of 64 printed pages (approximately 100 ms. pages) per issue?

A: We believe generating such a contribution flow will not be a problem once the journal is in publication. We anticipate beginning with a twice-per-year publication schedule and then moving to the quarterly schedule as quickly as the flow of high-quality research articles justifies the move.

So this is the juncture at which we find ourselves. The proposal is in place, and we are ready to proceed if that's the will of the body. We eagerly await input from the division membership.