Special Collections

AMS special collections are composed of articles on similar topics that appear in one or more journals. Although review papers can also be part of a special collection, it is expected that the majority of articles published as a special collection will consist of new and previously unreviewed material.

Suitable material for special collections include results from field studies, papers from meetings or conferences on specialized topics, or papers on a topic of current interest in the atmospheric, oceanic, and related sciences. Special collection papers will be submitted, reviewed, and published following the same requirements and standards as other papers submitted to AMS publications. Note that a special collection can include papers from more than one AMS journal.

Named Special Collections

A named special collection of the Society’s journals is an honor reserved for only the most outstanding individuals. Named Special Collections should be proposed only for those individuals who are completing a career, or who have recently died having completed a career, of significant achievements in their field and whose contributions would make them worthy of consideration for Honorary Member of the AMS. See this page for more on the criteria for Honorary Membership.

Browse our special collections

Browse collections with calls for papers

Special Collection Organizers

Organizers wishing to propose a special collection should fill out and submit the form below. The relevant chief editors and the Publications Commissioner will consider the application for approval. Note that for Named Special Collections, proposals deemed appropriate by the Publications Commission will be sent to the AMS Council for final decisions.

The organizers of a special collection are encouraged to recruit submissions, suggest reviewers, and recommend whether unsolicited papers are suitable for the collection. Collection organizers do not act as peer review editors. The peer review process for each paper will be handled by a regular journal editor, assigned by the journal's chief editor.

Publication of Special Collection Papers

Once accepted for publication, special collection papers are made available online in the same way as standard journal articles. Special collection papers appear alongside the other papers in the journal, with a graphic logo on their title page that identifies them as part of a particular special collection. All papers in a special collection are linked to that collection's web page.

Print Option for Special Collection Papers

When all papers within a collection have been published, there can be an option to print a hard-copy version of all of the papers in a bound volume. AMS staff can work with collection organizers to determine an estimated cost for hard-copy print volumes.

For more information contact: SpecialCollections@ametsoc.org

Propose a Special Collection

Required fields are marked with an asterisk.

Name*

Email Address*

Affiliation*

Names and Affiliations of Other Collection Organizers

Title of Special Collection (Formal)*

Title of Special Collection (Informal/Short)

Description of the Collection*

Provide one or two paragraphs outlining the scope of the collection. Type or copy/paste.

Reason for the Collection*

Please explain how the collection would serve the journal readership and research community. Type or copy/paste. For Named Special Collection proposals, please include a statement about why the individual meets the standard for being honored in this way (ie, the individual had, or has had, a career of significant achievements in their field and their contributions would make them worthy of consideration for Honorary Member of the AMS).

Journals to which Papers will be Submitted*

Expected Dates of Submissions*

Note: AMS does not require deadlines for special collection submissions. However, organizers have found that providing authors with deadlines helps encourage timely submisssions.

Estimated Number of Submissions*

Note: A minimum of 10 accepted submissions is generally required for a special collection to be approved for final publication. Chief Editors do have the discretion to approve smaller collections on a case-by-case basis.

Titles and Authors for Expected Submissions, If Available*

Papers Already Submitted

Will The Organizers Want an Estimate of the Cost of a Print Volume?

Yes

Maybe

FOR NAMED SPECIAL COLLECTIONS ONLY
Once you have submitted this form, please email the following additional documentation to SpecialCollections@ametsoc.org:

the individual's CV (including bibliography)
other background materials you feel would provide support for the honor (in some cases, for instance, organizers have provided an obituary that includes detailed assessment of the person's career contributions).

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