Propose a Special Issue and
Become a Lead Guest Editor

Share your vision for an emerging topic. We handle the heavy lifting—from initial assessment and proposal refinement to author outreach and editorial management.

Submit Your Initial Idea

No complete proposal is required to get started.

What is a Special Issue?

A Special Issue is a curated collection of high-impact research on a focused theme, driven by leading experts in the field.

All submissions undergo the same rigorous peer review as regular articles. Accepted papers are published with full visibility, clearly highlighted as part of this exclusive collection.

Propose Your Issue in Three Steps

We have kept the process rigorous while making the next action easier to understand.

01

Submit Your Initial Idea

No full proposal is required at this stage. Simply share your initial idea.

02

Initial Scope Review

Our editorial team reviews the topic’s relevance, originality, and fit with the selected journal.

03

Approval and Launch

Once approved, refine your proposal, assemble your editorial team, and officially launch the call for papers.

You Lead the Academic Direction. We Support the Editorial Workflow.

Lead Guest Editors define the academic scope and help coordinate the Special Issue, while the journal team provides administrative and workflow support.

Your LeadThe Journal Team Supports
Define the scientific focusCheck the proposal’s scope and structure
Invite relevant researchersProvide Call for Papers and invitation templates
Recommend suitable Guest EditorsSend reminders and follow up on missing materials
Provide academic recommendationsCoordinate editorial communication and submission tracking
Declare conflicts of interestHandle conflicts and independent review arrangements

Choose Your Path to Proposing a Special Issue

You will receive a confirmation of your submission within 3 working days. After the initial scope review, our editorial team will contact you with the next steps and any information needed to complete the proposal.

Have a Topic in Mind? Submit Online

Start with Your Initial Special Issue Idea

Selected Journal: *
Select a journal based on your special issue topic. Click here >
American Journal of Art and Design

Or click here to choose a different journal for your Special Issue.

Select a journal
Step 1-Please select a subject  *
  • Subject
Step 2-Please select a journal  *
Journal Title

1. Please select your research subject in the left column first.
2. Then select a journal for which you would like to propose a Special Issue in the right column.

Cancel Confirm
Special Issue Title:*
How to write a clear title?
First Name:*
Last Name: *
Email Address:*

We will respond within 3 working days.

Captcha: *
Renew

What Happens After You Submit Your Topic

We will first review your initial idea. Once approved, your Special Issue will be listed on our website to start attracting interest. You can then finalize the editorial team and article plans as the issue develops.

Initial topic review

We review your proposed topic, its relevance to the journal, and its potential as a focused Special Issue.

Approval & Listing

Once your topic is approved, the Special Issue page is created and goes live on the journal website immediately.

Team & Content Build-up

After launching, you will receive forms to define your Guest Editor Team and Planned Articles. These can be updated over time.

Special Issue Ethical Guidelines

FAQ

Do I need a complete proposal to get started?

You do not need a complete proposal or a full author list to get started.

Can I propose a topic without a full Guest Editor team?

Yes. A complete Guest Editor team is not required at the initial stage. The team and further planning can be developed during follow-up communication.

How long does the initial review take?

We aim to acknowledge your submission within 3 working days. The time required for the initial editorial review may vary depending on the topic and information provided.

Can I submit my own manuscript to the Special Issue?

Guest Editors may contribute manuscripts, but any potential conflict of interest must be handled according to the journal’s editorial policies.

How are conflicts of interest handled?

Guest Editors should disclose conflicts and decline to handle manuscripts where their impartiality may be affected.

Are Special Issue articles subject to the same peer-review standards?

Yes. Articles in a Special Issue are subject to the same quality, originality, significance, and peer-review standards as regular articles.

Need Help with Your Proposal

Use this form for questions about the proposal process. To submit a topic or proposal, please use the Special Issue form above.