Winning the Publications Game - 4th Edition (2016)

Know the game 11
encouraging you to see writing as a craft that can be
learnt, not as a gift from the gods. Stripping away some
of the mythology surrounding scientific papers and the
world of journals should encourage more and more writers
to have a go. And this in turn should raise standards.
Implications for the reader of this book
What this means for you, as an intending writer, is that
you should stop being intimidated by those who appear
to be more successful at writing than you. Take them
less seriously; treat the writing business as a game. The
rules are simple: when you have written a paper that has
been published in your journal of first choice, you are
the winner.
j CHECKPOINT
Before proceeding to Chapter 2 you should understand
that you can win the publications game by becoming
a published author. Do not let others discourage you.
BOOKCHOICE: An editor’s view of the game
Smith R (2006) The Trouble with Medical Journals.
Royal Society of Medicine Press, London.
In the first two editions I recommended a book published
in 1991 and edited by Stephen Lock, outgoing editor