Journal of Natural Science Illustration

ARTICLE IDEAS

• Feature Stories - In-depth articles on visual science communication about topics in which the author has significant knowledge.
• Pages from My Sketchbook - Images from your sketchbook, with short paragraphs or captions that tell the reader what makes these special to you. We encourage you to include the location and dates and any other pertinent information.
• Career Paths - The twists and turns of a GNSI members’ career can provide inspiration and guidance to new illustrators. No two stories are the same.
• Member Spotlight - Member Spotlight candidates are selected by the editors, or you may nominate someone (including yourself.) Nominees will be asked to write up their personal story, focusing on their career path. Examples of work and a photo of yourself should be included.
• Business Insights - Thoughts, tips, and stories about business issues such as freelancing, managing complex projects, balancing work and personal life, working with difficult or unusual clients and using social media to promote your work.
• Educator’s Corner - Short articles with tips about presenting a particular topic to students; other topics of interest to educators.
• Techniques Showcase - Share a detailed technique, unique approach, or media, from basic to advanced. 
• Mission/Outreach - Special events and their successes and pitfalls, including workshops and exhibits.
• Studio Tips - Hints about what makes work more productive, easier, safer, or just more fun.

SUBMITTING YOUR IDEA

Please send your abstract of approximately 100-200 words, along with one or two low-res images, if available, that support your topic to the Journal Team member who contacted you; or you can reach us here: journal@gnsi.org. Once your topic is accepted, you will be assigned an editor who will work with you throughout the process.

TOPICS

• We accept nearly anything related to scientific illustration: techniques, business practices, studio tips, equipment or materials, unique experiences you may have had while working on a project, etc. We welcome brief “hints and tips” for artists (consisting of a short paragraph or two and one or more supporting images), as well as samples from your sketchbooks (include very brief descriptions of the media used and location, events, etc.). Sketchbook and “hints and tips” submissions are very welcome as fillers, and will be used at our discretion and as space is available.
• Our production schedule is fluid; therefore we do not accept articles that contain time-dated material, such as those that promote a workshop/class, exhibit, or specific event. For this type of announcement, please notify our Newsletter Editor and Social Media Director.
• We look for topics that inform or support our members, and reserve the right (obligation!) to reject topics that are outside of that restriction. We do not accept material that is political.
• Depending on the topic and the size of the article and the size of the current issue layout, your article may not be used immediately. We will advise you what we think will be the schedule, and keep you informed of schedule changes.
• We invite you to include a brief biographical paragraph — our readers want to know who you are!

ARTICLE LENGTH

Figure approximately 500 words per page with 1-3 images per page. Our articles vary considerably in length. Feature articles normally run 3-5 pages, smaller pieces (like book reviews) may run one page or less.

IMAGES

We require high-res images (minimum 300 dpi at print size, on an 8.5x11” page), preferably tif files, but high-res jpgs or pdfs may work; if your image has a lower resolution, your editor will advise if it is acceptable.

PLEASE NOTE: In order to fit images into a layout, we often have to resize or reposition elements of that image, which could render the built-in labels unreadable. If you have an image with labels, please send us a low-res copy with labels, and a native high-res file without labels; we will reconstruct the labels (and accompanying arrows, lines or other added graphics) to suit the layout.

ARTICLE SUBMISSION

Once your article is ready to submit, please prepare the text in a Word or similar document. Place your images and your text document in a folder and compress the folder. If your files are large, we can provide a URL for upload.

EDITING

Your editor will work with you to refine the wording for clarity if needed, edit for length, and look for any discrepancies or omissions. Your editor will also check the images you provide for quality, copyright issues, suitability for the topic, etc.

PERMISSIONS

The journal requires authors to get get signed permission forms for any content that is to appear in the Journal. In most cases this is not a problem, as the author is the owner of the text and images. If you include other's work, permission from them will be needed as well. If a very few instances where material may qualify as "Fair Use" without permission required, please work with your editor to confirm the use.

PEER REVIEW

Articles are vetted by the Journal staff, all of whom are GNSI professionals themselves. Highly technical articles are generally reviewed by GNSI members accepted as experts in the subject, or by outside experts for accuracy and clarity.

AUTHOR PROOFS

Your editor will contact you from time to time during the issue layout process as needed. Once the entire layout is complete, you will receive a pdf proof of your article pages. Please look these over carefully, and alert us to any mistakes, omissions, etc.; corrections will be made and, if needed, a second proof will be sent to you. The issue will go to press with what you approve at this stage. Please reply promptly!

PORTFOLIO COPIES

As an author, you will receive one copy of the issue for your files (in addition to the regular copy if you receive the print edition). Extra print copies may be available, please ask! PDF copies are available from the website.