How to Submit a Paper
Daniel Ha · Seoul National University PhD StudentRead the Author Guidelines in full, format your manuscript accordingly, write
a persuasive cover letter, and complete the pre-submission checklist before
uploading. Format non-compliance alone can trigger desk rejection, so
following the guidelines precisely is the single most important step in the
submission process.
Why Does Submission Preparation Matter?
Desk rejection rates at top journals run 30~50%, and format violations are one of the leading causes — a single rejected submission wastes 3~6 months of your timeline.
Desk rejection happens before a manuscript ever reaches peer review. The editor scans the submission for basic compliance — correct format, appropriate scope, and adequate language quality — and rejects immediately if any of these fail. Because each rejection cycle costs 3~6 months, careful submission preparation is as important as the research itself.
Before you begin preparing your submission, make sure you have already selected the right target journal. See How to Choose a Journal for the journal selection process.
How Do You Prepare a Paper Submission?
Read the Author Guidelines thoroughly, prepare and format your manuscript and cover letter to match every requirement, then run through the pre-submission checklist before uploading.
Step 1: Check Author Guidelines
Every journal has different formatting requirements. Read the Author Guidelines from start to finish before you touch the manuscript. Formatting mismatches alone can cause desk rejection.
| Item | What to Check |
|---|---|
| Manuscript format | Word/LaTeX template, font, margins, line spacing, page limits |
| Citation style | APA, Vancouver, Chicago, or journal-specific format |
| Abstract limits | Maximum word count, structured vs. unstructured |
| Keywords | Required number, preferred terminology |
| Figures and tables | Resolution (typically 300 dpi+), file formats, caption rules |
| Supplementary materials | Allowed types, file size limits, how to label |
| Authorship and ethics | Author contribution statement, IRB approval disclosure |
Step 2: Prepare Manuscript and Cover Letter
The cover letter is the first document the editor reads. Write it concisely but persuasively — a strong cover letter increases the likelihood that the editor will send the paper out for peer review.
| Cover Letter Item | What to Include |
|---|---|
| Paper title and target journal | State the exact title and journal name at the top |
| Key findings summary | 2~3 sentences describing the main results and their significance |
| Fit for this journal | Explain specifically why the research belongs in this journal |
| Original contribution | State clearly what is new — method, dataset, finding, or theory |
| No simultaneous submission | Confirm the manuscript has not been submitted elsewhere |
| Conflict of interest | Declare any financial or personal relationships that could bias the work |
Step 3: Final Pre-Submission Check
| Check Item | ✓ |
|---|---|
| Read the Author Guidelines from start to finish | ☐ |
| Manuscript format complies with the guidelines | ☐ |
| Reference style matches the journal's requirements | ☐ |
| Abstract is within the word count limit | ☐ |
| Tables and figures meet the formatting requirements | ☐ |
| Cover letter is written and addresses all required items | ☐ |
| All co-authors have reviewed and approved the final manuscript | ☐ |
| Conflict of interest declaration is prepared | ☐ |
| Author contribution statement is included if required | ☐ |
| Supplementary materials are correctly labeled and formatted | ☐ |
How Can You Avoid Desk Rejection?
Confirm Aim and Scope alignment, comply with every Author Guidelines formatting rule, and clearly state your contribution in the cover letter.
The three main causes of desk rejection are:
- Scope mismatch: The topic falls outside the journal's stated range. Reread the Aim and Scope page and scan two or three recent issues to confirm your topic fits before submitting.
- Formatting violations: The manuscript ignores Author Guidelines on structure, references, or abstract format. Go through every requirement line by line and verify compliance.
- Language quality: Excessive grammar errors or a lack of academic tone. Complete a thorough proofread — refer to the How to Proofread Your Paper guide — before submitting.
How Much Does Paper Submission Cost?
Traditional subscription journals charge no author fee, while open-access journals charge an APC (Article Processing Charge) typically ranging from $500 to $5,000.
APC covers peer review and publishing costs so the article can be made freely available online. Top-tier OA journals such as those in the Nature and Science families can exceed $10,000. If the cost is a concern, look into APC waiver programs — many OA journals offer partial or full waivers for researchers with demonstrated financial need. Also check whether your institution runs an OA publishing fund or whether your research grant budget includes publication fees.
How Long Does the Review Process Take?
From initial submission to final publication, the typical timeline is 6~12 months — plan your research calendar accordingly.
The review process moves through several sequential stages, and delays can occur at any point:
| Stage | Typical Duration |
|---|---|
| Submission to initial desk review | 1~2 weeks |
| Peer review | 1~3 months |
| Revision preparation and resubmission | 2~6 weeks |
| Second review | 2~4 weeks |
| Final decision to publication | 1~2 weeks |
| Total | Average 6~12 months |
If you have a graduation deadline or project milestone, check whether the journal publishes average review times on its website or ScholarOne, and factor this into your journal selection.
Summary
Successful paper submission requires reading the Author Guidelines in full, preparing a compliant manuscript and persuasive cover letter, and completing the pre-submission checklist before uploading. After submission, when you receive reviewer feedback, refer to How to Respond to Peer Review for guidance on writing your response and revising your manuscript.