Turning Manuscripts into Publications: A Roadmap for Novice Authors

In today’s era of evidence-based medicine, scholarly publishing plays a crucial role in advancing medical knowledge and academic careers. While manuscript (MS) writing has been widely addressed in previous literature, practical guidance for the subsequent submission and publishing process remains relatively underexplored. This article aims to provide a comprehensive roadmap for novice authors navigating the often complex journey of medical manuscript submission. Key steps were discussed, including assessing MS readiness, selecting the appropriate journal, adhering to submission guidelines, preparing a compelling cover letter, and managing the online submission system. The peer review process, responding to reviewer comments, handling rejections, and ensuring ethical conduct were also elaborated. Additional topics such as post-acceptance production, promoting published work, and the ethical use of artificial intelligence were underscored. Emphasis was placed on common pitfalls and actionable advice to improve the overall success and integrity of academic publishing.