Editorial to production and vice versa

Journal assistants, editorial assistants, are you aware what goes on at production stage? Once an article comes out of your online manuscript tracking system after acceptance it then goes off to the world of production. It is then when production get the article that it may transpire that there are things missing like conflicts of interest statements, copyright forms, too many references, too long an article, the list can go on.

So when an article is accepted it goes to you to check all of the deficiencies and there may be a period of process of toing and froing with the authors to try to get it perfect. 9 times out of 10 it does go perfectly but 1 out of 10 may not and something will be picked up by the typesetter or the copyeditor or the production editor. Then the article will either be sorted out there and then or it may go back to the editorial assistant. But if the editorial assistant is not clear why they want it how can they make it right next time?

In the world of working at home I still say the communication is not as strong as it is in an office but some have no choice and some will not agree with me (makes a change ;o). If the Editorial assistant knew the process of a production cycle then there would be a better understanding of the whole process.

I know some of you actually handle the whole shabang where you are the editorial assistant, production editor, copy editor, etc. But I would assume you are not alone and another set of eyes see it at copy editing stage?

Also would be nicer if production could understand the job of an editorial assistant more. This may stop any age old friction between departments?

Any I will leave you with that and see how you get on.

I'm off for a nice soak in the pool with a margarita in the blazing sun (yeah right, i wish)

Toodle oo