Services for Authors
The Journal offers an editorial-first experience. We begin every relationship with authors with a conversation about their research and publishing intention. Initial consultation and early support are provided under our collaborative model at no cost, because our first responsibility is to see research placed within its right scope — whether or not that place is with this Journal.
A Collaborative, Non-Transactional Model
Most publishing relationships begin by requesting authors to align to the Journal's scope. Ours begins with a 1:1 conversation with authors and the Journal deliberately decouples the transactional model from the publication model: payment terms never enter the conversation about whether a manuscript is sound, novel, or suitable, and it never enters the room where editorial decisions are made. In fact, payments are handled independently of the editorial process and never automated.
Initial consultation and early guidance are offered free under the collaborative model
We establish where the work belongs before we finalise payment details.
Paid author services are handled by a team of experts in science communication.
Pre-Submission Consultation
An Author at before or after submitting a manuscript will receive the option to talk with one of the editors for a consultation. This typically covers:
- The research question and its framing. Whether the contribution is being described in terms an interdisciplinary readership will recognise, and whether the claim being made matches the evidence being offered.
- Track alignment. Which of the Journal’s five Discovery Tracks the work aligns to, and whether the work sits across more than one.
- Article type. Whether the work is best presented as a Research Article, Review, Mini Review, Communication, Commentary, Technical Note, Exploratory Paper, Letter or Poster — a choice that often changes the shape of the writing.
- Readiness. What is already publishable, what needs strengthening, and what is not yet ready to be reviewed by anyone.
- Data, consent and rights. Early flags on supplementary and raw data, third-party rights, ethics approvals and confidentiality obligations, so nothing surfaces late.
Consultation is advisory. It is not a review, it does not pre-approve a manuscript, and it does not guarantee acceptance for publication. We do this help first authors publish their work on JQBio. We cannot provide advice for publishing with other journals.
Finding the Right Scope for the Research
Quantum biosystems engineering is a developing field, and like a lot of other journals, a great deal of good work arrives mis-scoped. We would rather spend an hour helping an Author reframe a study than reject it for a reason that was visible on day one. This is what separates us from other publishers.
- Right scope, right venue. Where the work is stronger elsewhere, we say so plainly and, where we can, we point to the kind of venue that would serve it better. We consider that a successful consultation.
- Right scope, wrong shape. Frequently the science is sound but the article type, structure or claim is mismatched. We help the Author reshape it before it reaches reviewers.
- Right scope, not yet. Some work needs another experiment, another dataset, or simply more time. We say that early, and we welcome the Author back.
Our Aims & Scope and Author Guidelines set out the same ground in written form, and are the best preparation for a consultation.
Determining Next Steps Together
A consultation closes with a shared view of what happens next. Nothing is imposed, and nothing commits the Author to the Journal.
| Proceed to submission | The work is in scope and ready. We agree the Track, the article type and the intended release (pre-print, pre-release, or placement in a Volume). |
| Develop before submitting | We agree a short list of what would strengthen the work, with no deadline attached. The Author returns when ready. |
| Reshape the contribution | The same evidence is redirected into a more appropriate article type, often an Exploratory Article, Technical Note or Commentary piece. |
| Place elsewhere | The work is better served by another publsher; we say so and explain why. If the author(s) still wishes to submit, they need to ensure content aligns to our scope and quantum relevance. |
The stages that follow a submission are described in How we publish.
Optional Paid Services
Separately, and only where an Author wants them, the Publisher offers production services. They are elective, priced openly, and carry no weight whatsoever in editorial or peer review outcomes.
Pre-Submission Consultation Scope, track and article-type guidance, readiness assessment and next steps. Provided under the collaborative model. | No charge |
Language Editing & Manuscript Formatting English language, grammar, style, formatting, references and manuscript presentation prior to publication (excludes changes or alternations to the scientific content). | £250 |
Fast-Track Editorial Processing Pay for priority editorial handling and coordination of peer review (where reviewer availability permits). Choosing this option does not mean the article will be released as a single issue unless requested. Does not influence reviewer selection, editorial decisions or acceptance outcomes. | £650 |
Article Processing Charge on acceptance Charged only after an independent decision to accept. Group 1 covers academic and research impact, Group 2 covers professional and industry, and Group 3 is the subsidised rate for independent and researchers with limited. | See Fee Policy |
What a Fee Never Buys
- Never acceptance. No payment, at any stage, influences the decision to accept, revise or reject. Decisions rest on scientific quality, originality and fit alone.
- Never a reviewer. Reviewer selection is made by the editorial office and is not visible to, or influenced by, any commercial arrangement.
- Never authorship or content. We do not write, ghostwrite, generate or manufacture results.
- Never priority in review outcome. Fast-Track affects only administrative handling speed, and only where reviewer availability allows.
Requesting a Consultation
Write to the editorial office with a short description of the work, the question it answers, and where you believe it sits. A working title and a few paragraphs are enough; a full manuscript is not required.
Material shared in a consultation is treated as confidential and handled under the Journal’s Data Availability Policy. It is not circulated, indexed, or used for any purpose other than advising the Author.