Greetings, dear readers! I originally wrote part of this piece last year as my top three tips for choosing a journal article. I’ve now updated it with four additional tips to help you land your article in the right journal. Enjoy!
Submitting to the right journal can feel like trying to hit a moving target in the dark while the rules keep changing. Most of us start by reading a journal’s Aims and Scope page, which is useful, but it’s only a first pass. A large share of rejections happen because the piece isn’t a true fit for the journal’s ongoing conversations, typical article shape, or methodological preferences. In other words, the language on the website may say “welcome,” but the recent issues tell you what work actually lives there.
To avoid that mismatch, you need to go beyond the headline description and dig into how the journal really works in practice. Read the last year or two of articles and notice patterns in topics, methods, and argument structure. Trace where your key sources are publishing. Check word counts, article types, and timelines. With that deeper scan, you’ll move from guessing to choosing a journal where your work can land, be read, and make an impact.
Here are my top tips for choosing the right journal for your article:
1. Start with the Basics
The first place to look is the journal’s description. This will give you an idea of its scope, the kinds of questions it addresses, and its intended audience. However, descriptions can sometimes be misleading if you’re new to the field. A journal might claim to welcome “interdisciplinary” or “broadly theoretical” work, but in practice, its focus might be much narrower.
To get a clearer picture, dive into some recent issues. Look at the articles they’ve published in the past year or two. Ask yourself:
Does my work fit topically?
Does it align epistemologically and methodologically?
For example, some journals favor qualitative approaches, while others lean heavily quantitative. Knowing this can save you from a mismatch.
2. Consider Your Timeline
Time to publication can vary widely between journals, and this should play a role in your decision-making. Think about your current career stage and strategic goals.
When I was a grad student and later a visiting faculty member, I prioritized journals with quicker publication timelines. I couldn’t afford to wait three years for an article to appear in print when I needed publications to bolster my CV for job applications.
Later, in my tenure-track position, my priorities shifted. I chose journals with slower timelines but higher prestige in my field. For instance, submitting to a top-tier journal meant waiting longer, but it was worth it to strengthen my tenure case.
How can you find out a journal’s publication timeline?
Ask around. Colleagues, peers, or even social media can be great resources. (Academic Twitter used to be great for this and hopefully Bluesky can catch up!)
Look for publication data. Some journals list submission and publication dates in their articles, which can help you calculate an average timeline.
Contact the editor. If all else fails, don’t hesitate to email the journal editor and ask.
3. Consider the Editor and Editorial Board
Another important factor in choosing a journal is the reputation and expertise of its editor and editorial board. If you can gather this information through your networks or online research, it can provide valuable insight into how your submission will be handled.
Do the editors actively manage the review process? Some editors are known for stepping in when reviewers provide conflicting feedback or when a review process becomes stalled. Other’s have a more hands-off approach. You want an editor who is willing to advocate for your article.
Will the editors understand your project? Consider the editor's background; if they seem like they might be familiar with your subfield, they may be better able to ensure that it is sent to reviewers who are qualified to evaluate it fairly and constructively.
Is the editorial board relevant to your field? Check the journal’s website to see if there are people on the editorial board who specialize in your area of expertise. A well-aligned board increases the likelihood that your article will be reviewed by scholars who understand its nuances.
4. Follow the Citation Trails
One of the easiest ways to spot journal fit is to see where your conversation already lives. Pull 10–15 of your core sources and note where they were published. Then scan the last two years to see where scholars working on your specific micro-topic are publishing now. If the same 2–3 journals keep appearing, that is a strong signal.
Ask yourself:
Are the scholars I am in dialogue with publishing in this venue?
Do recent articles in this journal cite the same theorists, cases, or methods I use?
If I publish here, will the people I hope will cite me actually see it?
5. Read for the Journal’s Signature Moves
Every journal has patterns in how articles are built: where the argument takes center stage, how methods are introduced, how much literature scaffolding appears, and how conclusions gesture to significance. Reverse-outline 2–3 recent articles. Note section headings, paragraph purposes, and where authors do the heavy lifting of argument and evidence.
Ask yourself:
Could my article fit this structure without forcing it?
How do authors frame the contribution and situate it in ongoing debates?
What is the typical balance among theory, method, analysis, and implications?
6. Weigh Special Issues Carefully
Special issues can be a great fit if your piece speaks directly to the call. They often come with built-in audiences and sharper coherence. The trade-off is timing and scope. Guest editors may have different rhythms than the main office, and the window can be narrow.
Consider:
Does the call align tightly with my article’s central claim, not just its keywords?
Who are the guest editors, and do they publish in my area?
What is the stated timeline from submission to publication, and does it work for my goals?
7. Watch for Red Flags
Not every journal with a glossy website is a good home. Be wary of aggressive solicitations, unclear review processes, or promises of very fast acceptance. Also watch for legit journals that signal process problems, like long silences or sudden editorial turnover without communication.
Scan for:
Transparent peer-review info, editorial contacts, and recent issues that publish on schedule.
Clear author guidelines about ethics, data, and revisions.
Reasonable timelines that are neither suspiciously fast nor endlessly vague.
8. Do the Five-Sentence Fit Test
Before you submit, write a short paragraph that makes the case for this venue. It doubles as a cover letter (which some journals still require) and a gut-check for fit.
Template:
Topic fit: “This article examines [X] within [Y subfield], a core focus of Journal Z.”
Conversation: “It engages recent work by [A, B] that appeared in Journal Z.”
Approach: “Our [qual/quant/mixed] method and [theoretical frame] align with the journal’s emphasis on [____].”
Contribution: “We advance debates about [] by showing [].”
Audience: “Because your readers include [discipline/subfield/practice], these findings offer [practical/theoretical] value.”
In sum
Choosing the right journal is part strategy, part intuition. It’s a balance of practical considerations like journal focus, timelines, and audience and personal factors like your career stage and goals.
If you’re early in your career and feel like you don’t have a strong network yet, don’t worry. Lean on senior faculty or more advanced peers. They’ve been through this process and can often point you in the right direction or share valuable insights about journals, editors, and review timelines. Don’t be afraid to ask questions; most people are happy to share their experiences.