It still excites me every time I am notified that one of my articles has been accepted by an academic journal for publication. It also makes me smile when I complete a peer review for an article and can recommend it for publication. I enjoy guiding new writers toward successful publication experiences!
After selecting an idea to write about, it is very important for the writer not only to think about who will be reading the article but also to design the article following the guidelines of the publication where it will be submitted.
It takes time and effort to write an article for an academic journal especially if you're new to nonfiction writing. A critical first step is comparing and understanding the guidelines of various academic journals and what will be required for submission. Submission guidelines vary, as each journal has specific requirements for the length, formatting, and structure of the content that you will be creating. If your submission doesn't fit their requirements, it will be rejected before anyone even reads it. Journal submission guidelines tell you exactly what to submit and how to submit it; to increase the possibility that your article will be published you must follow these guidelines exactly.
Consider your topic and the target reader. Select several journals that focus on the topic you are writing about and the readers you hope to reach. Have you read articles similar to your topic in a specific journal? Are there other journals that focus on the same type of topics or readers that you might also consider? If you want a wider variety of journals, you might also do a search in databases like CINAHL (the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature) and PubMed, or an internet search of organizations for the profession, topic, or specialty you will be writing about.
Once you have at least two potential journals, access their submission guidelines so that you can compare and choose the strongest fit for you and your topic. There is a sample comparison chart at the end of this blog that you are welcome to recreate in your preferred format such as Word, Excel or other. Look at:
What type of article is the journal interested in? Do they prefer research studies, information pieces or case studies? Does the article you are writing fit what the journal publishes?
What is the word count? Most guidelines will tell you the minimum and maximum word count you are allowed to submit. Too many or too few words often lead to an automatic rejection.
What structure do they require? This usually includes font size, line spacing, headings, citation style, and other specific requirements such as an abstract, or introductory paragraph.
What citation style do they require? Every journal has a preferred citation style. For example, in nursing APA referencing is common. In chaplaincy, many journals prefer Chicago style references. Does the journal you're considering want footnotes? A submission that does not follow reference citation style will often be automatically rejected.
What is the actual submission process? Many journals now use online submission systems. Look at the system requirements before it is time to submit and gather all the necessary required documents such as a cover letter or author bio. It is very frustrating to start the submission process and realize you do not have all of the necessary forms to upload so that the system will let you submit.
Look through several issues of the journals you are considering and read the table of contents and their articles. Do not skip this important step! You don’t have to read cover-to-cover, but at least read enough to be sure that your style and content will fit the publication. This may lead you to revise your article before submitting or to looking for a different journal
This may sound like an arduous process, but it will save you time in the long run and also increase your chances of publication. The good news is that it gets faster and easier over time. It is never wrong to contact a journal's editorial office for clarification about their submission guidelines or to ask about their interest in your topic.
Use these column headings to create a Journal Comparison Chart:
Journal Name: Add the names of the journals you are considering.
Article Type: List the types of articles the journal accepts (e.g., research, review, case study).
Word Count: List the minimum and/or maximum word count allowed.
Referencing Style: Add the required citation style (e.g., APA, AMA, Chicago).
Reader Focus: Who is the primary reader of the journal (e.g., clinical professionals, researchers, educators).
Submission Deadline: Write down the submission deadlines, especially for journals with specific cut-off dates.
Open Access Options: Indicate whether the journal offers open access options and any associated fees.
Formatting Requirements: Note ALL formatting rules (e.g., font type, size, spacing).
Special Issues: If the journal has any special issues or themes relevant to your article.
Ethical Requirements: Ethical considerations, such as IRB approval or specific guidelines.
Your chart should look like the example below. Add a new row each time you research a new journal.
Journal Name | Article Type | Word Count | Referencing Style | Reader Focus | Submission Deadline | Open Access Options | Formatting Requirements | Special Issues | Ethical Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Journal 1 | Research, Review, etc. | Max: 4,000 | APA | Clinical | Rolling | Yes (with fee) | Font: Times New Roman, 12 pt, 1.5 spacing | Topic: Patient Care | IRB approval needed |
Looking for a mentor? Email Sharon@SharonTHinton.com for information about free writing groups, book coaching, and writer mentoring services.
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