Thread by @mettalrose

In Phd Year 2, I submitted to 3 peer-reviewed journals. 1 gave a desk reject. 1 gave me peer reviewers' rejection. 1's results are awaited. All the editors were super kind & gave lots of advice. Here is what I learnt 🧵(1/n): #PhDVoice #phdlife #AcademicTwitter #AcademicChatter

Shortlist main journals in your field. Read their latest issues to understand genre expectations. For eg. some may prefer statements of positionality, some might not. Some may like only qualitative data while others are impressed with mixed methods etc. (2/n) #AcademicChatter

Your lit review v.imp. Cite: a) imp. folks in your field on the research area [everyone knows this]; b) but also papers in your target journal on that area! [I had no idea about this]. This shows fitness for conversation for that particular journal. Most imp criteria. (3/n)

Always mail editors asking about fit between your paper and their journal. [I had not idea this was allowed or expected!] Based on where you get positive responses from, customise your paper to fit the genre conversations and academic conversation of that particular journal (4/n)

Relevance: Connected to the academic conversation you are trying to enter in your target journal, its crucial to show y ur work is super relevant in the current climate. Why should anyone bother reading your paper? Just because you are interested in it is not a good reason (5/n)

Strategise papers during your coursework with the intention of publishing them even if your teachers don’t require or recommend it. Don't wait till you start writing your dissertation. Use the work you do every semester for publications. (6/n)

Submit, submit, submit—never self select yourself out! Tell the negative voice inside ur head to shut up & submit ur work. U need to learn how the submission process, feedback, rejection etc. work. Need to go through it multiple times before you get acceptance. (7/n)

Manage emotions: Rejection is natural part of academia. For everyone. First time I got rejection, I was devastated. My supervisor showed me all her rejections from that year and that taught me its part of the game. Manifest success inspite of rejections. (8/n)

In industry, publications dnt matter. Academic jobs are shrinking. Don't invest ur entire energy in journals. Simultaneously build a portfolio that highlights examples of projects you've done and skills you've learnt and how they translate to industry. Keep options open.(9/n)