Overview of the Writing Process
Do you want to write for the
ACLP Bulletin, but don’t know where to begin? The
Bulletin Committee wants to encourage all aspiring writers to contribute to our organization’s quarterly publication. Many individuals feel overwhelmed by the possibility of publishing an article for all to see, but taking the process one step at a time can help make it seem more manageable. For advice from the Bulletin editorial board, see the
Writing Process Guidelines.
Who can write for ACLP Bulletin?
Anyone in, or invested in, the child life community can write and publish in ACLP Bulletin, including students, clinicians, academics, retired professionals, professionals in related fields, and recipients of child life services. The ACLP Bulletin strives to promote a sense of community and belonging through the publication of diverse articles written by individuals with varying experiences. Certified Child Life Specialists can also earn PDUs for publishing in ACLP Bulletin. For more information, view the Recertification Manual.
How to submit an article to ACLP Bulletin:
Step 1: Submit the ACLP Bulletin Article Form.
Whether you have an idea, outline, or full draft of an article, the first step is to complete an ACLP Bulletin Article Submission form on the website that includes the following information:
- Corresponding author (the primary contact person for this article) information
- Information needed for bylines of all contributing authors (name, credentials, title, workplace)
- Current state of the article: inspiration/outlining stage or initial draft
Though the form includes different questions depending on whether you are submitting an idea or a full draft, all prospective authors will need to identify:
- Intended audience: Identify broadly who in the child life community is most likely to be interested in the content of your article. Is this article intended for the entire child life audience, or are you primarily communicating to a sub-group, such as child life specialists working in emergency rooms or with chronic populations, child life students, child life department leaders, or child life academic professionals?
- Purpose statement: Write 1 sentence that describes the purpose of the article and provides a preview of the main points or topics to be covered. This sentence should inform a reader why they want to read the article and what they can expect. Purpose statements should be straightforward and can begin simply, “In this article, I will…” or “The purpose of this article is to…”
If you are ready to submit your article, there will be a place to upload your draft (.doc file format) and any images for consideration to include (optional). You will also be asked to review and agree to terms and conditions of publication in ACLP Bulletin.
Submit the ACLP Bulletin Article Form
Step 2: ACLP Bulletin Editorial Review
The ACLP Bulletin editorial team will review the submission and determine next steps, which might include:
- Sending a submitted article to the Bulletin Committee for review
- Providing initial feedback to the author for article development or revision
- Meeting between author and editorial team to discuss article ideas or revisions or to provide writing support
Submissions are reviewed on a rolling basis as they are received. Authors can expect to hear feedback or next steps for their article or idea within 4 weeks.
Step 3: Bulletin Committee Review
Members of the Bulletin Committee will then conduct a thorough review of the article. Committee feedback will be compiled and sent to the author by the managing editor.
Step 4: Article Revisions
The editorial team will work with the author to make any necessary revisions to the article. This step may involve several rounds of revision and discussion depending on the needs of individual articles and authors.
Step 5: Final Proofread
The editorial team will conduct a final proofread of the article to ensure no grammar, spelling, or syntax errors remain.
Step 6: Publish!
The article will then be slated to publish in an upcoming issue of ACLP Bulletin. The editorial team does not guarantee placement of an accepted article in a particular issue and may at its discretion hold an article for publication in a future issue.