Scientific publishing

In the beginning, there is your request. In order to ensure the high quality of the programme, for example, in the case of dissertations, only work that has been assessed with an above-average grade is included. Together with you, we decide in which series your work is best placed. We forward the necessary documents to the editors of the series, who then decide on the inclusion of your work in the series in a peer-review process within a short period of time. After the decision on the inclusion of your work in the publishing programme (whether in a series or as a single title), we will submit an offer to you free of charge.

After agreeing on the modalities such as working title, manuscript submission, number of pages, features of the book and the amount of the publication cost subsidy, we conclude the publishing contract with you. At the same time, we assign your publication an ISBN number – from this point on, your work can be pre-ordered. In order for us to be able to start marketing measures at an early stage, please send us the completed author questionnaire, which you will receive from us, at the latest after the contract has been concluded.

Professional proofreading (spelling, punctuation, grammar, lexis) is optional. We will be happy to provide a quote on request.

Once your complete, typeset manuscript has been submitted, it is passed on to our production department where it is typeset in the appropriate layout. After completion of this so-called “first make-up”, you will be sent the proofs for checking, after which any desired changes will be implemented in a “second make-up”. The individual cover design is a special feature of Ergon Verlag. Within the framework of the series layout, you have the option of suggesting images for the cover yourself, or you can use designs from our graphics department.

After approval from your side, your book goes to print. At Ergon Verlag, we attach great importance to an appealing design of the books – that is why we only work with printers who produce high quality. As soon as your book is printed, we will send you the contractually agreed complimentary copies to pass on to your professional network, colleagues, family and friends. We will also take care of any deposit copies required for your university. Subsequently, your book will not only be offered in printed form to specialist libraries and relevant research institutes, it will also be included in the internationally networked Nomos eLibrary. This allows interested parties online access to your work and ensures the permanent availability and worldwide visibility of your research results. The time between the submission of your manuscript and the publication of your book is between three and four months.

Through our targeted marketing, we make your book known in the community and ensure that the results of your research flow into the scientific discourse. Your work benefits from the diverse promotional opportunities of a modern academic publisher. Twice a year we publish our new publications catalogues, which are sent to selected addresses in the scientific community and displayed at conferences and congresses, as are our subject brochures and series flyers. In addition, we advertise your work in relevant journals. We also take care of reviews of your work – we are happy to take your suggestions regarding possible review organs. Ergon Verlag books can be found quickly in our own webshop and can be ordered easily.

This information often comes unexpectedly, especially for young researchers: The publication of scientific work, and thus also of dissertations, is associated with costs. As an author, you pay a publication cost allowance for the publication of your work. On the one hand, this is necessary to cover the high production costs of high-quality books in low print runs. On the other hand, as an academic publisher, it is our concern to disseminate good research in the right places – so our targeted marketing and distribution measures should not only generate sales, but above all make your findings known in your field. Don’t worry: especially in the humanities, there are a number of foundations and institutions that provide partial or full funding for the publication of dissertations and other academic work. We have compiled an overview of general and specific funding sources for you under the following menu item ‘Funding opportunities’. Often it is also worthwhile to first ask your own faculty and take a look at the science awards in your own discipline. We will be happy to assist you with your application! Irrespective of funding, all authors of scientific works can register with the VG WORT and benefit from the society’s annual payments.

There are a number of foundations and institutions that cover part of the publication costs. If you want to apply for grants from research funding institutions, we will support you in the application process.