Academic publishing can seem like an insurmountable challenge. Developing impactful research, selecting the right journal for that research, and then navigating tough reviews can be daunting. Without clear guidance, even the most promising research can struggle to find its place in the academic landscape.

Andrew Schoenfeld, MD, MSc, an inaugural 20 Under 40 Honoree, NASS Strategic Growth Council Chair, and Spine Editor in Chief, set out to simplify the process in An Insider’s Guide to Academic Publishing in Orthopaedic and Spine Surgery. “I’m quite regularly asked, ‘what’s the best resource that is a one-stop guide to the construction of research products and navigating the submissions and peer review processes?’” says Schoenfeld. “There wasn’t a single, concise guide available—that’s the vacuum that we intended to fill with this new book.”

With experience behind the scenes at several leading journals, Schoenfeld sees first-hand how misunderstood the peer-review process is. “One of the biggest misconceptions is that peer-review is akin to a judicial hearing. So, if you get two good reviews and one unfavorable one, you should win out and get published. But that is really not the case,” he explains. “Even a single profound reviewer concern, as well as input from various editors, might outweigh even several positive sentiments from other peer reviewers.”

Beyond clearing up misconceptions, the book outlines the essential steps in study design, manuscript writing, and journal selection. He emphasizes that large data aren’t a shortcut to strong research. “If you’re working with a large sample size, but studying a rare complication like DVT or PE that is only present in a handful of instances, it will limit what can be done with the substrate and what conclusions can be drawn.”

What makes a paper not just publishable, but impactful? Schoenfeld boils it down to novelty, rigor, and timing. “The papers with the greatest impact are not just timely but provide a novel paradigm or new outlook for the field,” he says. “The best you can do is ensure your research is methodologically sound, addresses a compelling question, and is communicated effectively.”