TL;DR for BISS extended abstracts

Last updated 12 August 2025

For those already familiar with extended abstract submission in BISS, this high level summary provides relevant links to the complete instructions for submitting 2025 extended abstracts.

TL;DR, or “too long; didn’t read” is an example of slang or jargon, which we’ve told you not to use. Do what we say, not what we do!

Deadline

The deadline for the submission of extended abstracts is 1 October 2025. Abstracts in draft after 1 October and never submitted for review will not be considered for publication.

Getting started

1. Register for Living Data 2025. Presenters should have registered by 31 July.
2. You must have an abstract accepted for an in-person, virtual, or on-demand presentation to be eligible to submit an extended abstract for publication.
3. See “Why submit an extended abstract in BISS”
4. Extended abstracts will appear in the 2025 collection
   1. log-in or register for an account with Pensoft
   2. whitelist communications from pensoft.net
5. Begin a new abstract using the Start Living Data 2025 Conference Abstract button on BISS homepage
6. Return to an existing abstract in ARPHA

Abstract required fields

1. Collection - essential that this field be filled in once you start a new abstract; it should match the session where the abstract is presented
2. Title - title case - select MLA as style guide
3. Author(s) - distinctions between submitting and corresponding author(s)
4. Abstract - English or Spanish; expand acronyms at first use (see new policy on acronyms and abbreviations); URL use; editorial help
5. Keywords - separate with comma and space; capitalize only proper nouns
6. Presenting author - just the name as it appears as an author
7. Presented at - Living Data 2025 (no more, no less)
8. Conflicts of interest - mark yes, only if Gail Kampmeier or Elycia Wallis are co-authors

Abstract optional fields

1. References, figures, tables, supplementary materials
2. Acknowledgements
   1. Funder
   2. Funding program
   3. Grant title
   4. Hosting institution

Ready to submit for technical review

1. Please proof-read carefully
2. Verify that all authors agree with content provided
3. Click the Validate button - only the number of characters should appear; fix anything that does not validate
4. Submitting author should click the Submit for Technical Review button by the submission deadline
5. Abstract status is “in pre-submission review” while in the hands of reviewers/editors

Feedback and revisions

1. Reviewed abstract will be returned to submitting author (emailed from awt@pensoft.net)
2. Abstract status is “draft”
3. Authors have access to make changes suggested by and respond to questions from reviewers/editors using Track Changes and/or Comments
4. Revise and repeat steps in “Ready to submit for review”
5. May be an iterative process

Finalize and submit to journal

1. Email announces that editors have approved your abstract for submission
2. Verify that all information is correct, including name of presenting author
3. Click the Validate button - no lingering issues; number of characters should not exceed 6000
4. The Submit to the journal button initiates a long checklist of submission steps (only the submitting author sees this button). This checklist will include payment details for non-TDWG members.
5. Should receive email confirming successful submission; if none, check dashboard to see if abstract status is “incomplete” and resolve.
6. At publication, receive another email

Help and other FAQ

1. Before contacting editor@tdwg.org or journals@pensoft.net with questions, be sure to read full documentation
2. list of ARPHA-related FAQ