Nonlinear guided waves: Preface

This special issue presents a collection of experimental and theoretical research in nonlinear waves, with emphasis on nonlinear optics, which were presented at the conference Nonlinear Guided Waves VIII held at the Hotel Victoria, Oaxaca, Mexico in April 2016. This preface provides a short history of the conference series Nonlinear Guided Waves and short introductions to the contributed papers which puts them in context.