In this presentation I share my advice on how to navigate the process scientists take from having a big idea to publishing their paper, and sharing the excitement about the new findings with the world. This presentation is closely related to the advice I gave in a series of blog posts: http://crosstalk.cell.com/blog/getting-your-paper-published-with-as-little-frustration-as-possible-1 http://crosstalk.cell.com/blog/getting-your-paper-published-with-as-little-frustration-as-possible-2 http://crosstalk.cell.com/blog/getting-your-paper-published-with-as-little-frustration-as-possible-3 http://crosstalk.cell.com/blog/getting-your-paper-published-with-as-little-frustration-as-possible-4 http://crosstalk.cell.com/blog/getting-your-paper-published-with-as-little-frustration-as-possible-5 http://crosstalk.cell.com/blog/getting-your-paper-published-beyond-the-rule-of-five

1. Removing frustration
from the publication
process
Milka Kostic, Ph.D., Editor
Structure and Cell Chemical Biology
mkostic@cell.com
@Structure_CP, @CellChemBiol, @MilkaKostic

2. 3 KEY INGREDIENTS OF A GREAT PAPER
- BIG IDEAS
- HIGH QUALITY DATA
- AUTHORS WITH INTEGRITY

3. 2 MUST-HAVE PERSONAL GOALS
NETWORKING
&
MENTORING

4. - Be mindful of the audience
- Craft the title and abstract
- Tell a story
- Put the Cover Letter to work
- Keep it simple
5 Tips for publishing scientific research

5. Be mindful of the audience
• Choose the journal to submit your work not only based on the IF but more
strategically in terms of the audience you want to target
• Treat Editors, Reviewers, and Readers with respect and empathy: put
yourself in their shoes to experiment with different ways to present your
data and explain your results
• Remembers that publishing a paper is a collaboration

6. Craft the title and abstract

7. Title
Abstract
Main Text
Anatomy of a scientific paper

8. Title
Abstract
Article
Anatomy of a scientific paper:
reader’s & search engine’s perspective

9. Title
Abstract
Article
Title is THE most visible part of your paper and
probably the only opportunity to attract the reader's
attention.
A good title explains what the paper is about and why it
is significant with:
- clarity
- keywords

10. Title
Abstract
Article
Abstract should be:
- informative
- interesting
- broadly accessible

11. background statement
clearly defined question
how you addressed the question
accurate summary of key findings
how the findings help answer your
questions
concluding statement with
implications & speculations
Basic structure of a well-crafted abstract

12. Telling a story
"Many years later, as he faced the firing
squad, Colonel Aureliano Buendía was
to remember that distant afternoon
when his father took him to discover
ice.”
One Hundred Years of Solitude by
Gabriel García Márquez.

13. Title
Abstract
Main Text
Telling a scientific story

14. Telling a scientific story
– Compose the paper logically, not chronologically
– Provide context
– Tell the story through your figures
– Be organized
– Read a lot, and not just science

15. Putting Cover Letter to work
The cover letter is author’s secret weapon, but only if it:
- Explains why the paper is relevant
- Tell the Editors why the paper is a good fit for our journal
- Paint the bigger picture
- Share confidential information

16. KEEP IT SIMPLE
Everything should be made as simple as
possible, but not simpler.
– Albert Einstein

17. Keep it simple
- Use “normal” words
- Avoid jargon and buzzwords
- Use active voice
- Stay focused

18. Beyond publication
Shout it from the rooftops!

19. Resources galore!!!
- Blog and more…
http://crosstalk.cell.com/

20. Online resources that inspired this presentation and more training and reading material
Excellent online resource hub for early career researchers by Elsevier – covers topics from networking,
career planning, to publishing and getting noticed
https://www.publishingcampus.elsevier.com/
Cell Press Video Guide for authors – Now on Cell Press China Getaway and Youku
http://www.cell.com/china
http://www.soku.com/search_video/q_cell%20press
From Nature EDUCATION an eBook on English Communication for Scientists that includes a chapter on
writing a scientific paper
http://www.nature.com/scitable/ebooks/english-communication-for-scientists-14053993/writing-scientific-
papers-14239285
“10 things you need to know about the publishing process”
http://www.elsevier.com/connect/10-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-publishing-process
“Tips for writing better science papers” from ChemistryViews.org
http://www.chemistryviews.org/details/education/5202161/Tips_for_Writing_Better_Science_Papers.html
How to get published in an academic journal: top tips from editors
http://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/jan/03/how-to-get-published-in-an-academic-journal-top-
tips-from-editors
Writing for an academic journal: 10 tips
http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2013/sep/06/academic-journal-writing-top-
Tips
Great series of “Ten simple rules for…” aritcles at PLoS Comp. Biol. that covers topics from publishing a
paper, to making figures

21. Key takeaways:
- Big ideas supported by quality data & work done ethically is what makes
a great paper
- Targeting right journal saves time
- Publishing a paper is a collaboration, so help editors, reviewers, and
readers
- Use the resources & keep learning
- Network & mentor
Talk about your science & your scientists!!!

22. THANK YOU!
YOUR TURN:
ASK ME ANYTHING...