A Special Issue is a collection of articles that concentrate on a topical research area within the scope of a journal. It provides a targeted, timely, and insightful context that is often well-received and an excellent way to spotlight your research.
Publishing your research in a Special Issue gives you the opportunity to collaborate with leading researchers, gain insights from expert guest editors and the editorial team, and reach a wide, engaged audience.
Learn the process of submitting your manuscript to a Special Issue as an author.
To find the most suitable Special Issue for your research, start by finding the ideal journal through Wiley’s Journal Finder. Compare journals side by side and explore details like Journal Impact Factor ™, full-text views, preprints, and more.
Once you've narrowed down the journal, visit its homepage and browse the Special Issues or Call for Papers sections to find Special Issues currently accepting submissions.
You may have only three manuscripts under review at a time. If you already have three manuscripts under review, you must wait for at least one to complete the review process before submitting another.
Rest assured that all articles submitted to Special Issues undergo the same rigorous peer review process as other journal article submissions.
Qualified researchers with expertise matching the topic of your manuscript review your submission
Each submission is evaluated according to Wiley’s strict publishing ethics guidelines
We approve only articles that meet the highest standards
Articles must follow the same policies as described in the journal's Author Guidelines
Special Issues are subject to extensive review, ensuring your work is part of a trusted and impactful body of research. These rigorous reviews contribute meaningful insights to the field and serve as a reliable reference for future research. Participating in a Special Issue means contributing to a carefully curated collection of studies, each rigorously reviewed and selected for its importance and impact.
Articles in Special Issues undergo the same peer review process as other journal articles. All submissions must be peer reviewed prior to publication.
As a Guest Editor, you might manage the peer review process within the editorial system and make editorial recommendations based on at least two independent referee reports.
Adherence to publishing ethics guidelines is crucial during peer review management.
Investigate any potential conflicts of interest thoroughly. If a submission is from a Guest Editor, the Editor-in-Chief will oversee the review process.
Special Issues should not have more than 25% of their overall content authored by the Editor in Chief, Editorial Board members, or Guest Editors. To prevent conflicts of interest, papers authored by Guest Editors cannot be handled by the Guest Editorial team. The Editor-in-Chief will independently handle the review process.
To ensure ethical handling, promptly identify and report any potential conflicts of interest to Wiley, especially if you have co-authored with or shared affiliations with the manuscript authors.
Do not request authors to cite works solely to inflate citations for your or an associate's work or specific journals. Avoid submitting manuscripts with the primary intent of increasing citation counts.
For comprehensive details, refer to Wiley’s Best Practice Guidelines on Publishing Ethics.
Upon acceptance, manuscripts proceed to production, appearing online before being included in a journal issue. Depending on the issue type, the Editor in Chief or Guest Editor may need to determine the article order for inclusion and any necessary editorial content.
Special Issues demand significant time and management. Wiley’s Strategic Content Acquisition Team assists with commissioning tasks, including:
Identifying and inviting authors for contributions
Sending follow-ups and reminders to contributors
Addressing unresponsive authors and finding replacements if necessary
Assessing the usage, downloads, and citation impact of the Special Issue