Step 1: Gather information on potential target journals

Your investigation of the target journal provides information that shapes your manuscript, including article length, sections to include, the level of detail expected, key terms and definitions, and formatting guidelines. Then use these considerations to scope and schedule your writing and editing tasks.

(If you are writing with coauthors, see Appendix D of The Writing System textbook for suggestions on scoping and scheduling collaborative writing projects.)

Step 2: Identify your target journal before you start writing. Your main concern in identifying a target journal is a good “fit.”

A journal is a good fit if the journal’s readership aligns with your audience. You can answer some of the questions linked below with a careful search of the journal’s website and submission instructions. You can write your manuscript more efficiently if you know your target journal before you start writing.

To determine if a journal is a good fit, answer these questions:

Step 3: Assess the journal for these secondary concerns

Become familiar with the journal’s citation record and accessibility of information. Some journals require fees from the general public to access or download published articles. You should also know the journal production process. The duration of time between the stages of manuscript acceptance, copyediting, proofing, and final printing can vary based on the journal.

Step 4: Determine which of the target journal’s article types is the best fit for your manuscript

Decide which format can help you best deliver your message to your priority audience. Most journals offer different article types, from standard research articles to brief reports, commentaries, and review articles.

Step 1: Submission

Submit your written document through your chosen journal’s online submission site. The corresponding or lead author will need to register for an account to do this. Once your account is set up, you will be guided through the journal’s submission process.

Step 2: Editorial Review

Your written product will be read by the Editor or Associate Editor to ensure it fits within the aims and scope of the journal. If the chosen journal is academic, the manuscript will then be sent for peer review to consider rigor, quality, originality, and clarity of the study or program discussed therein.

Step 3: First Decision Notification

Following peer review, you’ll find one of the subsequent recommendations. Ultimately, the Editor makes the final decision. All reviewer feedback on the written work is shared with the corresponding (typically lead) author. In instances where the manuscript doesn’t align with the journal’s scope, a desk rejection may occur with the suggestion to transfer to another journal. Below are the types of peer review recommendations:

Step 4: Revisions

The corresponding author will receive an email from the Editor containing the final decision. If asked to make revisions, the Editor will specify the time you have to make either minor or major revisions. For more guidance about navigating reviewers’ comments, please refer to additional resources here and here. After resubmitting your manuscript, it will be reassigned to the same reviewers to check to ensure their comments have been adequately addressed. If adequately addressed, your manuscript will be accepted. If not, you may be asked to perform additional revisions or have your paper rejected.

Step 5: Copyright and Proofs

After acceptance, your manuscript is processed, copyright forms for all authors are distributed and quality checks are done to prepare for PDF proofs. During this process, the journal may contact you to correct formatting issues in tables or supplemental figures via their online proofing system.

Step 6: Early Access and Publication

After proofs have been approved and all copyright permissions received, journals will provide a customized link that provides free early online access to authors. During this early access period before publication, authors may be permitted to order offprints, a separate printing of written product from a larger publication, and manuscripts can be documented as “in press” on curriculum vitae or professional resume. The length of time from official acceptance notification to final publication will vary by journal.