This review guides prospective authors through the necessary steps to submit a paper to a scientific journal. The journey to publication begins with selecting a journal to submit the manuscript. Considerations when choosing a journal include appropriateness, determining whether a given journal is an ethical and high-quality publication, measurements of journal ranking or impact, and other factors such as associated author costs or high rejection rates. The importance of reading and following the author guidelines is highlighted because they outline the journal's overarching editorial policies and scope of publication, and provide journal-specific instructions for manuscript preparation. Strategies for successful submission as well as common pitfalls to avoid are shared, with specific tips applicable to submitting a paper to Respiratory Care. Finally, insights into what the editor wants may guide authors as they seek publication.
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