OSA Express Journals' Publication Fee: FAQ

OSA offers an online payment system for authors to pay the publication fee. The secured online payment system will allow authors to pay the fee automatically by credit card, or it will allow authors to create an invoice if they need to pay offline. Articles are held for publication until payment of the fee is received. It is imperative for authors to take responsibility to pay the fee in a timely manner.

How can I pay my publication fee by credit card?

The easiest and fastest way to pay the publication fee is to pay by credit card. After your paper has been accepted for publication, you will receive an email with a link to the publication fee payment page.

1. You must click on the link to access your payment queue.
2. Review your charges and click on the "Proceed to Payment" button.
3. Fill in the credit card information using the online form.
4. Click the "Submit payment" button.

You will be able to print the receipt from the web page, and you will receive a copy of the receipt via email. Once payment is made, you will not be able to access the web page again.

How can I pay my publication fee by check, bank transfer, money order, purchase order, or credit card offline?

You must create an invoice if you need to pay by check, bank transfer, money order, purchase order, or to pay with a credit card offline. After your paper has been accepted for publication, the corresponding author will receive an email with a link to the publication fee payment page. We do not accept purchase orders as payment but we will accommodate your PO on the invoice.

1. You must click on the link to access your payment queue.
2. Review your charges and click on the "Proceed to Payment" button.
3. Select the option to create an invoice to pay offline. You will incur an additional $35 fee.
4. Click the final "Create Invoice" button.

You will be able to print the invoice from the web page, and you will receive a copy of the invoice via email. Once you create an invoice, you will not be able to access the web page again.

How can I get a copy of my invoice?

You will need to create your invoice using the online payment system. Please follow the instructions above to pay offline by check.

Can I split the publication fee with another author?

OSA cannot split the publication fee into two different invoices.

Why doesn't the link work?

If you click on the link from the publication fee email and it does not work or if you are sent to a page that says "There are no documents available for your review," you must make sure you copy and paste the entire link into the address bar of your web browser. If an invoice has been created and/or payment has been made, the web page will no longer be accessible. If you feel this is in error, please contact OSA Finance staff, billing@osa.org or 202-416-1907.

I need a different author's name to appear on the invoice. How can I add a different author?

OSA will bill the corresponding author by default. If you need a different author's name to appear on the invoice, you must contact the OSA Finance staff (billing@osa.org) to change the corresponding author information. Please provide the mailing and email address of the new corresponding author. The new corresponding author will be sent a new publication fee email with a link to payment page.

Can another author or administrator pay for the publication fee?

A different credit card holder can access the payment page to make the payment on behalf of the author; however, the corresponding author's name will appear on the invoice and receipt.

I sent the payment to pay for my publication fee. When will my paper be published?

OSA cannot publish your paper until we receive the full payment of your publication fee. Once we receive the payment in full, your paper will appear in the next available issue. If you paid by check, bank transfer, money order, or purchase order, it could take several weeks for the payment to clear. The fastest way to pay the fee is to pay by credit card.

Is there a way I can guarantee that my paper will be included in the upcoming issue?

There is no guarantee, but it is likely that your paper will be included in the upcoming issue after it has been accepted if you pay the fee immediately by credit card. If you do not pay by credit card, your paper could be delayed for 2 to 3 issues before it will be published.

Where can I find the bank information?

The bank transfer information will be included in the invoice. You will be able to print the invoice from the web page, and you will receive a copy of the invoice via email.

Where can I find OSA's address and fax number to send my payment?

The fax number and address to OSA's Finance Department is included in the invoice.

How do I know if you received my payment?

Please contact OSA's Finance Department to check the status of the payment (see contact information above). You will need to have your invoice number on hand. The invoice number is included on the receipt and on the invoice.

I created an invoice, but now I want to pay by credit card. Do I still have to pay the $35 fee?

Yes, once you create an invoice to pay offline, you will be responsible for all of the charges incurred. There is a credit card form on the invoice that you can complete and fax to OSA's Finance Department, 202/416-1450.

How do I get a receipt?

If you paid the fee by credit card using the online payment system, you can print your receipt from the web page after you submit the credit card information. You will receive the receipt via email too. If you created an invoice to pay by check, bank transfer, money order, purchase order, or credit card offline, you can contact OSA's Finance Department to request a receipt (accrec@osa.org). Please provide the Finance Department your invoice number.

How do I pay my copy editing fee?

The copy editing fee will be added to the publication fee charges, so you will be able to pay for both fees at the same time.

— FAQ updated March 22, 2011