Leslie H. Nicoll emphasizes the critical importance of adhering to manuscript length requirements for journal submissions. Many journals specify length, and failing to comply can lead to immediate rejection. Authors should conduct thorough research and analysis of published articles to determine appropriate word counts, ensuring their work aligns with editors' expectations for successful publication.
Author: Leslie H. Nicoll
Leslie H. Nicoll, PhD, MBA, RN, FAAN has more than 50 years experience as a nurse, researcher, author, and editor. She is the Editor Emeritus for CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing and the current Editor of Visions: Science of Rogerian Nursing Scholarship. She is the Founder and President of Maine Desk, LLC. Writer's Camp is a business venture of Maine Desk and an exciting resource for excellence in writing, editing, and publishing.
The Word is Spreading!
Leslie H. Nicoll, Director of Writer's Camp, expresses appreciation for the support received, especially from Jan Fulton, who featured Writer's Camp in the Clinical Nurse Specialist journal. Nicoll highlights the availability of new articles, the Writer's Camp Bugle, and upcoming educational events, noting a growing community of 250 subscribers.
Email Hints and Caveats: Advice for Authors
The content discusses essential email etiquette for professionals, particularly authors and editors. Key points include the importance of using a simple, professional email address, maintaining consistency in contact details, creating a clear signature with necessary credentials, and ensuring attention to formatting. Adhering to these standards enhances communication and reflects professinalism.
Writer’s Camp Bugle #9
A school bus signaled the start of the academic year in Maine, inspiring reflections on the beauty of September and October. Writer's Camp continues its activities with articles and CAMPOREES. Congratulations to counselors Jayne Jennings Dunlap and Julee Briscoe Waldrop for winning a prestigious nursing book award and to new counselor Melissa Anne DuBois.
Manuscript Success
This is the Manuscript Success series, conveniently compiled into one place! Posts
Live from INANE 2025
These are all the posts from our reporter, Melissa Anne Dubois, at the INANE 2025 conference held in Portland, Maine on August 4, 5 & 6, 2025. Live Reports from INANE
Writer’s Camp Bugle #8
Our second CAMPOREE was held on Friday, August 15 and like the first, it was a success! Thank you to everyone who attended. I recorded the session and it is posted on The Writer's CAMPOREE page. If you were not able to attend, or if you want a refresher, hop on over to the Writer's … Continue reading Writer’s Camp Bugle #8
Using Generative Artificial Intelligence for Reformatting References in Scholarly Writing
Generative AI tools like ChatGPT are impacting nursing scholarship by assisting in various tasks, but concerns about accuracy, bias, and plagiarism persist. Authors must ensure the reliability of AI-generated content and disclose its use in their work. For reference formatting, traditional management software is more reliable than AI.
Manuscript Success: Writing the First Draft
Leslie H. Nicoll emphasizes the importance of preparation for successful manuscript writing. Key steps include selecting a journal, preparing guidelines, and creating a Manuscript Math Outline. Writers should establish their environment, select optimal writing times, and utilize short writing periods effectively. Finally, editing and feedback enhance the drafting process for successful publication.
The Manuscript Math Outline
Leslie H. Nicoll introduces the Manuscript Math Outline (MMO), a structured approach to writing that emphasizes single-idea paragraphs. Each paragraph serves as a building block, guiding the manuscript's development while ensuring clarity and organization. Nicoll discusses organizing content and maintaining appropriate manuscript length for publication.
Wrestling with the Muse: The Journey of Learning to Write
Marsha Fowler shares seven essential lessons from her writing journey, emphasizing the importance of writing on topics of passion and understanding personal writing rhythms. She advocates for recognizing one's unique process, whether bolus or steady drip, and rethinking experiences often labeled as writer’s block, viewing them instead as necessary periods of mental preparation.
Template Article Analysis: How To Do It
Leslie H. Nicoll, PhD, outlines a structured approach to effectively analyze a template article as part of the Manuscript Success Process. Key steps include counting paragraphs, identifying heading levels, and adding paragraphs to sections. This method allows for a clearer understanding of the article's structure and is crucial for organizing one's own writing.