So You Want to be an Author: A Primer on Writing for Publication in the Medical Literature Part I: Manuscript Preparation.

Writing a manuscript on a topic in the medical sciences that gets accepted for publication is not always a guaranteed process. The goal of this article is to provide a description of some key points associated with preparing a manuscript. It has been written primarily for less experienced or aspiring authors, but it addresses points that are important for even well-established authors to consider. Although there may not be a direct path from scientific observation to published work, possessing the desire to publish and persevering throughout the process can ultimately lead to one's findings being both preserved in and contributing to the scientific literature. Although challenging, and at times frustrating, it is a rewarding endeavor.