Writing and publishing articles in academic and professional journals can be an important aspect of career development in our profession. In April 2024, we surveyed 45 authors who contributed to the Almanac in 2023 and 2024. We received 16 responses. While we recognize this is a small survey, the insights from the Almanac contributors revealed the motivations behind their submissions, the challenges they faced during the writing process, and the impact publishing had on their careers.
The primary motivation for submitting articles to the Almanac varied among contributors. Thirty-seven percent of respondents indicated that they were approached by members of the Almanac Editorial Board or others to contribute. Fifty-seven percent indicated they had an idea or project relevant to the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) community that they wanted to share. Take home: If you know of a colleague who has done great work, or if your team just wrapped up a project, that might be your sign to write an article.
The most commonly reported difficulty facing authors (68%) was the writing process itself. Several respondents indicated that crafting the article was the most demanding aspect, which aligns with the general challenges associated with scholarly writing. Additionally, a few contributors highlighted difficulties in coordinating with co-authors, especially encouraging them to submit their sections on time. Take home: Be aware of the potential obstacles that might derail your efforts and think about how you will address these in advance. For example, add a few weeks buffer into your timeline when writing with other contributors. You can also use generative AI to help you brainstorm or create a first draft. (In fact, this author used ChatGPT to do just that for this article!)
Despite the challenges, the respondents reported positive impacts from their experience of publishing in the Almanac. Contributors noted a range of benefits, from personal satisfaction and pride in seeing their work published to tangible career advancements. For instance, one respondent mentioned that publishing allowed them to apply for and become a Fellow of the Alliance and another was able to meet CHCP recertification requirements. Another common theme was the opportunity to work with others and build professional relationships, which can be invaluable for networking and future collaborations. Finally, another indicated their publication helped their company achieve commendation with their accrediting organization. Take home: Consider what your “why publish” might be and remind yourself of these goals in order to help you finish the task.
Although a small sample, these survey results indicate that publishing in the Almanac is a valuable experience for many contributors. The Almanac Editorial Board is committed to publishing articles from new authors. We also have members of the editorial board willing to work with people interested in publishing. We hope these survey insights inspire you to take out your pen and paper, keyboard or notes app and get to writing!
Ready to get started? Review Almanac submission guidelines, and then submit your article via our online submission form.
Erin Schwarz is the President of Vivacity Consulting. Vivacity provides consulting services to organizations with the goal of improving their CE program and ensuring compliance. In addition to helping 27+ organizations achieve ACCME accreditation, she has served as the program manager for 14+ longitudinal clinical activities. Erin volunteers as the Chair of the Almanac Editorial Board; has presented at the Alliance, ACCME, CMEPalooza and SCMEC meetings; and has co-authored 14 articles published in peer reviewed journals.