Editors

Three types of editors work in H-Net:

1. List editors manage, edit, and support listserv discussion lists. They moderate discussions, edit posts, solicit and commission contributions, manage subscriptions, work with H-Net to develop and implement editing policies and practices, and directly post messages to the subscribers of their lists. The tasks of list editors can vary with the practices and division of labor for individual networks and can include directed service as a subscription editor, a contributing editor for specialized assignments and features, or as an administrative editor charged with developing local editorial policies. List editors must have strong field qualifications for the subject covered by the list; be able to send, receive, and edit electronic mail on a reliable and regular basis; be able to manage listserv, the mail distribution software that H-Net uses. H-Net provides basic training in the use of listserv and provides limited support for a range of mail programs used in list editing. For a description of our general posting and subscription management guidelines, click here.
2. Review editors are recruited to work directly with specific lists. They solicit reviewers, edit reviews, work with online list editors to post reviews to their lists, work with reviewers, authors, and publishers to develop reviews and special feature pieces on materials in print or other media forms. Review editors must have strong field qualifications for the subject covered by the list; be able to send, receive, and edit electronic mail on a reliable and regular basis; if necessary to their duties, be able to manage listserv, the mail distribution software that H-Net uses. H-Net provides basic training in the use of listserv. Reviews are first published on an individual list and may then be submitted for wider circulation through H-Review and at the H-Net Reviews web site. Some lists have multiple review editors assigned to specific fields or subjects.
3. Web editors manage and edit world wide web sites related to specific subjects or lists. They develop and store multimedia content that supports teaching, professional development, and research, create new features and design elements, monitor and where necessary update information stored at the site, link list content to the web through the reprinting of special threads and discussions. Web editors must have strong field qualifications for the subject covered by the list or web site; be able to send, receive, and edit electronic mail on a reliable and regular basis; have a working knowledge of html as appropriate, along with any necessary unix or file management skills.
4. In all cases, H-Net encourages the formation of teams of editors across disciplines, professional ranks, and interests.

Procedure for applying to the council for certification

• as a list or web editor: Fill out the Editor Application Form
• as a review editor: Fill out the Review Editor Application Form

All editor-nominees (list, web, review) must originate and send their own nomination materials. It is important for us to be able to verify email addresses and confirm a nominee's availability. Nominations sent by other parties will cause delays as we contact the nominee for verification.

1. A message signed by the nominee:
   • accepting the nomination;
   • providing complete and current contact information (including a reliable email address);
   • acknowledging the two-year term commitment and agreeing to serve in accordance with H-Net's Constitution, bylaws, and policies;
   • briefly stating field qualifications (please do not send a full CV unless requested by the Council or the executive director). This can be a concise statement of pertinent publications, service, or teaching experience that demonstrates to the nonspecialist that the nominee is sufficiently acquainted with the field to be able to act as an editor;
   • a brief statement of the nominee's intended editorial style and plans to advance the list, or web site, as appropriate.
   • Nominees for review editor should consider the following qualities that we deem desirable for this post, and indicate how you satisfy at least two of them.
2. In the case of a current, operating list, a message (to vp-publications@mail.h-net.msu.edu in the case of review editors, and to vp-net@mail.h-net.msu.edu in the case of the others) signed by one of the current list editors:
   • nominating the proposed editor;
   • confirming that the nominee has been approved by the current advisory board

What happens next after nomination?
Once a nomination has been received and its information is complete, it is submitted directly to the current Chair of the H-Net Council, who in turn sends it to the committee. Certification by the committee normally occurs one week after submission by the Chair. Nominees are then notified of their appointment by an H-Net officer (usually the Associate Director), who also directs them to the H-Net training site or other resource to enable them to begin their duties. Newly-appointed editors should always confirm their appointment with the on-duty or lead editor for their list. Notifications will also be copied to the current list address.

Please do not begin editing a list or web site until after you have been notified that the Council has certified you as an editor. If you have not received training to use listserv or you are just beginning your work as a web editor or book review editor, please note the contact information in the notification letter.

Contacts for more information:

• List editing: contact the Associate Director.
• Book review editing: contact the H-Net Book Reviews office, or view the H-Net Reviews site for more information.
• Web editing: contact the on-duty editor for the list you wish to be associated with, by writing to the list's address. Click here for a List of Discussion Lists.