Somewhere on your professional journey, you may think about becoming an author. Although writing for professional publication can be a daunting task, there are many resources to encourage and support you. Often, it is best to collaborate with a colleague, coworker, faculty member, or mentor. This form of support is invaluable; however, coauthorship can be complicated. The best advice is to discuss the details of authorship as soon as planning begins. Determine who will be first author, how the work will be divided, and discuss where you would like to see your work published. If these discussions occur early, it may confirm your desire to work together-or allow you to take separate paths while retaining your personal and professional relationships.
Most journals correspond with only 1 author, identified as the corresponding author. This does not have to be the first author but does determine who will receive letters from the editor, peer-review reports, and dates for deadlines and publication. This author will continue to work with production editors, once the manuscript is accepted, and be the identified responder for proofs, as well as editing and approval of the final manuscript. Ultimately, all authors must agree on the final version and meet at least one of the following criteria recommended by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE): (1) substantial contributions to conception and design, acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data and (2) drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content. (http://www.icmje.org/recommendations/)
Professional journals adhere to the guidelines set forth by the ICMJE and the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Use these guidelines to prepare and submit your manuscript. These important steps may help may expedite acceptance, as they reflect detailed attention to many aspects of professional publication.
ICMJE guidelines help authors set up original research articles to reflect the process of scientific discovery. These guidelines direct formats such as the IMRAD structure-Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion sections. This structure provides a logical sequence to the manuscript. Other types of manuscripts may have less structured formats but may suggest using reporting guidelines for specific study designs such as randomized trials, systematic reviews, and qualitative studies. Comprehensive lists of these guidelines are available at the Equator Network (Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research) at http://www.equator-network.org.
COPE is an important resource for authors, editors, and publishers. Together, we strive to produce articles that are informative, accurate and ethical. COPE's mission is to educate, support, and guide us firmly in the direction of influencing through better decision making through education, resources, and support as requested. More resources and information about COPE can be found at https://publicationethics.org/about.
To further direct your efforts, review the Information for Authors (IFA) provided by individual journals. This step will help you determine if the journal is right for you and your work. It will also provide important guidance about formatting, reference style, and links to guidelines and tools that may help you throughout the writing process.
Finally, reach out to editors, mentors, and experienced writers. One of the most exciting aspects of professional publication is launching new authors and welcoming new talent to professional publication!