Q: How to submit a paper to a journal that allows submissions by invitation only?
I have written a review article and want to submit it to a specific journal. The journal website mentions that publication of review articles in this journal is by invitation only. However, I am keen on submitting to this journal. Can I write to the editor inquiring if I can submit my paper? How should I write this email?
Asked on 24 Jul, 2015
Yes, you can definitely send an inquiry to the journal editor. However, a journal that does not accept unsolicited review articles would need to be convinced that your review is the kind they are looking for. Therefore, you should write to the editor with a summary of your study and why you feel they should consider publishing it. The summary of your paper would be pretty much the same as you would write in any cover letter. The second part of your email needs to make a case for your paper by focusing on its merits. You can frame your argument on these lines:
- You can say that you have been following the journal and are familiar with the kind of review articles they publish.
- Explain why you think your study would match the scope of the journal.
- Explain how the journal’s target audience might be benefit from it.
The key is to be persuasive, without being too pushy and arouse interest through a succinct summary of your article's content. Hopefully, the editor will be convinced and will consider your paper for submission.