Pre-Submission Guide for Manuscripts

What are some of the

common errors editors see in manuscripts?

5 important pointsauthors in Asia Pacific

need to take note of before submitting their

manuscript

Here are

An interview with Dr. Jing Zhu,

Deputy Editor,Biotechnology Journal

Point 1:

Because choosing an unsuitable journal may lead to a “fast track" rejection

Choosing the right journal

Point 1:

Because choosing an unsuitable journal may lead to a “fast track" rejection

Choosing the right journal

So what can authors do to make a better decision?

Read the aim, scope & author guidelines of the journal

Tip #1

Read the aim, scope & author guidelines of the journalSounds simple, doesn’t it?

Tip #1

Tip on finding useful information about a journal

A journal home page consists of information

that is useful for authors

Tip on finding useful information about a journal

Tip on finding useful information about a journal

A journal home page consists of information

that is useful for authorsYou can

find from the journal overview

page

If your research doesn’t fall within

the aim & scope of a journal,

you should consider submitting

your paper to a more suitable

one

Note

More resources available at the journal home page

There are guidelines on what editors

from the respective journal look out for too

And instructions

to help authors

navigate their way through submission

More resources available at the journal home page

There are guidelines on what editors

from the respective journal look out for too

More resources available at the journal home page

Don’t miss out on great

templates as well

There are guidelines on what editors

from the respective journal look out for too

And instructions

to help authors

navigate their way through submission

Follow the journal guidelines

& instructions to ensure fast

publication!

It sets a good impression with the editors when you do that.

Follow the journal guidelines

& instructions to ensure fast

publication!

Consider these questions when selecting a journal for submission

Tip #2

Consider these questions when selecting a journal for submission

Tip #2

• What is the publication speed like?• Do you have any questions that the

editorial office can answer?

Point 2:

It helps editors understand your workbetter

Sell your work in a nice cover letter

Point 2:

It helps editors understand your workbetter

Sell your work in a nice cover letter

Here are some quick tips from Dr. Zhu

“Do”s in a cover letter

The importance and novelty of your work

How it fits into the scope of the journal

The practical application of your study

Include the following points:

“Don’t”s in a cover letter

Repeating the TitleListing down author namesWriting it like an abstract

Editors can read all of these in the manuscript

Instead, convince the editor in the cover letter that your manuscript is

ORIGINALUNDERSTANDABLERELIABLE

SUITABLE

Point 3:

To ensure that your manuscript can be

submitted and processed smoothly

Follow

GuidelinesAuthor’s

Pay close attention to the format of the main text, figures, tables, etc.

Point 3:

To ensure that your manuscript can be

submitted and processed smoothly

Follow

GuidelinesAuthor’s

Do you recall the earlier Author Guidelines Page?

The next slides include information that can be found in

Authors Instructions

fileExamples from

the Biotechnology Journal

Example from the Biotechnology Journal

Get information about the Journal on its:• Aims & Scope• Readership• Publication Ethics

Authors Instruction

s

Get insights and tips

Learn about the

journal

Original V.S.

revised submission

Example from the Biotechnology Journal

Authors Instruction

s

Learn about

the journal

Get insights and tips

Original V.S.

revised submission

Get insights on Manuscript Preparation And

many more

Format & Style of

manuscript

Cover Letter

Guidelines for figure

preparation

Types of contributions

Example from the Biotechnology Journal

Learn about the differences in manuscript submission

Original Manuscripts

Revised Manuscripts

Authors Instruction

s

Learn about

the journal

Original V.S.

revised submission

Get insights and tips

Peer-Review Policy of Biotechnology Journal

General peer-review

structure

Initial assessmen

tPeer-review Decision

Authors Instruction

s

Preparing for

publishing

Learn about Peer-

review process

Check out the appendix

Example from the Biotechnology Journal

Understand what goes on in the Peer-review process

Get your paper ready for publishing with information on:

Authors Instruction

s

Learn about Peer-

review process

Preparing for

publishing

Check out the

appendix

Example from the Biotechnology Journal

Wiley Author Services

Proofs & Reprints

Wiley Author Licensing Services (WAL)

Funding Agencies Supporting OnlineOpen

Make sure your manuscript doesn’t miss out on important points listed in the appendix:

Authors Instruction

s

Learn about Peer-

review process

Check out the

appendix

Preparing for

publishing

Example from the Biotechnology Journal

Keywords used in the

journal

Checklist for authors

before submission

Point 4:Write an “attractive” title for your manuscript It is the first thing that catches the eye of editors

Here are some quick tips on what a title should have

Point 4:Write an “attractive” title for your manuscript It is the first thing that catches the eye of editors

It should be interesting & accurate

Tip #

1

Titles for research articles: It should provide the main message of the paper in astatement form

Tip #

2

It should consist of

Tip #

3

Key words, Key words,

Key words!

Example from the Biotechnology Journal

Here’s an example of a good and a poor title

Poor Title

Good Title

Example from the Biotechnology Journal

Here’s an example of a good and a poor title

Poor Title

Good Title

High cell density culture of gene-modified Escherichia

coli

Red text: KeywordGreen text: Active Verb

XYZ gene insertion into Escherichia coli increases therapeutic protein production in high cell density cultures

Check, check and check!Set a good impression with a submission that is free from careless errors

Point 5:

Minimize errors in your manuscript before submission

Check, check and check!Set a good impression with a submission that is free from careless errors

Point 5:

Check your work against a checklist if any

Look for one in the Author Guidelines page

Tip #1

Example from the Biotechnology Journal

Tip #2

Make sureeverything is included whenyou submit files

If you can’t find the information you need, write in to the editorial

office for advise.

More about Dr. Jing Zhu

Jing Zhu, Deputy Editor for Biotechnology Journal (Impact Factor: 3.490) at Wiley, takes care of commissioning content, oversees peer-review and editing of accepted manuscripts. She received her bachelor’s degree in Veterinarian Medicine in 2005, and completed her PhD in Microbiology from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2011. She has also conducted workshops on scientific writing and the peer-review process to students and young researchers.

Looking for more great tips?Here are two blog posts on manuscript pre-submission tips:

7 ways for your article to stand out in the editorial officeClick here to read more >>

4 things you need to know about keywords in a paperClick here to read more >>