LECTURE: “THE AUTHOR IS EVERYTHING”: WORKING WITH THE AUTHOR IN A PUBLISHING PROJECT
On Thursday, 16 April 2026, at 13.00 you are invited to the online lecture “The Author is Everything”: Working with the Author in a Publishing Project. Lecturer will be Prof. Dr. Jonatan Vinkler (UP FHŠ and UP UK). The event will be streamed online via Zoom (https://upr-si.zoom.us/j/65144572427, Meeting ID: 651 4457 2427). The lecture will be held in Slovenian.
A publishing project is a) a sequence of interactions between actants and their inputs/influences, which must b) within an agreed deadline c) result in a successful publication (i.e. one that finds recipients; they take over the work in the form of an open publication or buy the publication). The key actors are the author and the publisher, therefore the lecture discusses the key role of editorial and publishing work with the author in modern academic publishing.
The main purpose is to present a systematic, professionally managed process that ensures high quality of the publication, while maintaining the author’s autonomy and motivation. Communication is defined as “comprehensive, transparent and democratic“: non-conflictual, but decisively guided, since the author is usually not familiar with publishing procedures, deadlines, technical requirements and market realities.
The lecture is based on a practical model that university publishers and editors can directly apply when working with scientific, professional and textbook authors. The emphasis is on preventive management of potential misunderstandings, timely and complete information, and a partnership-based but clearly managed dialogue.
Key principles of communication with the author
- Integrity and transparency: the author knows at all times where his text is and what is happening with it.
- Democracy: respect for the author’s expertise and voice and the integrity of the author’s work, without authoritarian interference with the content.
- Leadership: the editor actively guides the process, explains professional decisions and takes responsibility for deadlines and quality.
- Prompt and comprehensive information: each step is accompanied by a clear, written message that allows the author to prepare and participate.
Stages of cooperation with the author
1. Immediate response to receipt of the author’s work (text)
Immediate (no later than 48 hours) formal response with thanks, confirmation of receipt and a tentative timeline for reviewing the received author’s text.
2. Message on acceptance for publication or rejection
A clear, reasoned decision by the editor or editorial board (based on the completed review process). In case of rejection, a constructive proposal for further work or another publisher.
3. Proposal for an author’s or licensing agreement and dialogue about it
Presentation of the contractual content (copyright, possible fee, obligations, deadlines), answers to questions and possible adjustments. Goal 1: the author understands his rights and obligations. Goal 2: signing a mutually agreed author’s or license agreement.
4. Information on the publication plan
Presentation of a detailed timetable (proofreading, editing, design, proofreading, printing, distribution or e-publication, presentation to the public) with deadlines and responsibilities of both parties.
5. Text after proofreading and dialogue on changes
Provision of the proofread text with explanations of linguistic, stylistic and technical corrections. Organised dialogue (e-mail or meeting) in which the author accepts or justifiably rejects the proposals.
6. Proofreading
The author receives the final proofreadings (first, second, further if necessary) with clear instructions for marking changes. Emphasis on limiting subsequent content and design interventions (the author is not a designer or typesetter!).
7. Authorization
The author’s final consent to the entire text. Formal signing of the authorization before printing.
8. Preparation for press conference and presentation of the work
Joint preparation of press release, press summary, visual material and author’s appearance. Involvement of the author in planning promotion at book fairs or other events.
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The lecture concludes with a reflection on the long-term benefits of such an approach: higher author satisfaction, less conflict, a faster and higher-quality production process, and building trust between the university community and the publishing house. Participants receive practical suggestions for communication and time frames that they can immediately use in their work.
Target audience: The lecture is intended for members of universities – scientists, editors of university publishing houses, project managers, and graduate students who encounter the publishing process. The duration of 50 minutes allows for a thorough overview of all phases with illustrative examples from practice.
Prof. Dr. Jonatan Vinkler is a specialist in the literary and cultural history of the early modern age, editor and librarian. Editor-in-chief of Collected Works of Primož Trubar and editor of the individual books of the mentioned scientific critical edition (2003–2018: the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth – with F. Kranjc-Vrečko, the eighth, the ninth – with B. Javornikom and M. Šetinc, the twelfth, the thirteenth and the fourteenth book). He is the editor of a scientific critical edition of the Symphony in F major, opus 68: ‘Ljubljana transcript’, Ludwig van Beethoven with an international review in an indexed scientific journal (A&HCI, Scopus (h), ERIH PLUS …). On the reception of the Hussite and Lutheran Reformations, the imaginary of the ‘Turkish’ threat in the Slovenian cultural space and Czech-Slovenian and Slovene-Czech cultural and literary contacts in the century of ‘townspeople and revolutions’ he has published several single-authored scientific papers and monographs, which are cited in domestic and foreign scientific papers and monographs. Bibliography of dr. Vinkler has 360 units; he is the mentor of several doctoral students. He is the director of the University of Primorska University Library, chairman of the Board of Directors of the University of Primorska, and vice president of the National Council for Library Activities. He has received several awards for his work, among them the Prešeren Award of the FF UL (2000), the Trubar’s plaque of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of (2017) and the Golden Plaque of the University of Primorska (2020).
Please pre-register for the event via LINK >>
This is the fourteenth lecture in the OSUP series – Open Science at the University of Primorska. The event is organised by the University of Primorska within the framework of the Action Plan for the Open Science (Objective 6.2 ReZrIS30) that is funded by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation. If you have any questions you can contact Dr. Ana Slavec, the editor of the OSUP series. Past lectures that were organised within the OSUP series are available on the YouTube channel of the UP University Library >>