Department Guidelines Content for Annals departments should be short ( see lengths listed below), written in active voice (first person), and should immediately grab the reader’s interest. Because departments are shorter pieces, we do not include the author’s biography and photo as we do in the feature articles. We will, however, include the author’s contact information at the end of the article. Additionally, for Anecdotes and Biographies, we do include the author’s byline under the article title. Editing Before publication, the managing editor edits all articles to meet house style and space constraints. Authors can expect to work closely with the editor in the three to four months before the publication date; please advise the editor in advance of any scheduling conflicts. This interaction increases clarity, conciseness, and conformity with Annals’ style. Authors should avoid using their own editors at this stage of the process. Scheduling publication of departments Because of space constraints, some department material may have to be held back for one or more issues. If it is appropriate, some department material may be posted on the Annals Web page as a “Web Extra.” Image permissions It is the author’s responsibility to ensure that he/she has permission to publish images in print and online in our digital library. If the author did not create the image, he/she must acquire permission from the owner of the image. If the image has been published elsewhere, authors must secure permission from the publisher and pay any necessary fees required. We cannot publish an image without the consent of the image’s owner. We have a straightforward, easy form that authors can use to acquire permission. Contact Society Publications Coordinator Alkenia Winston (annals-ma@computer.org) if you have questions about this or if you would like the form. Summary of Operating Procedures for Annals Departments ThinkPiece Content Short pieces – 2 Annals pages approx 1,400 (to allow for “continued on…” lines and subheads) words or less New or challenging ways of thinking about history and historiography of computing New or challenging ways of thinking about specific topics or events Challenging established epistemologies and the broad concepts of the discipline Anecdotes Content Variable page length depending on length of articles and space available in any one issue. Usually 4 pages (approx. 3,200 words). Unreviewed short memoirs by practitioners Short interesting asides by historians Anecdotes Can carry illustrations but does not have to Can include clusters of related items but does not have to Can link to special issues where useful and appropriate Reviews Content 2 Annals pages (1500 words) depending on space availability Generally two 750-word reviews per issue (with additional reviews as Web-only content) Reviews of books, films, exhibitions, and any other medium for which a scholarly review of content is warranted Focus on recently published work—ideally within 1 year of publication Focus on scholarly books dealing with history of computing Can include books on history more generally where there is significant history of computing content Biographies and autobiographies of computing pioneers Biographies Content 4-6 Annals pages (3,200 to 4,800 words) depending on space Biographies of significant computer practitioners (alive or dead) Pieces should give an insight into a career as a whole. Pieces which describe just one aspect of a life may be better placed in Anecdotes. Work with magazine staff to tactfully edit poorly written pieces with interesting contents. Meet Annals production deadlines. Can co-ordinate with special issues but no pressure to Events and Sightings Content Reports of a broad range of recent (within the past six months, generally) events relating to the history of computing from around the world Includes "news" reports on conferences, exhibitions, meetings, special events, deaths etc. Each report should be short (generally 750 words or less) 4 pages per issue (3,200 words) Illustrations encouraged—as long as copyright permissions cleared. Will have to balance word length and images to keep to 4-page limit. Does not include notices of meetings and calls for papers Letters to the Editor Content Occasional series as relevant and space allows. Comment upon articles that have previously appeared in the Annals. Significant corrections to articles that have previously appeared in the Annals Good to encourage debate around Think Pieces Place for discussion and debate Letters should be measured and thoughtful, NOT personal and attacking Polite Decision to print at Dept. editor’s discretion.