Q: “How do I find out what a journal’s style expectations are?”

A: Kären Hess, the author or co-author of more than 30 trade books and college-level textbooks on a variety of topics including financial planning, dental marketing, art, literature, engineering, hospice care, reading, management and report writing:

“Most journals publish their manuscript requirements (usually at the end of the journal). Also, read several articles from the journal(s) of interest to see what gets published.”

A: Michael Lennie, Authoring Attorney and Literary Agent, Lennie Literary and Authors’ Attorneys:

“Ask for the journal’s style sheet; go to their website; or ask the editor.”

A: Richard Hull. Former TAA Executive Director:

“Most journals that are strongly edited will provide a style guide, either in each issue of the journal or on the website of the journal. It is extremely important to maximizing your chances to conform your submission to the journal’s style when you first submit it. Doing so shows you care about the look of your work as well as the problems that editors have; anything you can do to minimize editorial work will be very appreciated, and can move you into a sooner rather than later publication.”