This process is for authors to submit their native files for text and figures. AMS will then render the native file(s) as a PDF file for use in the peer review process, retaining the native files for production use after the paper is accepted. At this time, if the manuscript is not a Word, WordPerfect, or other accepted type of document, the author must submit an already prepared PDF file of the manuscript (with figures) in addition to the native files. (The most common reason an author-provided PDF would be needed is if the author's native files are TeX or LaTeX.) Authors will review the AMS-generated PDF to assure accuracy and will mark the PDF as "approved." The manuscript will then be checked for adherence to formatting requirements. The package will not be submitted to the journal editor for consideration until the author is happy with the rendering and approves the package as rendered. The files that constitute the package can be replaced, added to, or reordered until the author is satisfied. Once approved by the author, the package is sent to the editor and no further changes can be made to that PDF file.
Once the author marks the package as approved (that is, the PDF is acceptable), no more changes can be made to the PDF file. The author can, however, upload additional auxiliary files (responses to reviewer comments, cover letters, figures without captions, and so on). This material will not be part of the rendered PDF but will be passed on to the field editors by AMS as necessary.
If the manuscript fails to "qualify" (fails a formatting requirement, such as double spacing, etc.) or needs to be revised during the peer review process, the author will receive a notification from AMS or the journal's editorial office stating that fact. Upon notification, the package is "unlocked" and the author may make additions or corrections as during the initial upload. That is, the author can reorder files, delete files, add files, and so on, in exactly the same way as was done during the initial upload. The author will then re-render the package to generate a new PDF. If the revisions and the appearance of the PDF are satisfactory, the author will again mark the package as approved, whereupon it will be checked for formatting and forwarded to the editor if it passes the check.
There are two IDs that the author should retain.
The first is a "package ID." This is the ID of the uploaded collection of files. This ID is assigned by the system when the first new file is uploaded. All additional files must be uploaded to the same package in order to be included in a single manuscript. If authors forget the package ID or password, they can enter the e-mail address used to create the package, click the "I don't remember" link directly below the Existing Packages form on the main page (or click here), and the ID(s) and password(s) will be sent by e-mail.
The second is the "manuscript ID." This ID is assigned by the editor once he or she receives the approved PDF file. This is the ID the author will normally use to communicate with the editor. Once this ID has been assigned, it can be used to find the package IDs. Remember that the manuscript ID is not assigned until some time after the package has been assembled, rendered, approved, and sent to the editor. Before that time, the package ID is the only identifier that exists; after that time, both identifiers exist and can be used to locate each other.
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