Publishing Prize supporting information

One of the key drivers behind the Leeds Early Career Publishing Prize is to support academics at the early stages of their career in publishing their work, specifically through an open access route.  

While White Rose University Press can offer some support to prize winners, we also recognise the valuable insight and support needed from other academics, and we think it is important for authors submitting applications to have the support of an academic mentor.

What is the role of an academic mentor?  

We understand that early career researchers have a range of publishing experience. Some may not have extensive experience of the publishing process or of peer review. Successful applicants to the prize may benefit from working with someone who has this experience. The academic mentor will advise on the proposal and, if it is successful, at key stages in the development of the book - for example, how to define the audience effectively, and how to assess and respond to peer review comments. Mentors will be invited to join the author in meetings with WRUP, and will help the author in understanding how to act on feedback, eg from peer reviewers or the WRUP Editorial Board.

Who can be an academic mentor? 

The academic mentor should not be the doctoral supervisor, as a fresh perspective can be really important. It should be someone from the same field of study who has agreed to support the applicant through the drafting, peer review and manuscript preparation stages of the publishing process, if successful. It is not necessary for the academic mentor to have read the examined thesis containing the doctoral research, although an appropriate option for an academic mentor could be one of the thesis’s examiners. 

How much work is involved? 

As an academic mentor, you need to commit to helping the author through certain aspects of the publication process. There are key points when they are likely to need input: 

• you would be expected to read the sample chapter of the proposed book, and the draft book proposal before the author submits them to the prize
• the author may also ask you to provide the academic recommendation for publication, as this is a requirement of the submission
• if successful, you would offer support to the author through the proposal peer review and commissioning process, which may involve attending a meeting with WRUP (probably virtual)
• if commissioned, you would offer support to the author when the manuscript is sent for review.

The author may need help processing and responding to peer review feedback if this is not something that they have had experience of. They will need to select which elements of the feedback they need to take on board and which they should decline to incorporate. They may also need advice in judging how best to evolve the manuscript based on the feedback they want to use. 

You should have a discussion with the author to gauge whether they feel they would benefit from or require support at other stages, for example, the initial planning and work to develop the doctoral research into a book. You need to be open with the author about how much support you can offer. For example, you could agree to have three meetings with them over the course of the peer review, commissioning and publication process.