Getting Published (Part Two)
In part one of this column, we addressed some general issues about “getting started” in the publication process. To read part one, go to the spring 2012 edition of the newsletter via the link at the bottom of the page. In part two, we are providing some additional suggestions to keep you moving forward with your scholarly writing.
Always Write
It’s rare that you’re going to have large blocks of time to work on nothing but publications. We’re often juggling classes, comprehensive exams, dissertations, families, and lots of other commitments. Even when we do have large blocks of time, we’re often not as productive as we hoped we would be. So, we need to be proactive about establishing a writing routine if we want to publish in addition to all of the requirements we’re completing for our degree. This can be as little as 30 minutes a day. You will be surprised how much you can accomplish! It’s often helpful if you can set aside a specific time each day when you know your brain is at its best (i.e. in the morning, afternoon, etc.). Take a few days to observe and experiment with how you feel and work at different times. Once you’ve figured out what time works best, block out that time like you would any other meeting or appointment. If publishing is important to you, it’s important to treat it that way in regards to how you spend your time. Writing every day also keeps projects fresh in your mind and allows you to pick up where you left off more easily. Finally, set specific time increments to write before you even consider taking a break to ensure you stay on track.
Realistic Timelines
No matter what type of publication you are writing it’s important to understand how long it will realistically take to complete- from first draft to final publication. Your time is limited so you want to make sure you’re making the most of it. You don’t want to spend months on something like a book review or encyclopedia entry, that is not going to be as valuable as a first author peer-reviewed article in a well-known journal. You also want to get an idea of how long the writing and publication process takes. Talk with faculty about their writing and publication process. How long does it take them to write an article? Does it differ based on if they are doing qualitative or quantitative research? How many drafts do they go through before they’re ready to submit it to a journal? Do certain journals take longer to review submissions? What is the typical turnaround time for a revise and resubmit? How long is it between acceptance of an article and publication? You’ll be sure to hear a wide range of experiences, but will hopefully be able to pull out some common themes. The goal is not to develop a rigid timeline, but instead help you get a better idea of how to plan your writing time and how to keep multiple projects going so you always have something at each stage of the publication process.
Be Strategic about Where You Submit
When you applied to graduate school you most likely did some research. You looked at the faculty in the department, what type of research they do, and how many people they accept. You wanted to find the best fit for your interests, a place you could succeed, and where you could realistically be admitted. The same process is necessary when deciding what journal to submit your article to. If your article is mostly qualitative, you probably don’t want to submit it to a journal where 95% of the articles are quantitative. Or if your article has a lot of specific recommendations for policy or practitioners, you may want to send it to a journal that has a broader reach than just academia. Do some research on the all the possible journals your work may fit into (including subfield and specialty journals). What types of articles are included? What topics do they cover? How long are the articles? What is the journal’s impact factor (how widely is it cited in the field?) It’s also helpful to know the acceptance rates of journals (the percentage of articles submitted that are published). While it’s always good to reach high, this can help you have realistic expectations of your chances of getting published and sometimes lessen the sting of rejection. Also, being strategic will save you time in the long run as it typically takes months to hear back from a review. Therefore, to avoid wasting months to only hear that your article was not the right fit for a particular journal – it is more worthwhile to hedge your bets in the best way possible before submission by doing this type of research.
Look for Opportunities
In addition to being strategic about where you submit your writing, you also want to seek out unique opportunities to publish your work. Many times journals will have special topic issues or editors are seeking contributors for a book on a special topic. Sometimes, editors will even contact YOU after you present on a particular topic at a conference – another great opportunity to get your work out there! These are all good opportunities to make sure your work is part of the current scholarly conversation and a chance to work and network with others doing similar work. Signing up for emails lists and newsletters as well as professional networking can help keep you informed of new opportunities to share your work.