How to Research a Publication Before Submitting

A Guide for Writers

Photo by NordWood Themes

Submitting your work without first studying a publication is one of the most common mistakes writers make.

Whether you’re pitching an article, a personal essay, or an academic paper, understanding the publication’s style, tone, and editorial expectations is crucial. Editors look for work that fits seamlessly into their publication, and submissions that feel out of place are often rejected without much consideration.

Researching a publication before submitting does more than increase your chances of acceptance. It also helps you refine your craft by analyzing how successful writers shape their work for specific audiences.

Learning from those who have already been published can give you insights into structure, readability, and editorial preferences that might not be obvious at first glance. Here’s how to approach this process thoughtfully.

Research Publications Within Your Niche

A broad approach to research can be overwhelming. Instead of reading an entire publication, focus on the specific type of work you want to submit. If you’re pitching a personal essay, read their previously published personal essays. If you’re submitting to an academic journal, look at articles in your particular discipline rather than skimming unrelated topics.

This focused approach allows you to see what kinds of arguments, narratives, or structures are successful within your niche. It also helps you identify gaps—maybe the publication has covered a certain topic frequently but hasn’t explored a particular angle. Recognizing these patterns will help you craft a submission that feels fresh yet aligned with the publication’s interests.

Read Past Issues and Analyze Editorial Priorities

Publications have a consistent editorial vision, even if they cover a wide range of topics. By reading past issues, you can determine not only what subjects they cover but also how they approach them. Look at whether the publication tends to favor evergreen content or if it responds to current events. Notice if certain themes or perspectives are prioritized. Some magazines, for instance, lean toward personal, first-person narratives, while others prefer authoritative, research-backed analysis.

Pay attention to the depth of coverage. Some publications favor shorter, high-impact pieces that get to the point quickly, while others publish long-form, deeply reported articles. If you’re submitting an academic paper, check whether the journal leans toward theory-heavy discussions or practical, applied research. Understanding these patterns will help you decide whether your work is a good fit or if it needs adjustments before submission.

Identify the Voice, Tone, and Level of Authority

Each publication has a unique voice, and successful submissions mirror that style. Some publications value personal, intimate storytelling, while others prefer a neutral, journalistic approach. Some favor an authoritative, expert-driven tone, while others embrace a more exploratory, inquisitive style.

As you study past issues, take note of whether the writers position themselves as experts or if they allow room for uncertainty and personal reflection. If the publication focuses on analysis, does it expect deeply researched work, or does it allow for more opinion-driven writing? The level of authority a writer assumes in their piece should align with the expectations of the publication.

Use Digital Tools to Analyze Style and Readability

A publication’s style isn’t just about its tone—it also includes sentence structure, paragraph length, and overall readability. To get a more technical sense of how writers construct their pieces, copy and paste a few published articles into a tool like Hemingway Editor or Microsoft Word. These tools can provide insights into readability scores, sentence complexity, and word choice.

Many consumer-facing publications aim for an eighth- to tenth-grade reading level, making their work accessible to a broad audience. Academic journals, on the other hand, often expect a higher level of complexity. Some literary magazines favor lyrical, experimental prose, while others prefer direct, concise storytelling. By analyzing sentence length, paragraph structure, and formatting choices, you can adjust your own writing to fit the publication’s expectations.

Study Submission Guidelines Carefully

Submission guidelines are more than just technical instructions—they provide insight into a publication’s editorial philosophy. Editors include these guidelines to streamline their process, and failing to follow them precisely can lead to immediate rejection.

Look for details on formatting, word count, and whether the publication prefers full drafts or pitches. Some publications specify whether they accept simultaneous submissions, how long their response time is, and whether they offer payment. Academic journals often outline their peer review process and may have strict citation style requirements.

Even if your work is a perfect fit, failing to meet these guidelines can hurt your chances. Editors receive a high volume of submissions, and they often reject work that doesn’t adhere to their requirements, even before assessing its quality.

Tailor Your Submission to the Publication

Once you’ve gathered all this information, refine your submission accordingly. Adapting your writing style to match the publication’s voice doesn’t mean sacrificing originality—it means demonstrating that you understand their editorial approach. If the publication has a playful, irreverent tone, a dry, academic essay won’t work, even if the topic is relevant. If the publication values deeply reported work, a loosely structured personal reflection might not be the right fit.

When sending a pitch or cover letter, show that you’re familiar with the publication. Reference past articles that are similar to your piece and explain how your work builds on or complements what they’ve already published. This signals to the editor that you’ve done your research and that your work is a natural fit.

Understand the Publication’s Relationship with Writers

Some publications have a history of working with the same contributors repeatedly, while others actively seek new voices. If a magazine or journal frequently publishes work from the same group of writers, breaking in might be more challenging, but not impossible. Pay attention to whether they run open calls for submissions or if they primarily publish staff writers and freelancers with established reputations.

For academic journals, consider whether they favor submissions from early-career researchers or if they primarily publish established scholars. Some journals have mentorship opportunities or encourage submissions from first-time authors, while others have a more competitive, closed-off process. Understanding these dynamics can help you determine the best way to position your work.

TL;DR

Studying a publication before submitting allows you to tailor your approach, refine your style, and present your work in a way that aligns with editorial expectations.

By focusing on your niche, analyzing past issues, and paying attention to voice, tone, and structure, you increase your chances of getting published.

Editors want pieces that seamlessly fit their publication, and the more you demonstrate that you understand their needs, the more likely you are to succeed.