When all else fails, read the instructions

~ le number one for getting your manuscript published is to have something worthwhile to say. Rule umber two is to give the editor of your chosen journal what he or she wants. Editors try to make it easy for authors to know how they should present their manuscripts by publishing Instructions for Authors on a regular basis. Some journals publish these in every issue; The MedicalJournal of Australia publishes them twice a year, in January and July, at the start of each new volume. It would really make our day if authors read and used our list of helpful hints (facing page), because there is a reason behind every request we make. For example, last week we received a 4500-word manuscript in single-spaced type, with a single set of illustrations, references in the Harvard style, and a covering letter signed by the author's secretary. Had he read the instructions he would have discovered that our word limit is 2500 for original articles (and has been for some years) and that we require double-spacing (to make it easier to read and allow somewhere to write editorial comments), three sets of illustrations (one to keep in the office and two to send to the referees), references in the Vancouver style (preferred by most biomedical journals) and original signatures (for legal reasons and to indicate that the manuscript was truly approved by all named authors). That author did not do anything to enhance his chances of publication.