Midcontinental Journal of Archaeology
2004 Editor's Report

The 2004 year at the Midcontental Journal of Archaeology was, to say the least, an interesting one from the vantage point of transitions. With Volume 29 we made the shift from publication by the University of Iowa Press to AltaMira Press. This shift resulted in a variety of logistic issues, perhaps more than I anticipated when I took over the editorship of MCJA. Not the least of these was a major layout glitch in Volume 28 Number 2, the last University of Iowa issue, which resulted in errata sheets being mailed to all subscribers. Clearly, as editor, I take full responsibility for this error.

As of January 2004 I had no manuscripts ready for publication in the Spring issue. By March 2004 I was able to transmit final copy for the Spring issue to AltaMira Press. The Spring issue, Volume 29 Number 1, has just recently been mailed by the publisher and should be in the hands of members and subscribers even as I make this report. You will no doubt note a number of minor design changes within our pre-existing format that I feel greatly enhance the visual appeal of our journal. I trust you will share this opinion.

The good news is that 2004 resulted in a substantial increase in submitted manuscripts. From January through today we have received 24 submissions. One of these was accepted without revision, 12 were accepted subject to varying degrees of revision, two were rejected, and eight are still out for peer review. Geographic representation is extensive, including Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Subject matter and time period continue to be highly variable, and I believe will be appealing to a broad spectrum of our audience.

The result of this increase in submissions is that I hope to have the MCJA on an appropriate publication schedule by the end of my tenure as editor. Volume 29 Number 2, the Fall 2004 issue, has been sent to AltaMira Press and is in production. This is a guest-edited volume focusing on multiple decades of research on Grand Island in Lake Superior. Volume 30 Number 1, the Spring 2005 issue, is full, and will be transmitted to AltaMira Press by the end of the calendar year, which should result in publication around April. We have several items for Volume 30 Number 2, and anticipate that this issue will be full and transmitted to the publisher by May or June, allowing for an October publication. Given the number of manuscripts that are currently out for review I anticipate that we will have sufficient manuscripts available to fill the Spring 2006 issue as well, providing a bit of a buffer for the incoming editor, Janet Brashler.

Significantly, my ability to bring the journal through this transition and back on schedule hinges on the generally high quality of the manuscripts that are being submitted, and the consummate diligence of the many people we have called on to act as referees, sometimes on multiple occasions, and at times on short notice. I greatly appreciate the efforts of both the authors, and the referees, in making this job somewhat easier!

I look forward to being able to report to you at our next Annual Meeting that the journal is on schedule, and that it continues to reflect the high quality of archaeological research being conducted across the mid-continent. I know you will all assist me in bringing this to fruition.

Respectfully submitted,

William A. Lovis
Editor, Midcontinental Journal of Archaeology