Video: How to Draft Manuscripts for Target Journals

In this insightful video, we break down what academic journal editors actually want to see in a submission—and how you can increase your chances of getting accepted by drafting manuscripts that are tailored to specific journals.  

Here’s what we’ll cover:  

• The key things editors look for: importance, novelty, relevance, and connection to themes.  
• Why your abstract is more powerful than you think.  
• The importance of writing your abstract last, not first—and why that helps create clarity and focus. 
• How a well-crafted cover letter can make or break your submission.  
• Why submitting to the right journal is crucial—and how forgetting to check journal names in your cover letter could cost you.  

Editors are flooded with hundreds of manuscripts every year. So your manuscript needs to stand out in every way—from clarity and structure to relevance and fit. Here are top tips shared directly by a journal editor: 

• Start your paper by carefully developing your methods, results, and conclusions first—then write the abstract last. 
• Clearly show how your work fills a knowledge gap.  
• Link your research to global goals, like the SDGs, to boost impact.  
• Use the cover letter to explain why your article is right for the journal and how it contributes to the field.  
• Always double-check the journal name and details before submission—simple mistakes can send the wrong message! 

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