1. Geography writing workshop Peter Jackson and the editorial collective GA annual conference, Derby, April 2010

2. Outline and aims To help potential authors (including PGCE and Masters students) learn how to write for publication To ‘de-mystify’ the publication process To think about audiences, content and style To help overcome common writing problems To encourage you to work up an initial idea into a publishable article (for Geography or elsewhere).

3. Know your journal What is the journal’s editorial policy? – Different aims for Geography, Teaching Geography, Journal of Geography in Higher Education etc. – ‘Geography aims to re-energise the subject … by stimulating dialogue and debate about the essential character and contribution of the subject’ What is the target audience/readership? – ‘Articles … should be relevant to geographers and educationalists in schools, colleges and universities worldwide’.

4. Geography welcomes articles which… Provide scholarly summaries of current research Explore the implications of changes in the subject and in education Make meaningful connections between everyday life, public policy and geographical understanding Foster a critical and analytical approach to the subject, challenging popular assumptions Explore opportunities to gain geographical insights from other disciplines.

5. Different kinds of article In each issue of Geography, we aim to publish: – an editorial – 5 or 6 main articles (3-4000 words, refereed) – Challenging Assumptions (1-2000 words) – This Changing World (1500 words) – Spotlight on… (2000 words) – book reviews Some articles are commissioned; some are unprompted submissions.

6. Refereeing process Main articles are assigned to a member of the Editorial Collective Sent to two referees (often including one from the editorial advisory panel plus one other) Recommendations: accept as is, accept subject to revisions, revise and resubmit, reject Letter from editor, summarising decision.

7. Developing your ideas Articles often start out as conference presentations or as a dissertation (an idea you want to share) Can also build on recent article/debate (situate your work in current literature: identify a gap, highlight your contribution) Ask what’s at stake? Why would a busy teacher or lecturer be interested in reading your paper?

8. Workshop/discussion As a reader, what makes a good article? As a potential contributor, what would help you turn your ideas into a publishable paper? What are the obstacles? What practical help is available?

9. Editorial help Talk to the Editorial Collective Help from the editorial office (sourcing illustrations, copyright issues, formatting papers etc) Other publications (e.g. Alison Blunt & Catherine Souch: Publishing in geography: a guide for new researchers, RGS-IBG).