Guidelines for Authors

Submission Requirements

Originality

Manuscripts must be original works not previously published or under consideration for publication elsewhere. All authors must declare their contributions and potential conflicts of interest.

Language

Manuscripts should be written in clear, concise English. Non-native speakers are encouraged to have their manuscripts professionally edited before submission.

Scope

Contributions should address topics in morphology, morphogenesis, or mathematical physics. Interdisciplinary approaches are welcome when they advance understanding of form.

Length

Standard articles should be 5,000-10,000 words (excluding references). Research notes can be shorter. Longer manuscripts may be accepted if justified by content.

Peer Review

All submissions undergo peer review by at least two independent experts. The review process typically takes 3-6 months. Authors will be notified of the editorial decision and reviewer feedback.

Manuscript Format

Structure

Manuscripts should follow this general structure:

Title - Clear, descriptive, and concise
Authors and Affiliations - Include full names, emails, and institutional affiliations
Abstract - 150-250 words summarizing key findings
Keywords - 5-8 keywords for indexing
Introduction - Context and research questions
Methods/Materials - Sufficient detail for reproducibility
Results - Clear presentation of findings
Discussion - Interpretation and implications
Acknowledgments - Funding and contributors (optional)
References - Complete citations (see below)

Formatting Details

Font: Times New Roman or similar serif font, 12pt
Line spacing: Double-spaced
Margins: 1 inch (2.54 cm) on all sides
Page numbers: Include in footer
Figures and tables: Placed after references with captions

References

Use the Harvard style for citations. Examples:

Journal article: Author, A.B. (Year) 'Title of article', Journal Name, Volume(Issue), pp. XX-XX.
Book: Author, A.B. (Year) Title of Book. Publisher.
Chapter in edited book: Author, A.B. (Year) 'Chapter title', in Editor, C.D. (ed.) Book Title. Publisher, pp. XX-XX.

Download Manuscript Template

To ensure your manuscript meets all formatting requirements, please download and use one of our official templates. Choose the format that best suits your workflow:

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Word Format

Standard Microsoft Word template with pre-formatted styles and guidelines

Download .docx

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LaTeX Template

Complete LaTeX document class for professional typesetting

Download .tex

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Example PDF

Sample formatted paper showing correct style and layout

Download PDF

Questions about the templates? See our FAQ section below or contact the editorial office.

Peer Review Process

Editorial Review

Upon submission, the Editor-in-Chief performs an initial assessment to ensure the manuscript meets basic standards and is within the journal's scope. Manuscripts that do not meet these criteria may be desk-rejected without entering peer review.

Peer Review

Manuscripts that pass initial review are assigned to at least two independent peer reviewers with expertise in the relevant field. Reviewers are asked to evaluate the manuscript's originality, methodology, significance, and presentation.

Editorial Decision

Based on reviewer feedback, the Editor-in-Chief will make one of the following decisions:

Accept: Manuscript accepted without revision
Minor Revisions: Revisions required; usually re-reviewed by editor only
Major Revisions: Significant revisions required; will be re-reviewed by original reviewers
Reject: Manuscript does not meet publication standards

Publication Timeline

The typical timeline from submission to publication is:

Initial review: 2-4 weeks
Peer review: 4-8 weeks
Revisions and final decision: 2-4 weeks
Production and publication: 4-8 weeks

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I submit my manuscript?

A: Please visit our Submit Paper page for detailed submission instructions. Manuscripts can be submitted online through our submission system.

Q: Can I submit my manuscript in a language other than English?

A: We accept submissions in English only. However, we recognize that English may not be the author's first language. Please ensure your manuscript is clearly written and professionally edited.

Q: What is the submission fee?

A: Forma requests a publication contribution fee of 50,000 JPY for accepted papers. This fee helps support the costs of peer review, editing, and open access publication. We appreciate your cooperation in supporting the journal's operations and commitment to open science.

Q: Can I track the status of my manuscript?

A: Yes. You can track your manuscript status through our online system. A tracking number will be provided at submission. You can also check our Submission Status Search.

Q: What are the open access policies?

A: Forma is committed to open science. All accepted manuscripts are made available open access through the J-STAGE platform, typically within 3 months of publication.

Q: Can I submit a paper if I've published a preprint?

A: Yes. Preprints on platforms like arXiv do not prevent submission to Forma. However, the manuscript must not be under consideration elsewhere and must not be previously published in peer-reviewed journals.

Q: How can I appeal a rejection decision?

A: If you believe a rejection decision was made in error, you may submit a formal appeal with detailed responses to reviewer comments. Contact the Editor-in-Chief for the appeals process.

Contact the Editorial Office

For Questions About Submissions

Editorial Office editorial@forma.katachi-jp.com

Submission System Support support@forma.katachi-jp.com

Editor-in-Chief editor@forma.katachi-jp.com

Response time: We aim to respond to all inquiries within 2-3 business days.