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Editors’ Vox is a blog from AGU’s Publications Department.
During Open Access Week in October 2023, AGU and the Geological Society of London announced their new partnership and the launch of GeoHorizons, an open access book series focused on solution-based science.
In celebration of Open Access Week 2024 and its theme of “Community Over Commercialization” we asked Jenny Lunn, Director of Publications at AGU, and David Boyt, Head of Editorial Development at the Geological Society, about GeoHorizons and what it offers for scientists interested in sharing their work.
Tell us about the GeoHorizons series. What are its aims and scope?
DB: GeoHorizons is a new book series collaboration between the AGU and the Geological Society of London. By taking an open access-first approach, the series aims to broaden research accessibility and reusability. Topic areas could include (but are not limited to) climate change, resource management, sustainable development goals, natural hazards, machine learning and technological advancements.
JL: The geosciences are directly connected to critical issues facing the planet and its people, such as climate change, natural disasters, water supply, food security, biodiversity, and energy resources. We want to commission new books that present scientific insights into the challenges facing humanity. Equally, we want to look forward—hence “Horizons” in the title—with the hope that science can find solutions to many of these problems and ensure a more sustainable future for life on Earth.
What is the value in publishing an open access book?
JL: Open access means that anyone can find, read, and use the material in the book. Most importantly, making scientific information freely available can accelerate scientific progress and enable science to be used to address real-world issues. Free access is particularly beneficial for people who have difficulties accessing scientific literature through libraries or subscriptions due to cost or location. It also makes important content available beyond scientists to broader audiences who may find it useful, such as policymakers, teachers, and local communities.
Open access is also of great benefit to authors. Data show that work published open access is, on average, more downloaded and more cited than work that is not open access, so authors get more visibility and impact for their scientific work.
Are there special features of the GeoHorizons series that might be of particular interest to prospective Volume Editors or Authors?
With the GeoHorizons series, accepted chapters can be made available online within a week of acceptance.
JL: We are particularly excited by the “online first” publication model. The process of producing a book can be quite long. Usually all chapters need to be accepted before the entire manuscript can enter the production phase on its way to publication. With the GeoHorizons series, accepted chapters can be made available online within a week of acceptance, and a final version of the whole volume will be compiled later once all chapters have been accepted. This ensures that scientists get their work published faster.
DB: In addition to the online first publication model, other distinctive characteristics of the series include:
- open access options to meet a variety of mandates and funding levels;
- support from knowledgeable publishing staff throughout entire process;
- writing and editing guidance from experienced members of AGU’s and the Geological Society’s books editorial committees;
- all volumes published both online and in print
- inclusion in the renowned Lyell Collection (online publications platform) alongside publications dating from 1840 to present; and
- marketing and promotion, including direct to AGU and Geological Society membership, as well as to wider communities.
Are there Transformational Agreements or other discount schemes associated with GeoHorizons?
Corresponding authors at participating institutions can publish in the series at no cost through open access transformative agreements.
DB: Yes! Corresponding authors at participating institutions can publish in the series at no cost through open access transformative (or “read-and-publish”) agreements.
Institutional agreements are part of a broader program of funding support options offered through GeoHorizons, which also includes full waivers of Article Processing Charges for authors in lower- and middle-income countries, through a partnership with the Research4Life initiative.
The open access landscape is evolving rapidly, and AGU and Geological Society teams are on hand to assist editors and authors with queries, including advice on funder mandates, sources of funding, and waivers and discounts. To learn more, or share your questions, please contact a member of the publishing team via the contact information below.
What advice would you give someone who has an idea for a new book?
JL: We’d love to hear from you! Whether your idea is vague or fully developed, please get in touch. A one-page concept note or outline is often a great starting point for these conversations.
DB: Our teams of publishing staff and Editorial Boards are on hand to provide advice and help develop those ideas into fully formed proposals. As you progress to formalizing your idea, check out the GeoHorizons proposal form for details on the information required for a proposal.
Please email either of us at the addresses below for further support and advice on developing your idea into a book proposal.
This year’s Open Access Week theme is “Community Over Commercialization.” How do you interpret this theme in relation the GeoHorizons series?
DB: This year’s theme has a strong resonance for the GeoHorizons series on a few different levels. First, the subject scope of GeoHorizons focuses on global community, the challenges that we face, and the role that the Earth sciences play in meeting these challenges.
Our role is to work with scientists to publish and disseminate their science, not to make profit from scientists and their work.
JL: I’d add that this partnership between AGU and the Geological Society also embodies “Community Over Commercialization.” As nonprofit scientific societies, we exist to deliver activities, resources, and services for our community, made up of researchers, lecturers, students, teachers, practitioners, and more. For example, publishing fees are designed to cover production costs but will not deliver a profit for either society. Our role is to work with scientists to publish and disseminate their science, not to make profit from scientists and their work.
DB: Well said. The AGU and the Geological Society are organizations whose structure, governance, and activities are for and by members of the community. As society publishers, the provision of support to our communities, via our activities and programs, is a foundation of our operational and business models.
Quite simply, we are our communities!
—David Boyt, Head of Editorial Development, Geological Society of London, (editorialoffice@geolsoc.org.uk; 
0000-0003-4099-396X); and Jenny Lunn, Director of Publications, American Geophysical Union (books@agu.org; 0000-0002-4731-6876)
Citation: Boyt, D., and J. Lunn (2024), What’s on the horizon for open access geoscience books?, Eos, 105, https://doi.org/10.1029/2024EO245027. Published on 16 October 2024.
This article does not represent the opinion of AGU, Eos, or any of its affiliates. It is solely the opinion of the author(s).
Text © 2024. The authors. CC BY-NC-ND 3.0
Except where otherwise noted, images are subject to copyright. Any reuse without express permission from the copyright owner is prohibited.
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