The Houston Gem & Mineral Society
Paleontology Publication Guidelines
Paleontology Section Publication Guidelines
Draft October 2000, revised March 2001
  1. Publications should be of use to avocational and professional paleontologists. There are two classifications of publications; Texas Paleontology Series Publications and Special Papers in Paleontology. The first will be major works available for purchase and the second shall be shorter works to be distributed to the Paleontology Section members at time of publication. The following guidelines shall be considered for author(s) of major works.
  2. When a Paleontology Section author(s) approaches the section with a publication to be considered for publication, a publication committee will be established that will include the Paleontology Section Chair, Paleontology Section Treasurer, and three additional Paleontology section members chosen by the Paleontology Section Chair. The author(s) shall be consulted about the additional members whom the Chair wishes to appoint.
  3. The author(s) shall make a proposal statement to the section of the work to be undertaken, the scope of their subject, their data collection method and estimated reimbursable expenses. This will insure that no two groups are working on the same material.
  4. The author(s) shall submit a 250 word abstract to the publication committee.
  5. Verbal updates shall be given to the section on how the work is progressing. Six-month intervals shall be sufficient.
  6. It shall be verified in writing with the author(s) that the work is a donation to the Paleontology Section for the educational support of the Paleontology Section and that the author(s) seek no monetary reimbursement.
  7. A paper copy of the publication is to be given to the Publication Committee for review. (An electronic copy will be submitted when ever possible. This will help speed up grammar and spell checking.) This review will also determine the suitability of the work to be published by the Paleontology Section. The committee will consider the writing, layout, organization, illustrations, bibliography, consistency and thoroughness of the work. Suggestions to improve these areas will then be discussed with the authors. Agreements over differences must be reached.
  8. Agreed upon changes and corrections must be accomplished by the author(s) and the work resubmitted to the Publication Committee.
  9. The Publication Committee will then submit a recommendation to the Paleontology Section at a regular monthly meeting on whether or not to publish the work.
  10. If the Paleontology Section votes to proceed with publication of the work, the author(s) will obtain a copyright and library of congress number in the clubs name or transfer the copyright for the work to the club.
  11. The author(s) and the Publication Committee will select names of people to contact as technical reviewers of the work. The author(s) will contact prospective reviewers from those agreed upon until at least two affirmative answers are received.
  12. The author(s) will share the recommendations of the reviewers with the Publication Committee and agree on changes and corrections that must be accomplished by the author(s) before printing.
  13. The author(s) and committee will come to agreement on the printer to be used, type of paper to be used, and type of cover.
  14. The author(s) will design a cover and present it to the Publication Committee for approval.
  15. The author(s) must create a flyer to advertise the work and submit it to the Publication Committee for approval.
  16. The Paleontology Section will pay for copyright, other cataloging costs (like ISBN number) and reasonably compensate author for other negotiable expenses.
  17. The Paleontology Section will pay for the advance printing of copies, with covers, to be sent to the reviewers.
  18. The Paleontology Section will be responsible for advertising, selling, and shipping the work.
  19. The Paleontology Section will store unsold copies of the work.