Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What types of projects do you work on?
We work on all types of projects and formats--books, reports, and other scholarly materials--in both the humanities and social sciences and STEM fields.
Who can work with University of California Publishing Services (UCPUBS)?
We are currently only working with University of California units and faculty–such as departments, libraries, and research institutes–to publish their books or other scholarly materials.
Is this the same as UC Press? Will my book be published by UC Press?
No. UCPUBS is a publishing services business separate from UC Press. Books published through UCPUBS will not have the UC Press imprint and will not go through the UC Press peer review or editorial committee review and approval. UCPUBS titles will be published under the imprint of the academic unit or department that editorially sponsors the publication.
If you are interested in publishing a book with UC Press, please find the relevant acquisition editor on our website and contact them to see if your project is a fit for the UC Press list.
Who will be the publisher of my work?
Our focus is mainly on collaborating with various entities within the University of California system, such as departments, libraries, and research institutes. These entities are designated as the publishers for the works in question. These groups are generally responsible for selecting the works to be published and overseeing crucial early editorial processes like peer review, editorial management, and securing third-party permissions. If you are affiliated with the University of California, we encourage you to explore potential institutional partners at your campus. If you are uncertain or lack a partner, we’re here to assist. Feel free to reach out to us at ucpubs@ucpress.edu.
What will the costs be?
For books, we aim to keep costs as low as possible while still ensuring that we are able to cover our direct expenses. We will charge back for the direct costs of services (e.g. copyediting, composition, etc.) and a reasonable project management fee. If we will be distributing your title, we will come up with a revenue split for the sales of books to cover sales and distribution costs. You will need your own funding or the financial support of your department, library, or research institute. We do not have a standard rate sheet -- detailed cost estimates will be provided before we move forward with your project and will depend on the complexity of your project and which services you need.
Who owns copyright?
Most books will have The Regents of the University of California or you as the copyright holder. You can consult the UC copyright guidelines to determine who will be the copyright holder for your published materials. If we publish your book Open Access there are Creative Commons License options to choose from. We can help you determine what is right for your project after you submit your interest form and we move forward with your project.