Writing for Publication: The Joys, Delights & Frustrations Dr Graham Sloan Nurse Consultant in Psychological Therapies

Overview of Session Why write? Do you have an idea? Where to publish? The Joys & Delights Why write? Do you have an idea? Where to publish? Structure & presentation Submit for publication Managing feedback or rejection Improving your success Develop your Idea. Questions & Feedback

The Joys & Delights: Potentially, you’ve shared your insights with >100, 000 Contributing to knowledge Make lots of money! The experience has improved you’re understanding. Celebrate Potential for collaborations, invites!

But Why Write? why you want to write an article Spend a couple of minutes thinking about why you want to write an article Share your ideas with the larger group

Why write? Some nurses must write: its part of their job description. Helps to clarify our thinking. Sharing your ideas and experiences with others. Contributes to the development of knowledge. Giving something back. Contributes to your own professional development. It is rewarding!

Do you have an idea? A solution to a common problem A problem that hasn’t been highlighted A description of a typical day for you Current issues in health care Disseminating your audit/research results A literature review Critical analysis of current thinking on a particular issue Your experience of introducing change to your workplace Your role The team you work in

Your idea? Spend 5 minutes thinking about your idea, make some notes. Pair up, brief discussion (10 mins) and consider the following questions for example: Why does this matter? Who will it be of interest to? What policy, strategy, does this relate to? What do I need to do? What do I need to consult, literature, guideline, policy, people? What do I want to say?

Which journal? Where to publish – many options Who is your intended audience? Journal style Types of article published – have a look! Guidelines for contributors/authors Send email to Editor outlining your idea, determine their level of interest!!!!

Author Guidelines Every journal, publishing house has a set of author guidelines, for example: Nursing Standard Mental Health Practice Learning Disabilities Practice British Journal of Nursing Journal of Advanced Nursing International Journal of Mental Health Nursing Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing See examples.

Structure: Some Tips Follow author guidelines! Tell them what your going to tell them! Tell them! Tell them what you’ve told them (Beginning, Middle & Ending)! Use short sentences and paragraphs. Familiar words and avoid jargon. Write to express rather than impress (remember your audience) Spelling! Ensure punctuation and grammar are correct. References – Ref works & Endnote. Ask a trusted colleague/critical companion to proof read your article

Submitting your article Ensure your article conforms to the journal’s guidelines Send to one journal – slow mail or electronically Include a supporting letter/email You will receive an acknowledgement Inform you of the review process Peer-reviewed anonymously Article accepted (Rare) - celebrate Request for rewrite (Frequent) - rewrite Article rejected (Frequent) – consider feedback and send to another journal Document your experience in CPD journal/reflective diary (link to KSF & PDP)

Reviewer’s Feedback Just when you thought your article was a finished item! Choose to respond to the Editor. Acknowledge editor and that you will comply with deadline. Be receptive to feedback. If appropriate, revise as requested. Return article on time – be prepared for demanding editors. Express your gratitude to editor, reviewers, wife, husband, aunt & uncle, neighbour, colleagues.

The Frustrations: Dealing with Rejection Don’t be surprised, I repeat, don’t be surprised. Consider reviewer’s and editor’s feedback, amend article, send elsewhere. Try to resist the strong temptation to give up. Talk with your trusted colleague/critical companion/therapist. Don’t stop writing. Place article in safe storage to be used later.

Improving Your Success Rate Decide on who will be interested in your article. Talk to trusted colleague (and someone who has published) about your article. Choose your potential journal very carefully. Make your article interesting. Make clear why your article matters. Make it readable, understandable. Follow author guidelines to the letter. Only submit to one journal at a time. Keep at it. Collaborate.

Taking things Forward! Back into your pairs, help each other develop an action plan that will contribute towards sending your article to a journal (5 minutes). What needs to happen between now and you submitting to a journal? What needs to happen first, second, third? What are your timescales?

Questions?

Thank You!

Suggested Reading Burnard, P. (1995) Writing for publication: a guide for those who must. Nurse Education Today. 15(1), pp. 117-120. Carnwell, R. (1998) Writing for publication. Practice Nursing. 9(11), pp. 23-25. Clarke, G. (2000) Writing for publication: informing clinical practice. British Journal of Community Nursing. 5(6), pp. 265. Cook, R. (2000) The write direction. Nursing Standard. 7(14), pp. 56. Happell, B. (2008) Writing for publication: a practical guide. Nursing Standard. 22(28), pp. 35-40. Murray, R. (2005) Writing for Academic Journals. Open University Press, London.