How to stay motivated through the lengthy submission process?
Ever thought you’d be ready to submit your first paper within days after drafting it? If so, you’re not alone: many PhD students feel this way, only to realize that publishing a paper is more than just a writing task.
In reality, crafting and submitting a manuscript is an elaborate journey with countless stages, many of which are beyond your immediate control. This “invisible work” can feel overwhelming, especially when the article is still not submitted – months after the first version sent to their supervisor.
In today’s newsletter, I’m diving into the lesser-known steps of publishing your first paper and sharing a few strategies to help you keep momentum through the long journey. These insights will help keep yourself motivated as you work through each stage.
Here’s what typically happens behind the scenes before your paper even reaches a journal’s desk:
(Disclaimer: strongly inspired by my own experience for each of the 50+ papers I’ve published so far – either as a PhD student or now as a PhD supervisor)
✒️ Multiple feedback rounds with your supervisors to improve the story, structure, content, figures, tables, etc.;
✒️ Additional feedback rounds with your collaborators;
✒️ Endless discussions to reach a consensus on the authorship list;
✒️ Further adjustments prompted by someone deeming Figure S27 in the Supplementary data insufficient;
✒️ Tweaks to the layout and reference list because your supervisor decided that submitting it to the Journal of Awesome Research is better than the Journal of Groundbreaking Studies;
✒️ Waiting until your supervisor finds a spare 2-h slot in their schedule to submit your manuscript (yes, it really takes that long!);
✒️ Get an (angry) email from your supervisor because you forgot the Highlights and the resolution of the Figures is not sufficient;
✒️ Being so fed up at the end of the process that you become indifferent to your own paper, and show no emotions when receiving the confirmation of submission.
Here are three ways to manage the invisible stages of academic publishing:
#1 | Understand the process
Knowing what to expect (from feedback loops to submission steps) can save you from a lot of frustration. Discuss the plan with your supervisor and seek advice from experienced PhD students.
#2 | Set realistic timelines
Publishing takes time; learning how to build this into your schedule will keep you grounded. Make sure that you communicate clearly with your supervisors and anyone involved during the entire process, and readjust your plan accordingly.
#3 | Celebrate each milestone
Submission of your first paper (and any paper, actually) is a tremendous achievement! Make sure that you already celebrate this step – no matter what the opinion of the editors and reviewers will be.
📢 The Take-Home Message
💡Publishing your first paper is a marathon, not a sprint – understanding the steps can make the journey smoother.
💡Realistic timelines and clear communication help manage expectations and reduce frustration.
💡Celebrate every milestone along the way – it’s all part of building your research expertise
The path to publication may seem long, but each stage gets you closer to your goal. Stay persistent and remember: every step you take adds to your growth as a researcher.
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