Scope of the Call
Vernon Press invites book proposals on the theme of “Social Media and Digital Journalism” for our book series in Communication.
The emergence of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Reddit and YouTube has had an impact not only in shaping people’s social habits, but also for communication and journalists’ working practices. Interactive technologies serve as new platforms for promotion and announcements and also as new sources for news, leads and contacts, upsetting established professional practices, inviting controversy and opening up new areas of academic inquiry.
Never before was the function of journalism in as much demand or as vigorously challenged. More than ever journalists need to act as intermediaries between sources and receptors, making use of their skills in identifying, verifying and filtering information. The rapidly pulsating social media rhythm creates a new kind of journalism, in which journalists need to be active continuously and develop new reflexes to fulfil their roles as information professionals. Meanwhile, news produced by professionals, competes for attention against unconventional “content” providers, governed by different sets of rules and challenging established relationships.
Advanced algorithms track past reading patterns and tailor reader experiences. As a result readers are guided through a so-called filter bubble. A new form of digital divide is emerging, where personal experience is increasingly removed from the whole, a trend blamed for, among other things, unprecedented political polarization. It is still unclear whether and how filter bubbles influence traditional relationships between journalists and readers, erode trust in traditional outlets, and the ability of journalists to offer unbiased reporting.
The scope of the present call is broad. All issues stemming from the transition from daily newspaper, to digital journalism are potentially relevant. Possible topics include (non-comprehensive list):
- the rise of social media influence in the public sphere
- journalists’ use of social media: source or tool
- the digital transformation in journalism
- communication standards and ethics in the age of social media
- media plurality and the long-tail of perspectives
- advances in journalism education and the professionalization of social media communication
How to submit your proposal
Please submit one-page monograph proposals at submissions@vernonpress.comincluding an annotated summary/motivation, a short biographical note and (if applicable) a list of similar titles. Proposals that treat other topics of relevance to the series in Communication and Journalism are also welcome. More information on what we look for in a proposal is available on our website.
About the publisher
Vernon Press is an independent publisher of scholarly books in the social sciences and humanities. We work closely with authors, academic associations, distributors and library information specialists to identify and develop high quality, high impact titles. Recent and forthcoming titles in our series in Communication include Politics and Web 2.0: The Participation Gap and Strategic Communication for Non-Profit Organisations.
What we look for in a new book proposal
- The book should be the product of original research and scholarship. It may reflect an original idea or the application of an existing idea to a new setting. Alternatively, it may draw from and unite existing approaches into a comprehensive or cohesive whole, resulting in a volume suitable for reference or student instruction.
- It should be in an area in which you are an expert in courtesy of extensive study, research and/or professional experience. It should be of a sufficiently high academic standard to stand the test of peer review by established scholars.
- It should strive to make a contribution to the field, enlarge upon existing research, or fill a market niche. In all cases, it should be of interest to a sufficiently large community of researchers and practitioners to justify publication in book format.
What happens after you submit your proposal
Upon receipt, in addition to our internal assessment we will forward your proposal to one or more advisory editors of the subject most relevant to your book. It usually takes about 2 weeks to consider your proposal and decide whether to go further with it.
We request that you send the complete manuscript only after a corresponding editor expresses interest in your proposal. Once you have sent us the manuscript, it will be sent out for peer review. During this period we expect you to refrain from simultaneous submissions to other publishers.
For more information click "Further official information" below.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
https://vernonpress.com/proposal?id=15&uid=6ad50a12dd0e29f55858dea1abd243c5