Advice from a Journal Editor

Abstract

Publication in international refereed journals is now a requirement for career advancement in most countries. The presenter, who edited an applied linguistics journal for 10 years, has observed that manuscripts submitted by many authors are not even sent out for review because the authors appear to be unaware of the publication process. This seminar provides participants advice on how to succeed in getting past the gatekeepers (journal editors and manuscript reviewers) when submitting manuscripts to academic journals, with specific reference to journals in applied linguistics. Some of the topics covered are understanding the publication process, choosing the right publication, generating more than one publication from a study, replicating research, composing effective titles, using clear visuals, drafting clear cover letters, making the editors’ and reviewers’ tasks easier, and revising effectively.