Life after training: how we support our editors

Exploring the many support options on offer following your initial editorial system training

No matter how effectively you operate as an editor and how experienced you might be, you will encounter situations from time to time with which you need assistance. For content or role-based issues, your Publisher is always your best point of contact, but it may well be that the problem you face is a technical one, or something to do with the editorial system you use to manage submissions. Maybe you’ve simply forgotten how to do something, or perhaps you’re wondering if there’s a better way of achieving a certain aim.

Starting off on the right foot

As editor, there are many support options available to you. Making good use of these resources is essential for the efficient running of a journal, and usually, when it comes to working in the editorial system for your journal, be it EVISE, EES, or Editorial Manager (EM), signing up for a training session with an editorial submission system expert is the best place to start .

With training available in English, Spanish, French and Mandarin and slots in most time zones, Monday-Friday, Elsevier’s editorial system training team is composed of experienced editorial submission system experts, located across the globe to ensure availability for all. The team operates using a bespoke system training calendar opens in new tab/window which you can use to sign-up to a 45-60 min. training session at your convenience.Here are a selection of feedback comments from users:

It is probably the quickest way to get familiar with the new system.

Giving me control of his computer was efficient so it's not just "look what I'm doing", but "do it yourself so you can learn", which I liked

It is really very useful for a new editor

This is all very well, but what happens if a problem you encounter comes well after that initial training, when you’re going solo in the editorial system? That onboarding session might be a dim memory now, so where do you turn for support at this remove? Thankfully, regardless of the precise issue you’re facing, Elsevier has your back.

Though the most appropriate type of support option will depend on the journal’s workflow and the exact nature of your query, there are many support channels at your disposal. We’ll lay out the main ones here, but should none quite match your needs, you can always check in with your Publisher who will be able to point you in the right direction…

Journal Article Publishing Support Center

The Journal Article Publishing Support Center opens in new tab/window has a wealth of knowledge no matter what the issue. From here, you can search for self-help articles on a multitude of topics ranging from the EES, EVISE and EM retention policies to how to interpret plagiarism reports and how to look for reviewers.

What’s more, the Support Center offers bespoke assistance 24/7 via email opens in new tab/window and online chat opens in new tab/window. If you would rather speak to someone directly, call back opens in new tab/window and telephone opens in new tab/window options are available Monday-Friday.

Editor quick guides

Editor quick guides are available for Editorial Manager opens in new tab/window, EVISE opens in new tab/window and EES opens in new tab/window providing a step-by-step guide to the key tasks in the editorial workflow.

Your Journal Manager

Your Journal Manager (JM) is also a key source of support, of course. JMs are highly experienced individuals who, in addition to overseeing the day-to-day running of the journal, also provide operational support to editors, reviewers and authors. In many ways they will be your first port of call in normal business hours and will be happy to leverage their wealth of experience to help resolve your issue. They can also interface with additional sources of information and advice internally if your query requires more specialist intervention.

Question & answer session

Hindsight is a great thing. You might enjoy a great initial training session but if it takes a few weeks to encounter your first submission, you might realise there were questions you should have asked, or complexities you hadn’t envisaged. Whether this is the case or you simply have a few questions about the editorial system, you can sign-up to an additional “Q&A session” in the same way as the initial training session by using the training booking calendar opens in new tab/window. When the trainer confirms your session, simply let the trainer know that you are looking to have a Q&A rather than the full walk-through. These sessions can be much more editor-led than the initial session, allowing you to drive the agenda you want and helping you to emerge with the knowledge to forge ahead with your editorial work.

In summary

We hope that the above has been useful in understanding what support is at your disposal following that initial training session. As you can see, there are the various options available to you so you should always feel well catered for whatever your issue.

We’re always reviewing our support services to ensure you’re getting the best experience but if you have any suggestions, do let us know via the comments below or raise this directly with your Publisher or JM.