How should I go about getting academic journals published?

Question

Completed a Social Work degree and interested in publishing some pieces of research I did along the way... Also looking to continue research in a variety of fields and I know it's very important to keep getting citations to advance an academic career. Can anyone offer any tips on getting academic journals to publish my articles, particularly in the field of Social Policy / Social Work?

Answer 1

You need to go to the reference part of the library or social sciences part of a university library. Read the magazines there on various topics associated with your subject. The magazines themselves, usually state whether they accept unsolicited work- i.e that without an agent. This is where you will find the specialist academic journals too.

Get some ideas from the writers and artists yearbook about submitting articles. Any bookseller will get it for you.

Also, if you could do an ma or phd on your subject, then getting in the publishing world is easier as your thesis at that level, will itself be considered a publication of sorts, as they tend to print and bind them and put them in the uni library.

Use the internet for research, submit articles for free if necessary- maybe get involved with a charity and help write articles for them on your topic if appropriate. Answer letters to questions in journals- the more you get published, the more confidence it gives you.

Any appropriate work experience is good too- make the contacts now! Persevere- i'm sure your career will flourish and may help some people along the way.

Answer 2

check out the relevant journals in your library. check out their websites - they often will have a section on stylistic presentation. set it out in that way and send it off and see what they say - most likely be rejected. thats just what they do. be water-tight on your methods. if you're lucky they'll give you comments to incorporate and re-send. it can take ages to get something published.

also check out specific calls for papers for special edictions - not sure what your area was, but say you had some stuff on carers, some journals might do a special ed. on carers experiences.

finally on-line journals - not always peer-reviewed but have a much quicker turnaround. if you want to get stuff published then its a good start 'cos you reach a much wider audience - something like socresonline has such a wide reach b'cos its free - gets your name out and about.

finally, finally (!) did you get on with your supervisor? well enough to submit a joint article? might be an idea if all else fails.

good luck - do pursue academic research - its a great life of being a glorified student! i can't recommend it highly enough!!

Answer 3

dunno about that field, but
- make sure you're the lead author
- have a big name as your co-author
- do some serious, dispassionate comparison of presentation, content etc in your target journals
- don't be disheartened
- keep your language accurate, clear and elegant. Work hard at this bit. But you do seem to be articulate.

Most "successful" academics get at least six papers out of any one thought. Be subtle; everyone else is.

Answer 4

No, they are not paid. However, as a strong track record in publishing in peer reviewed articles is necessary to secure a university position and gain tenure. In that sense, they are "paid" in the advancements the published article allows.

Answer 5

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