Understanding the Editorial Process
Understanding the manuscript submission process is essential for successfully navigating the journey from draft to publication. This section provides valuable insights into the stages of submission, including what various responses from the editorial office signify. It also covers important considerations for revising and resubmitting your manuscript, helping you effectively address feedback and increase your chances of acceptance. Whether you are submitting for the first time or preparing for a resubmission, this guide offers essential advice to ensure your manuscript is as polished as possible throughout the editorial process.
Submitting Your Manuscript
Understanding the general submission process and what happens “behind the scenes” at a journal will help you to be prepared for your own manuscript submission. In advance of your submission, identify the standard practices for writing a cover letter and selecting reviewers.
Key Qualities of Accepted Papers
- Topic of Sufficiently Broad Interest
- Well-Designed and Executed Study
- Statistically Sound
- Data Not Over-Interpreted
- Well-Written
- May Have a Lasting Impact on the Field
The Five Components of a Cover Letter
- Essence of Study
- Briefly Highlight Importance and Relevance
- Authorship Statement
- Not Published Elsewhere
- Suggested Reviewers and “Please Avoid” List
Responses from the Editorial Office
When you receive a response from the editorial office, it is not always clear what your next steps should be. Learn how to decode and respond to the letters that you receive.
Put it into Practice
Reflect on the questions below before you submit your manuscript. Spend time thinking about and researching your own answers, and review this question list with your mentors and colleagues.
- What should be included in the cover letter that you submit along with your manuscript?
- What are the typical next steps if your manuscript is accepted by a journal?
- If your manuscript is not accepted, when and how should you revise and resubmit your manuscript?
- How should you handle rejections from a journal?