Books & Chapters
The checklist is a tool that will help you discover what you need to know when assessing
whether or not a publisher is suitable for your research.

Are you submitting your research to a trusted publisher?
How can you be sure the publisher you are considering is the right one foryour research?
More research is being published worldwide.
New publishers are launched each week.
Many researchers have concerns about predatory publishing.
It can be challenging to find up-to-date guidance when choosing where to publish.

Reference this list for your chosen
publisher to check if it is trusted.
Have you read any books or chapters from this publisher before?
Is it easy to discover the latest books distributed by this publisher?
Is it clear how they distribute the books?
Can you tell what formats the books are available in and what price levels?
(e.g. ebook for purchase or open access, print in hard or soft cover)Do the academic editors have a proven record in your field?
Can you easily identify and contact the publisher?
Is the publisher name clearly displayed in the front matter of the book and on thewebsite?
Can you contact the publisher by telephone, email, and post?
Is the publisher clear on their website about the type of peer review used ?
Does the peer review involve an expert editorial board or independent/external
reviewers in your subject area?

Look for information about the following services or charges
Will your book or chapter be indexed or archived in an easily discoverable
database?
Does the publisher ensure long term archiving and preservation of digitalpublications, such as via OAPEN or CLOCKSS?
Does the publisher use permanent digital identifiers for books and/or chapters?
Does the publisher explain on their website how they are financially supported?
Is it obvious whether or not fees will be charged to authors?
If there are charges, does the publisher website give an indication of the amount,currency, explain what these fees are for, and when they will be charged?
Does the publisher’s website explain whether or not waivers are available and how toapply for one?
Does the publisher provide clear guidelines for authors?
For open access books, does the publisher have a clear license policy, including any
preferred licenses and whether exceptions are permitted depending on the needs ofthe author? Are license details also included on their publications? Will your book beavailable as open access immediately when published?
Does the publisher allow you to retain copyright of your work? Does the publisher
allow you to share an electronic version of your book or chapter via, for example, aninstitutional repository, and under what terms?
Is the publisher clear about contracts and royalty agreements, where applicable?
Does the publisher have a clear policy regarding potential conflicts of interest forauthors, editors and reviewers?
Is the publisher clear about services offered to authors, such as copyediting andmarketing and supporting rights management?
Is the publisher clear about how they will provide you with information about thereach and usage of your book?

Other things you may wish to check
Is the publisher a current member of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)
and follow its guidelines?
If the book will be distributed with open access, is it listed in the Directory of Open
Access Books (DOAB)?
If the publisher offers an open access option, is it a current member of the OpenAccess Scholarly Publishers’ Association (OASPA)?
Is the publisher indexed in Latindex (for books in Latin America, the Caribbean,Spain, and Portugal)?

If the publisher is open access, is it hosted on Scielo (for Latin American scientificbooks)?
Is the publisher a member of another trade association?

If you have been able to check most or all of the items on the list.
Complete the checklist and submit your manuscript only if you can answer ‘yes’ to most or
all of the questions above.

This checklist for books and chapters is the current English language version and may besubsequently amended. Translations of this checklist have been made by volunteers, andthis may lead to differences. This version was updated January 2024.

Email us: feedback@thinkchecksubmit.org