Writing for Professional Publication
Presented by Tina Marrelli and Kim Corral
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Writing can be a daunting chore or a pleasure–it all depends on the skill set; this shows most clearly when it is time to start thinking and writing/typing in the words! There are a number of reasons to write (and sometimes as many not to write). This foundational course reviews the reasons to consider writing, the barriers to writing success, and some of the practical nuts, bolts, and pitfalls. Created by an experienced book and journal author and editor, information includes reasons to write, picking a topic, understanding the journal and book worlds, working with editors, navigating peer review, and how to turn your idea into a successful manuscript. Join us on the path to making an impact on quality in health care—through effective polished writing and successful publication.
Meet your instructors
Tina Marrelli
Tina Marrelli is the president of Marrelli and Associates, Inc., a publishing and consulting firm working in home care for more than 30 years. Tina is the author of 13 books, including the Handbook of Home Health Standards: Quality, Documentation, and Reimbursement (6th edition, 2018). Other books include A Guide…
Kim Corral
Kim is a registered nurse with a master's degree in education and more than 30 years of home health experience. She is an experienced leader in home health care, having held both clinical and operational positions at regional and national levels for large corporate home health organizations. She brings a passion for providing…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. Why Should I Write?
This chapter will provide reasons to consider writing for professional publications, writing opportunities that are available, and why writing is a learned skill. Like any new skill, writing improves only with practice and the “want to” for its improvement. This chapter also addresses the reasons why someone might want to take advantage of their experiences and unique skill set by contributing to the professional literature and lists three kinds of professional publishing opportunities.
2. Editors: Definition, Multifaceted Roles, and the Expert About the Journal
This chapter explains the important roles of the editor. A definition is offered, as well as some of the responsibilities that editors assume in their important work. The prospective author and editor relationship is an important one for the development of authors. The editorial processes are reviewed as well as tips for success across the editorial timelines. The unique glossary of writing and publishing are also covered, such as the important difference between a manuscript and an article and the "three steps plus one" for the publishing process.
3. Choosing What to Write and Making It a Match: Essentials for Success
This chapter reviews the specific steps for topic and journal selection. Like the nursing, scientific, or care planning processes, there is a discrete sequence for successful manuscripts–from topic idea through to writing and manuscript submission. Sample author guidelines are reviewed as well as legal aspects of writing and publishing. This includes such terms as copyright, the copyright transfer agreement (CTA), the definition of author, and predatory publishers. Information about finding the editor and query letters about a possible submission are also covered in this chapter.
4. Writing: A Learned Skill
Writing only improves with practice and all are different in their writing habits. This chapter is about writing–how to start, getting organized, planning, how to improve, and a structure for goals (pages,) timelines, and deadlines. Resources are also listed as well as methods for dealing with writer’s “block”, what to do when “stuck”, and symptoms and differences between “poor” and “good” manuscripts.
5. The End Goal: Submission of Your Manuscript: The Waiting Game
Once a manuscript is submitted, a number of processes begin. In this chapter, peer review will be defined, editor decision options described, and the importance of editor-requested revisions and clarifications will be explained. This chapter will also explain why manuscripts may be rejected and how prospective authors can avoid some of these common pitfalls.