Please be aware that the information provided on this page constitutes the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or Agreement or Contract between Sierra Leonean Writers Series (SLWS) and our authors. By choosing to proceed with your publication with us after reviewing the details on this policy page, you are acknowledging and agreeing to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

If your book is recommended by the SLWS Advisory Board for consideration, we will require that you send us a signed copy of these policies to confirm your acceptance.

1. Please note that Sierra Leonean Writers Series (SLWS) primarily publishes electronically. Once a manuscript is fully processed, it first becomes available on Amazon.com, allowing for global ordering.

2. SLWS does not handle distribution for orders made directly from Amazon.com. However, authors do receive royalties for books purchased from Amazon, amounting to 10% of the payment made to SLWS by Amazon. Royalty reports and payments are currently issued only when a book's earnings reach a minimum of $100.

3. Authors have the option to order books through SLWS at a price potentially lower than that listed on Amazon.com, excluding shipping costs determined by Amazon. This discounted purchase option is exclusive to authors and these sales do not generate royalties.

   In the Sierra Leonean market, which is challenging for non-prescribed academic books, SLWS prints limited copies for promotional purposes. Authors are encouraged to actively promote their books. SLWS may print and sell certain titles it deems marketable in Sierra Leone through its outlets, informing authors of printed quantities to calculate due royalties.

   For authors interested in printing larger quantities for sale in Sierra Leone, please contact SLWS directly. Please note that such printings are not eligible for royalties.

Sierra Leonean Writers Series (SLWS) is open to and actively encourages co-publishing arrangements with publishers based both in Sierra Leone and abroad. This collaborative approach aims to broaden the reach and impact of our publications.

We have established a partnership with Pampana Communications in Freetown, specifically focusing on the promotion of children's books authored by Sierra Leoneans. This collaboration is part of our commitment to nurturing and showcasing the rich talent in children’s literature within the country.

Additionally, SLWS has successfully co-published with Karantha Publishers, also based in Freetown. These collaborative efforts exemplify our dedication to working alongside local publishers to enhance the diversity and accessibility of literature in Sierra Leone.

Authors who wish to only use the SLWS brand and quality processes including peer-review, may pay a one-off amount of Le5,000 or $250. By so doing authors may print and distribute their books directly.

1. Sierra Leonean Writers Series (SLWS) is open to re-issuing books that have already been published by other publishers. To ensure quality and alignment with our standards, all such books must undergo our review process, beginning with the submission of a book proposal.

   It is mandatory for authors seeking to re-issue their previously published works with SLWS to provide written confirmation, permission, or acceptance from the previous publisher. Alternatively, evidence of the termination of the previous publishing contract must be submitted to SLWS. This documentation is crucial to ensure that there are no legal or contractual conflicts in the re-issuing of the work under SLWS.

1. Royalties are calculated based on net sales from Amazon. SLWS pays authors 10% of the amounts received from Amazon as royalties.

2. It's noteworthy that in the past twenty years, only a few books have earned royalties exceeding $100. Despite this, publishing on Amazon ensures international exposure for our books.

   Royalty reports and payments are scheduled twice a year: in August for the January-June period and in February for the July-December period. Currently, SLWS reports and pays royalties only when they accumulate to at least $100. Any amount below $100 is carried over to the next period until it reaches or exceeds this threshold. Authors who have not received reports from SLWS may contact the publisher. However, it should be assumed that their books have not yet earned a $100 in royalties.

   For edited volumes with multiple editors or authors, such as anthologies, the policy is as follows: (a) 10% of the net royalty of an edited book is paid to the editor or lead author. SLWS does not deal directly with other contributors. (b) Since March 2016, all contributing editors and authors must confirm in writing their acceptance of this policy prior to publication.

   SLWS operates with transparency and accountability. We encourage authors to focus on their writing while we manage all other aspects. You will receive fair compensation in a timely manner. For authors aiming to earn a living from book writing, active participation in promoting and selling your books is crucial.

1. Sierra Leonean Writers Series (SLWS) primarily operates on a Print-on-Demand model. For publication to proceed, authors are required to commit to purchasing a minimum of 30 copies of their book. Out of these, 5 copies will be retained by SLWS for publicity and library submission purposes.

   Contributors to an anthology are eligible for an author's discount when ordering books directly from SLWS. Additionally, SLWS offers discounts to authors who purchase their own books. This policy aims to support our authors in accessing their work while also facilitating the distribution and promotion of their publications.

Publishing with Sierra Leonean Writers Series (SLWS) remains free of charge, especially for non-technical, non-scientific books. We maintain a strong commitment to peer-review and efficient editing to ensure the highest quality of publications.

For technical books, if the author can provide a manuscript that is already peer-reviewed and edited according to our specifications, there will be no cost involved. However, if SLWS is required to typeset the manuscript, this will incur a charge. Authors are encouraged to contact the publisher for more details on this process.

It's mandatory for authors of all accepted book manuscripts to commit to purchasing a minimum of 30 copies of their books, known as 'Buybacks'. 5 of these are retained for publicity and submission to the Sierra Leone Library Board. This commitment allows the printer to offer the books at a more reasonable price, as smaller print quantities tend to be more expensive. Publication will only proceed after authors have made payment for their own books. This policy is part of our effort to balance affordability and quality in the printing process.

1. Sierra Leonean Writers Series (SLWS) strongly advises authors to engage colleagues and friends for feedback on their manuscripts, including the book proposals, before submission. The quality of your book proposal is crucial; a poorly constructed proposal may lead to the rejection of an otherwise excellent manuscript.

   Authors intending to publish with SLWS are required to submit a book proposal. The proposal will undergo a prompt review by select members of the SLWS Editorial Advisory Board to assess the manuscript’s suitability for publication under SLWS.

   If a complete manuscript is already prepared, please attach it to the book proposal. This step can significantly expedite the review process.

   Manuscripts recommended for consideration, particularly scientific or academic texts, must be peer-reviewed by experts who are PhD holders. Authors are expected to revise their work based on the feedback received and demonstrate how reviewers' comments have been addressed. This stringent review process is crucial in ensuring that SLWS publications meet international academic standards.

   Our peer-review process can be either anonymous or identifiable, with reviewers drawn from both Sierra Leone and the international community. Manuscripts submitted by university staff in Sierra Leone will be recognised, especially considering their potential use for academic promotions.

   SLWS collaborates with universities in Sierra Leone to facilitate and support this review process, upholding our commitment to publishing high-quality academic and literary works.

2. Reviewers of scientific texts should submit a review that considers the following TORs: 

   SLWS is an academic and general publisher. External experts aid SLWS in reviewing manuscripts for forthcoming books prior to official publication. Book proposal reviews are usually done internally by SLWS.

   If you are contacted by SLWS to review a book manuscript, it is usually because of your expertise in the topic on which a book manuscript focuses. We value your input and appreciate any additional comments you have on how to improve the work.

   Manuscript Feedback Questions

   One of the first major areas of focus during a manuscript review is the general quality of the book. SLWS often asks for general feedback on the overall quality, scope and readership of the volume and whether the presentation and accessibility of the book is suitable. We will work closely with the specific editors or author(s) of the book to adapt your feedback whenever possible.

   In particular, SLWS editors and authors often find it helpful if manuscript reviewers address the following questions in their responses:

   1. Please summarize your thoughts on the general quality of the manuscript and the table of contents. We are particularly interested in your thoughts on the clarity, accuracy, helpfulness, and accessibility of the material.
   2. What is unique about the book?
   3. What are the book's strengths and weaknesses?
   4. Who do you see as the primary audience for this book? For what level would you use this book in class, if it is an appropriate work for classrooms? How would you envision this book being used by others?
   5. Are all the necessary topics included in the table of contents? Do you have any suggestions for improving the topics or the organization?
   6. Do you know of any available competing books?
   7. If you teach a relevant class, would you adopt the book?

   
   Reviewer Compensation

   In return for your time and input, the authors are encouraged to offer reviewers copies of the published books.

   
   Timeline for Manuscript Review

   If contacted with a request to review a manuscript, it’s best to let SLWS know as soon as possible whether or not you would be willing to take on the project. We usually require at most three weeks to receive your feedback. If you agree to conduct a manuscript review, it is important to return your feedback by this deadline.

   If you do not think that you will have time to review the manuscript by the deadline offered, please let us know at your earliest convenience.

   For more information, please contact:

   Mallam O. 

   SLWS Publisher

   publisher@slwritersseries.org / www.slwritersseries.org

   copy: oasankoh@gmail.com

   WhatsApp: +23279212761

SLWS will primarily publish Sierra Leonean Writers but will also publish writers of all nationalities whose books address issues, themes and concepts that are Sierra Leonean or can be used in Sierra Leone. If in doubt, please contact the Publisher.

1. SLWS will publish first-time and established authors.

2. All authors must submit a book proposal. We do not proceed without a book proposal.

3. SLWS will commission manuscripts, especially for textbooks for schools and tertiary institutions. In this case, SLWS will provide support to commissioned authors.

4. SLWS will publish books for schools, colleges, universities and for the general public.

5. SLWS's review process is stringent and can take much longer than one would expect. Since the manuscripts are for full-length books, authors should expect at least a month for a review to be completed, and that is when we are successful in identifying reviewers. Impatient authors may withdraw their submission and go elsewhere. 

6. SLWS books are available on this website and also on AMAZON for international visibility of our books. We may also use other distributors to sell our books globally.

7. We primarily print-on-demand. However, we try to stock a few copies in bookshops, especially SLWS Bookshops in Sierra Leone.    

8. SLWS books are promoted on this website and on (inter)national book exhibitions, listservs and libraries.

9. We cannot provide financial support for book launches in Sierra Leone. 

10. SLWS wishes to acknowledge the core support from the Sankoh Foundation which funds our core operations.