The more I write and the more I publish, the more I understand that writing the paper feels easier than submitting the paper. That’s not to say that writing is a really straight forward process it means that it is much more enjoyable and there is often less admin!

I was really excited to submit the first paper from my PhD. I made a choice for a special edition which fitted the area of study, made sense for our methods, and would appreciate the philosophy which underpins the work. So, with the co-researchers, and some oversight from my supervisors, we got the paper finished a week before the deadline.

However, I totally ADHDed when reading the (not so) fine print about application-process charges (some journals charge authors or affiliations to publish their paper so it is free to access for readers). Long story short: my university does not cover the APC for this particular journal and I do not have access to nearly £2,500!

So, I had to pivot. I was brave and went for a journal with a ridiculous impact factor – the number which suggests how many people are likely to access, read and then cite from the journal. They desk-rejected me three days later, stating that they only take 10% of the papers submitted (I like the timeliness and appreciate the small amount of feedback given).

I don’t mind the rejection, our work isn’t going to fit everywhere and that’s okay. We will find a good fit that makes sense for the work, us as lived experienced researchers and our community.

What I do mind is the overly administrative process of submitting a paper and how it differs so much across journals, including (but absolutely not limited to):

• Formatting
• Referencing styles
• Passwords and logins (the bane of my life)
• Cover letters
• Supplemental document formatting
• Anonymised scripts
• Funding statements
• Author contributions list
• Ethical considerations

There can sometimes be issues with poor software that doesn’t connect to your Orcid ID or other research platforms, which are specifically made to make this kind of thing streamlined(!). Issues with adding authors with no affiliations

When you’re doing work with marginalised participants you also have to think about the moral alignment of the journal. There is at least one disability journal I know of which is known for it’s “gender critical” harm. This always has to make sense and is perhaps more difficult to navigate as an less experienced researcher who doesn’t have a handle on the politics of journals and editing teams. Some journals also make it difficult logistically to add authors without university affiliations, such as those working in the voluntary and social enterprise sector, those doing grass roots work, or those who cannot or do not work.

Doing a compilation style thesis makes all of these issues feel more intense. For my PhD, I must publish at least one of my studies. I don’t mind this at all (in fact I asked to do this!) the problem is with understanding copyright within journals and making sure that paper will be published before I sit my viva (final exam). It’s another administrative nightmare and y’know…ADHD.

All that to say, I have a plan and a back up plan, and a back up for the back up plan, but this is all taking up more space in my head than I’d like it to. I think I prefer the writing.