2.1.1 Preparing Your Files

Submit the manuscript in separate files for each major unit of the work. Front matter may usually be gathered into one file, including items such as the title page, dedication or epigraph, table of contents, lists of illustrations or tables, foreword, preface, acknowledgments, and abbreviations. The publisher will normally prepare the copyright page. The main text should usually be divided by chapter, while back matter may include appendices, glossary, bibliography, list of contributors, or other closing material. Indexes are normally prepared later, after page proofs are available.

File names should clearly identify the order and contents of each part of the manuscript. Use a simple, consistent naming system such as 00_frontmatter.docx, 01_introduction.docx, 02_chapter1.docx, 03_chapter2.docx ... 10_appendixA.docx, 11_bibliography.docx, and so forth. The file extension should accurately reflect the format of the file.

Special materials such as charts, figures, illustrations, tables, diagrams, ritual layouts, sigils, or images should generally be kept in separate files rather than embedded only in the main manuscript. Their intended placement should be clearly marked in the text, for example: <INSERT FIGURE 1 HERE: figure1.png>. This allows editors and production staff to identify both the file itself and the author’s intended location for it.

For single essays, articles, or shorter submissions, authors may submit the work as one complete document rather than dividing it into separate files. The document should begin with a simple title page or submission header that includes the title of the piece, the author’s name as it should appear in publication, contact information, a brief author bio if requested, author’s previous publications, and any relevant notes about prior publication, permissions, acknowledgments, or special formatting. The main text, notes, bibliography or works cited, and any appendices may follow in the same file unless the editor requests otherwise. Tables, figures, images, sigils, diagrams, or other special materials should still be provided as separate files when possible, with their intended placement clearly marked in the text.