Submitting your paper

After submitting your paper to a publisher:

• expect at least three months to elapse before you hear from them
• contact the editor to confirm receipt of the article after one month
• use the tracking service if there is one
• contact the publisher again after six months (or within specified turn around time) if you have still not heard from them

See the review process from a sample journal for a better understanding of the submit and review cycle.

Scenarios

The following scenarios may happen to you! They are common experiences of the publication process.

If you are unsuccessful…

• figure out what went wrong (quality, wrong journal, research politics etc) – the peer review checklist may help
• make use of your research network – talk to peers and colleagues
• try again somewhere else
• make constructive use of the reviewers' feedback

If you are encouraged by the editor or reviewers to revise and resubmit, you should definitely do so.

• Look carefully at the comments made by reviewers.
• Contact the editor if you have questions about their comments.
• Share the review with a colleague/s. They may be able to suggest how to approach the revision process.
• Have a schedule when your rework your paper to maintain your energy.
• Check that you have dealt successfully with reviewers' concerns.
• Include a cover letter with your resubmission acknowledging the changes made, and your reasons for not making some of the suggested changes.

Information courtesy of Dr Wendy Bastalich and Dr Debra King (Learning and Teaching Unit), and Garcia, Chadsey and Burbules
Image courtesy of AllFreeLogo