How to Get your Paper Published: Confessions of an Editor

Preparing the manuscript First, most successful writers would agree that allowing time for rewriting is the key to success in having your work accepted. Always allow yourself sufficient time for rewriting the manuscript several times. Although Mozart reportedly wrote many of his major symphonies without revising a single note, most writers will write three or four versions before the final version is submitted. Everyone has his or her own approach for writing the first draft. Some may concentrate on using the traditional structure to develop the manuscript while others write a structured abstract or do the results section first. Second, consider using figures instead of tables. One picture is indeed better than a thousand words, but play fair with the reader. There are lots of tricks one can use to minimize or emphasize a finding, such as by simply changing the scales on the xand y-axes. Finally, ask one or two colleagues to read an early draft. If possible, involve someone not directly in the field that can point out when you lapse into jargon. For many journals, the readership may be interested in your topic, but it must be simplified for them. Limit the discussion to no more than three pages. Focus on the major findings.