BJUI Author Workshop, Tuesday 23rd June 2009Hashim Hashim

How to get started

Steps in writing a paper• Choose a topic• Choose the type of article• Choose the journal to submit to• Write the article• Correct the article• Send the article

Choosing a topic• May be the most difficult step• Literature search• Interesting• Original• Advice of supervisor/consultant/colleague

Types of articles• Letters to editor• Case reports• Editorials• Review Articles• Original papers

Where to submit –Factors to consider• Impact factor• Audience• Prestige• Author’s preference• Indexed on Medline• Journal reply time• Anonymity• Frequency of publication

BJUI Eur Urol

J Urol Urology

2005 2.25 3.42 3.59 2.14

2006 2.64 4.85 3.95 2.13

2007 2.75 5.63 4.05 2.13

Questions to answer before writing?• What do you want to say?• Is it worth saying?• What is the right format?• What is the audience?• What is the right journal?

Writing the article• How to begin?• Where to begin?• When to begin?• What to include?• Who to include?

Referencing• Reference manager• Endnote

Correcting the article• How to correct?• What to correct?• How many times to correct?

Sending the article• Where to send?• How to send?• What to send with it?

Waiting for journal reply• May take time• Correct as per reviewer instructions• Don’t be ‘put off’ if rejected

‘Rookie’ mistakes• Not ‘sticking’ to the author instructions• Word count• References• Style• Figures/tables/pictures• Title page

• Not checking • Spelling • Grammar

• Not getting Permissions/Copyright

Tips• PLAN, PLAN & PLAN!!!!!!!• Be patient & realistic• Ask your colleagues who previously published • Read previous papers on the topic• Obtain all necessary signatures• Attend courses and workshops• ECDL• Statistics

• Anticipate hurdles • ENJOY IT!!!!

What you could expect in 5 years!!• 4 books (1st editor and author)• 3 book chapters (2 first author)• 9 original papers (7 first author)• 14 review articles (8 first author)• 4 case reports (2 first author)• 4 letters (3 first author)

Conclusion• Develop your own writing style• Writing is an art, you need to practice it

Pearls of Wisdom• Necessity is the mother of invention• A journey of a thousand miles begins • with a single step• Beggars can't be choosers • Practice makes perfect