The process of journal submission is rarely simple. For most researchers, it involves multiple rounds of revisions, unclear expectations, and frequent rejections. But what if you could streamline your submission process, meet editorial standards, and significantly increase your chances of acceptance?
To help you achieve just that, we’ve created three FREE templates that every researcher should use before submitting to any academic journal. These templates were designed with real editorial insights and proven strategies to address the most common reasons for manuscript rejection.
This blog introduces you to these three essential journal submission templates, each discussed in its own section:
Each template will not only support your next journal submission but also save you time, prevent rework, and help you avoid costly mistakes.
Acceptance Boost Secrets – 7 Things Editors Actually Look For
When it comes to journal submission, many researchers focus solely on their findings and overlook what editors are actually evaluating. This first free template reveals seven critical criteria that journal editors use to assess research papers. Understanding and applying these insights can dramatically improve your chances of acceptance.
Here are the seven core acceptance factors covered in this template:
- Journal Fit: Is your topic aligned with the journal’s aims and readership? A mismatch is the number one reason for desk rejections.
- Recent Publications: Have you reviewed the journal’s recent issues? Citing and building on recent articles demonstrates relevance.
- Author Guidelines Compliance: Journals expect strict adherence to formatting, referencing style, and section requirements.
- Access Policies: Know whether the journal operates on open access, hybrid, or subscription models. This impacts licensing and visibility.
- Editorial Policies: Disclose conflicts of interest, funding sources, and ethical approvals.
- Keywords and Metadata: Use 5–6 relevant keywords to optimize indexing and discoverability.
- Manuscript Quality: Logical structure, clarity of argument, and professional tone are all non-negotiable.
This checklist functions as a pre-submission screening template. Incorporating these checks into your journal submission process can minimize the risk of delays and outright rejections. Rather than guessing what editors want, you now have a framework rooted in actual editorial standards.
Use this template every time you prepare a journal submission—not just for high-impact journals but even for institutional or regional publications. Click below to download!
Journal Cover Letter – Make Your First Impression Count
Despite being one of the shortest documents in your journal submission package, the cover letter holds significant weight. It’s your chance to personally address the editor, communicate your paper’s value, and express why it belongs in their journal.
Our FREE journal cover letter eliminates uncertainty by giving you a ready-to-use format that includes:
- A direct salutation to the editor
- The title and type of your manuscript
- A concise overview of the study’s significance
- Justification for submitting to that specific journal
- Statements on ethical compliance and originality
- A polite closing with contact details
A poorly written or generic cover letter suggests carelessness. In contrast, a targeted, thoughtful letter can capture the editor’s attention before they even open your research paper.
This cover letter template was built to align with editorial expectations across multiple disciplines. It encourages you to keep your letter under 250 words, use a formal tone, and personalize it according to the journal’s focus.
As part of your journal submission, this letter is your opportunity to make a strong, confident impression. Don’t miss it.
Before your next journal submission, review your cover letter using this to ensure it’s working in your favor—not against you. Click below to download!
Plagiarism Checklist – Stay Compliant, Stay Published
Whether it is purposeful or accidental, plagiarism can ruin your research credibility. Journal retractions are sky high and editors are much more cautious than before. Which makes our third FREE template a comprehensive Ethics and Plagiarism Checklist for protecting your work prior to journal submission.
The checklist consists of two main parts:
A. Requirements of Target Journal
• Ensure your scope aligns with journal aims
• Cite recently published article
• Adhere to formatting and section order requirements
• Familiarize with the journal editorial and peer review policies
• Determine if journal permits hybrid, open access, or subscription submission.
B. Manuscript Quality and Integrity
- Include 5–6 relevant keywords
- Create a clear, journal-specific title and abstract
- Write a customized cover letter
- Maintain logical flow and academic tone
- Match the journal’s style and referencing system
- Ensure methods, results, and discussion are robust and evidence-backed
The checklist also emphasizes verifying originality using plagiarism detection templates like Turnitin or iThenticate before submission. Journals often run these checks at the first editorial stage. Submitting without a prior scan puts your research paper and reputation at risk.
This template ensures that by the time you make your journal submission, your paper meets ethical and editorial standards. It also reduces the likelihood of revision requests and helps avoid outright rejections on technical grounds.
Use this checklist as your final step before submission to avoid red flags and ensure your research paper upholds the standards of academic integrity. Click below to download!
Final Thoughts: Your Journal Submission Template
Successfully navigating the journal submission process is not just about having strong research. It’s also about understanding how to package and present your work in a way that meets the expectations of editors and peer reviewers.
With these three FREE templates, you’re no longer left to figure it out alone:
- Acceptance Boost Secrets show you what editors really care about
- The Journal Cover Letter helps you communicate value clearly and professionally
- The Plagiarism & Ethics Checklist safeguards your submission from technical and ethical errors
Together, these templates form a reliable system for researchers who are ready to improve their journal submission outcomes, no matter their discipline or publication experience. Don’t rely on guesswork or outdated advice. Empower your next journal submission with evidence-based templates that increase your manuscript’s chances of acceptance.
