Editorial guidelines
Thank you for your interest in writing an article for Contingencies. We appreciate your efforts on our behalf and offer our guidelines to help you achieve a finished product that will be a lively, readable, and informative addition to the magazine.
If you have any questions after you've read the guidelines and the editorial calendar (PDF), please e-mail Editor Steve Sullivan or call him at 202 223-8196.
Subject matter and style
Contingencies is the magazine of the actuarial profession, published by the American Academy of Actuaries. It presents both feature articles and more technical articles that demonstrate the ways actuarial science can be used to illuminate many of the most difficult economic and social issues of the day.
Keep in mind that Contingencies is a magazine, not an academic journal or a newsletter. Feature articles should be written for the educated layperson, while technical pieces (particularly those in "Workshop") should be directed principally to actuaries. Even those articles, however, should not be so burdened by equations and tables that they're prohibitively uninviting to the general reader.
The mathematical sophistication of our readers varies considerably. The readers include practicing actuaries, CEOs and CFOs of Fortune 1000 companies, risk managers, chief actuaries and chief underwriters, policy analysts, key legislators and regulators, and actuarial students. Please keep this audience in mind when putting your ideas and words on paper.
In general, we invite controversy and diversity in point of view. However, private communications and confidential documents that cannot be verified should not be cited in Contingencies. In addition, authors are responsible for the accuracy of all data, quotations, tables, and figures. Make certain this material is complete and correct before submitting your manuscript.
What we expect from an article
- Timely subject matter
- A strong focus
- New insights or a new perspective on the topic discussed
- A point of view
- Logical organization of ideas
- An implicit or explicit demonstration of the ways in which actuarial techniques and perspectives can provide a clearer path to a resolution (or at least a more focused discussion) of critical social and economic issues
Length
Generally, feature manuscripts should be 10 to 12 typewritten, double-spaced pages, or around 2,000 words. This is only a general guideline, however. Some ideas can be developed in fewer pages, while others may require more.
Department manuscripts should be shorter, in the range of four to eight double-spaced, typewritten pages, or between 1,000 and 1,500 words.
Submitting a manuscript
The best way to submit a manuscript to Contingencies is by e-mail to Sullivan@actuary.org. Manuscripts may be submitted in either Microsoft Word or WordPerfect format. Usually, it is not necessary to mail a hard copy.
If e-mail is unavailable, manuscripts may be submitted in the above formats on a floppy disk and mailed to: Editor, Contingencies, 1100 17th Street NW, 7th Floor, Washington, DC 20036.
Finally, you may mail a hard copy to the above address or fax it to Steve Sullivan at 202-872-1948.
Multiple submissions
Contingencies will not consider any manuscript that another publisher is simultaneously considering for publication. Nor will we reprint an article that has appeared in another publication unless it has been substantially rewritten, refocused, and updated to appeal to the Contingencies audience.
We will consider material that has been given as a speech or presentation, as long as it has been rewritten into magazine-article style.
Who may submit articles
Anyone may submit an article for consideration, whether or not he or she belongs to the American Academy of Actuaries.
Acceptance for publication
Please bear in mind that our acknowledging receipt of a manuscript does not constitute acceptance for publication. Articles that are highly technical may be subjected to outside review before being accepted for publication. In most cases, this assistance will be provided by a member of the Contingencies editorial advisory board.
When an article has been accepted for publication, the author will be notified by Editor Steve Sullivan, usually by e-mail.
Conveyance of copyright
Upon our acceptance of an article—whether by fax, telephone, letter, or e-mail—the first North American publishing rights for the accepted article are automatically conveyed to the publisher of Contingencies.
An author who seeks to have an article published elsewhere after it has appeared in Contingencies must obtain specific permission to do so from the editor of Contingencies. (Reminder: Contingencies will not accept any previously published material.)
Using copyrighted material from other sources
Authors who wish to submit Contingencies manuscripts that contain non-Academy copyrighted material must first contact the publisher of that material and obtain written permission to reproduce it. That written permission should be submitted with the manuscript.
In addition, the article should contain an appropriate citation indicating the original author and copyright holder of the reproduced material. When a table or set of figures is reproduced in Contingencies, the table should include a footnote indicating the source, original author, and copyright holder.
Other copyright considerations
Authors are protected by federal law against unauthorized use of their unpublished manuscripts. Consequently, authors need not register their copyright to prevent unauthorized publication of their manuscripts in Contingencies. Once a manuscript has been accepted for publication in Contingencies, the author transfers the first North American publishing rights to the publisher of Contingencies.
Illustrations
We encourage authors to submit rough or finished charts or other graphics. When doing so, however, it's essential that the author also furnish the raw numbers or data the charts are based on so that our graphic artist can redesign them if necessary.
Editing
By submitting articles to Contingencies (solicited or not), authors implicitly consent to the editorial review of their manuscripts. In general, manuscripts are accepted or rejected on the basis of quality of content. When necessary, editorial staff recast and reword entire articles or sections of articles in order to maintain an accessible, readable magazine style (by converting passive to active voice, for instance). In all cases, staff make an effort to preserve the core content and as much of the original wording and flavor as possible, consistent with magazine style.
Authors are sent edited drafts to review for errors of fact or omissions made in the editing process. Other kinds of editorial changes may be negotiated with the editor, but keep in mind that accuracy, readability, and accessibility are our first concerns.
Sometimes, changing space requirements may necessitate last-minute cuts or changes in a manuscript, although we hope to keep those to a minimum. Unfortunately, our production schedule makes it impossible to furnish authors with galley proofs.
All manuscripts accepted for publication receive at least minimal copyediting to ensure that they conform to house style (a variation of Associated Press style) and that correct grammar, syntax, and spelling are used throughout.
Order of publication
Articles are not necessarily published in the order in which they are received or accepted for publication. Determining when an article appears in the magazine rests solely with the editor.
Author's copies and reprints
Five complimentary copies of the magazine are provided to the author. Those copies will be mailed to the author after the magazine goes to press.
If you would like additional copies of your article, we can arrange to have high-quality reprints produced for you. Reprint prices are based on the number of copies ordered, length of the reprint, and whether the article is reprinted in black and white or full color. Reprints are reproductions of the article as it appeared in the magazine; advertisements may be taken out at the author's request, but we must limit other design changes. Also, Contingencies is unable to begin production of a reprint until the issue containing the article has gone to press. All reprints must be obtained through Contingencies staff.
You are welcome to make as many as 20 photocopies of your article. If you would like to make more than 20 copies, please request permission from Contingencies in writing before doing so. You may e-mail Joe Vallina to ask for permission. Remember to include a description of how you will be using the copies.
Letters to the Editor
Contingencies always welcomes reader comments. The Letters to the Editor section offers readers an opportunity to share stories, ideas, and opinions. This section should encourage an exchange of constructive dialogue among readers and Academy members.
- All letters are subject to review and considered for publication on a case by case basis.
- Constructive letters responding to previously published articles are encouraged and may be published; letters perceived as libelous, unfairly critical, or demeaning to any individual or group will not be published.
- Letters commenting on an author’s published article will be forwarded to the author as a courtesy. The author may be asked to respond in a timely manner in order to facilitate timely publication of both letters. The author will be asked to copy the magazine on any response.
- All letters will be edited for grammar, spelling, style, and length.
- Letters of 300 words or fewer are more likely to be published than longer versions. Writers of longer letters may be asked to develop them as a feature article or column.
- Letters may be accepted via e-mail in addition to traditional means; in either case submission of the writer’s full name, address, and daytime phone number or e-mail address are required; letters should also be clearly marked, “Letters to the Editor.”
- Letters may be forwarded to appropriate Academy officials for review and comment, prior to publication.
- Material submitted will be returned only if a stamped, self-addressed envelope is provided. Only letters received by e-mail will be individually acknowledged.
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Editorial calendar