Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
I am not affiliated with the University of California. Can UC Publishing Services help me with my project?
Unfortunately not. We are currently working only with University of California units and faculty—such as departments, libraries, and research institutes—to publish their books or other scholarly materials.
What types of projects do you work on?
We work on many types of projects and formats—books, reports, and other scholarly materials—in humanities, social sciences, and STEM fields.
Is UCPUBS 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 acquisitions 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?
We collaborate 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 ensuring that we are able to cover our direct expenses. We will charge clients for the direct costs of services (e.g., copyediting, composition, ebook creation) plus a reasonable project management fee. If we will also distribute 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?
The copyright holder for most projects will be the author, department, or The Regents of the University of California. 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 which path is right for your project after you submit your interest form and if we move forward together with your project.