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MCJA / AltaMira Press Publication Agreement through 2013 |
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Midwest Archaeological Conference |
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Dear Midwest Archaeological Conference, Inc. Members: The Midcontinental Journal of Archaeology and the Midwest Archaeological Conference, Inc. are pleased to announce a new relationship with AltaMira Press. Since 1976, MCJA has served as the preeminent peer-reviewed journal covering the archaeology of the North American midcontinent. Originally published by Kent State University Press and later by the University of Iowa's Office of the State Archaeologist, in 2003 MCJA became the official journal of the newly incorporated Midwest Archaeological Conference (MAC, Inc.). Responsibility for publication and distribution of the journal passed from the University of Iowa to MAC, Inc. at that time. MCJA's transfer from Iowa to MAC required that MAC obtain new printing, distribution, and marketing services. After reviewing several bids, the MAC Executive Committee accepted a proposal from AltaMira Press. As announced at the 2003 Midwest Conference annual business meeting in Milwaukee, AltaMira Press' proposal included not only the standard journal production and mailing services but also extensive promotional efforts. Expanded promotion and marketing will serve MAC and MCJA well, and should attract additional members and subscribers. The contract between MAC, Inc. and AltaMira Press includes the following key points:
From MAC's perspective, this arrangement will accomplish several of our key goals. Most importantly, it will keep MCJA in business and will help us improve the journal's quality and expand its coverage and influence. AltaMira's promotional work will help more people become aware of MCJA, which should increase the rate of article submission and the number of subscribers and MAC, Inc. members. The ten-year term of the contract should supply enough time to work through the inevitable glitches and to obtain real benefits. The financial details of the agreement, available upon request to MAC, Inc. members, are cost-effective for MAC, Inc. and MCJA. Prospective authors should continue to send all manuscripts to MCJA Editor Bill Lovis at the address below. MAC, Inc. members should continue to send dues (and tax-deductible contributions!) to MAC, Inc. Treasurer Bob Jeske. All correspondence regarding back issue sales, non-member subscriptions, rights and permissions, and advertising should be directed to AltaMira Press. As many MCJA readers know, AltaMira Press is a leading publisher in archaeology (five AltaMira Press books are reviewed in the January 2004 American Antiquity). AltaMira Press also publishes Kiva, the principal journal for Southwestern archaeology, and Curator, a standard journal in the museum field. Archaeologist Mitch Allen founded AltaMira Press in 1995. In 1999, AltaMira Press became part of Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, which increased its capacity to reach the general public and improved its relations with wholesalers, bookstores, and libraries. We would like to acknowledge several people for their work on the new publishing agreement. First, we thank all of the other MAC, Inc. Executive Committee members (Bob Jeske, Cheryl Munson, Lynne Goldstein, Cricket Kelly, Terry Martin, and Mark Seeman) for reviewing the publication proposals and contract drafts. Special thanks are due to Dean Higginbotham for his legal review of the contract details. At the University of Iowa, State Archaeologist Beth Pauls facilitated the journal's transfer to MAC, Inc., and Susan Pauley and Debra Harland are helping with the logistical details of the move to AltaMira. Mitch Allen and the other AltaMira Press and Rowman & Littlefield staff have shown consideration, patience, and professionalism. We look forward to working with them, and we look forward to this new and promising era in the life of both MCJA and MAC, Inc. More information about AltaMira Press is available at: www.altamirapress.com
William Green William A. Lovis
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