What is the Author Accepted Manuscript (AAM)?

Answered By: Rhav Lutchman
Last Updated: 09 Jul 2025 Views: 1

An author accepted manuscript (AAM) is a version of a research publication that includes any amendments made during the peer-review process, but crucially, has not been typeset or copyedited by the publisher. In most cases this is the only version publishers will allow to be archived in City Research Online (CRO) and other institutional repositories.

It’s usually a Word document, or PDF without publisher logos and copyright statements. It is sometimes referred to as ‘accepted version’ or ‘final author version’.

Infographic description.
Section 1. Before transfer of copyright.

  1. submit article to journal
  2. peer review
  3. edit (steps 2 and 3 may go back and forth)
  4. accepted by publisher.

The pre-print is not an accepted version. The author accepted manuscript is an accepted version.

Section 2. After transfer of copyright.

  1. copy edited and typeset
  2. published online
  3. published in print.

The proofs are not an accepted version. The version of record is not an accepted version.

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