Journals for First-Time Authors

Last updated: April 2026 · 10 min read · Audience: Authors, students, early-career researchers · Reading level: Introductory

Who this page is for

This reference is for authors who have never submitted a manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal and are uncertain about the procedural steps involved. The discussion treats the submission system, the cover letter, the response to reviewers, and the proof correction stage as separate skills that can each be learned.

Authors with prior submission experience may find the granularity unnecessary; the related guides at the end of this page address more advanced topics.

Overview of publishing options

First-time authors should choose between three categories of venue, each appropriate to different goals.

All three are legitimate. The choice depends on whether the author values feedback over speed, or visibility over selectivity. None of these requires prior publication experience.

Considerations particular to first-time authors

The submission system itself is a meaningful obstacle for first-time authors. Most systems require the manuscript to be uploaded as separate files (main text, figures, tables, supplementary materials), each in specific formats. Reading the submission checklist before opening the system saves an hour of guessing during submission.

A second consideration is the cover letter. Many first-time authors omit this or write it generically. Editors read cover letters when deciding whether to send a manuscript out for review; a one-page letter explaining the contribution and the fit with the journal materially improves the odds of being sent out for review.

Best option based on situation

If budget is the primary constraint

First submissions to subscription journals are free. The trade-off is paywalled access for readers, which may be acceptable for a first publication, particularly if the topic is of interest mainly to academic audiences with institutional access. Reputable low-APC open-access journals are an alternative when reader access matters.

If speed is the primary constraint

First-time authors who need a faster timeline should pick journals with continuous online publication and short median decision times. Be aware that first submissions often require revision; even fast journals will not bypass that.

If credibility is the primary constraint

A first publication in a well-indexed journal carries lasting weight on a CV. Even when faster or cheaper alternatives exist, taking the additional time to submit to an indexed peer-reviewed venue is usually worth the effort, since the indexing record cannot be retroactively created.

A recommended approach

A practical sequence for a first submission is: select one target journal, read its author guidelines and recent articles, prepare the manuscript and a focused cover letter, submit through the journal's system, respond to any technical errors flagged on submission, and treat the resulting decision (whether acceptance, revision, or rejection) as the substantive starting point for the next iteration.

If the journal returns a major-revision decision, follow the response-to-reviewers convention precisely: address each point separately, mark changes in the manuscript, and submit a clean version alongside the marked one. Several rounds of revision are normal.

What improves the chances of acceptance

• Read three recent articles in the target journal before drafting; mirror their structure and voice.
• Follow author guidelines literally; do not improvise on reference style or word counts.
• Write a cover letter that names the journal explicitly and states the contribution in two sentences.
• Pre-submit checklist: title page, abstract within word limit, conflicts of interest declared, data availability statement included.
• Have a co-author or external reader review the manuscript before submission.
• Use the journal's preferred figure format and resolution.

Decision guidance: how to choose between options

First-time authors often benefit from picking a journal slightly below the most ambitious option in their field. Reviewer feedback at this stage is more valuable than acceptance, and a less competitive venue is more likely to return substantive comments rather than a desk rejection.

Example scenarios

Scenario: a master's student submitting a thesis chapter

A student adapting a thesis chapter as their first publication should rewrite, not copy. The introduction usually needs to be shortened, the literature section refocused on the published work most directly relevant, and the discussion strengthened to position the contribution clearly. A reputable mid-tier open-access journal is often the best venue for this kind of submission.

Scenario: a PhD researcher publishing for the first time

PhD candidates publishing for the first time can target a stronger journal in their field, given that the work is typically more developed than a master's thesis. A first publication in an indexed disciplinary journal is a stronger CV item than two publications in less-recognised venues.

Scenario: a low-budget first-time author

Authors without institutional support submitting their first manuscript should prefer subscription journals (free to author) or diamond open-access journals (free to author). The first publication's visibility matters less than the indexing record at this stage; both options preserve that.

What to do next

If the manuscript is broadly ready, the immediate next steps are: verify the journal's submission requirements, draft the cover letter, and prepare files in the required formats. Authors targeting EP Journals Group venues can use the central submission form, which routes the manuscript to the appropriate editorial office and sends an automated acknowledgement on receipt.