# Submission Prep > Prepare manuscripts for journal submission. Use when writing cover letters, checking submission requirements, or preparing figures and tables. Works well with human-writing and manuscript-writing skills. Use when this capability is needed. - Skill: `tomevault-io/submission-prep` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/submission-prep` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/submission-prep/raw - Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS) - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Coding & Dev Tools - Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io) - Updated: 2026-09-17 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/submission-prep --- # Submission Preparation Guide This guide covers preparing a manuscript for journal submission. ## When to Use This Skill - Writing cover letters - Preparing figures and tables for submission - Checking manuscript against requirements - Resubmitting revised manuscripts **Combine with:** `human-writing` for cover letter prose, `manuscript-writing` for structure. ## Pre-Submission Overview ### Required Components (Typical) | Component | Description | |-----------|-------------| | Cover letter | Introduces manuscript to editor | | Manuscript | Main text with all sections | | Title page | Title, authors, affiliations, corresponding author | | Abstract | Standalone summary | | Figures | Each as separate high-resolution file | | Tables | Often embedded or as separate files | | Supplementary materials | Additional data, methods, figures | | Author statements | Conflicts, contributions, ethics | ### Before You Start 1. **Identify target journal** - Match scope to your work 2. **Read author guidelines** - Every journal differs 3. **Check recent issues** - Understand what they publish 4. **Note specific requirements** - Word limits, figure formats, etc. ## Cover Letter Essentials ### Purpose - Introduce your manuscript to the editor - Explain why it fits the journal - Highlight significance - Address any special circumstances ### Key Elements 1. Editor's name (if known) 2. Manuscript title 3. Statement that work is original and not submitted elsewhere 4. Brief summary of findings and significance 5. Why this journal is appropriate 6. Any required statements (conflicts, prior posting, etc.) 7. Suggested/excluded reviewers (if requested) ### Cover Letter Length - Keep to one page - 3-4 paragraphs maximum - Be specific but concise See [COVER_LETTER_TEMPLATES.md](COVER_LETTER_TEMPLATES.md) for templates. ## Figure and Table Basics ### Figures **Resolution requirements:** | Type | Minimum | Preferred | |------|---------|-----------| | Line art | 600 DPI | 1200 DPI | | Halftone (photos) | 300 DPI | 600 DPI | | Combination | 600 DPI | 1200 DPI | **Common formats:** - TIFF (preferred for final submission) - EPS (vector graphics) - PDF (often accepted) - JPEG (only for photos, maximum quality) **Size guidelines:** - Single column: ~85 mm (3.3 in) - 1.5 column: ~114 mm (4.5 in) - Double column: ~170 mm (6.7 in) ### Tables **Best practices:** - One table per concept - Clear, descriptive title - Column headers with units - Footnotes for abbreviations and statistics - No vertical lines (typically) - Consistent decimal places See [FIGURE_TABLE_GUIDELINES.md](FIGURE_TABLE_GUIDELINES.md) for detailed specifications. ## Common Mistakes to Avoid ### Manuscript - [ ] Exceeding word/page limits - [ ] Missing sections required by journal - [ ] Incorrect reference format - [ ] Inconsistent terminology - [ ] Missing ethics statements ### Figures - [ ] Resolution too low - [ ] Text too small to read when printed - [ ] Colors not accessible (colorblind-friendly) - [ ] Missing scale bars - [ ] Inconsistent labeling (A vs a vs (a)) ### Tables - [ ] Too complex (split into multiple tables) - [ ] Redundant with figures - [ ] Missing units - [ ] Inconsistent formatting ### Submission System - [ ] Wrong file formats - [ ] Missing metadata - [ ] Incorrect author order - [ ] Forgetting supplementary files ## Submission Checklist See [SUBMISSION_CHECKLIST.md](SUBMISSION_CHECKLIST.md) for comprehensive checklist. ### Quick Check - [ ] Cover letter complete - [ ] All sections present and within limits - [ ] All authors listed with correct affiliations - [ ] Figures high-resolution, correct format - [ ] Tables formatted correctly - [ ] References complete and correctly formatted - [ ] All required statements included - [ ] Files named according to guidelines ## Resubmission Specifics When resubmitting after revision: ### Cover Letter Adjustments - Reference original manuscript number - Summarize major changes - Thank editor and reviewers - Note any author changes ### Required Documents - Response to reviewers (point-by-point) - Revised manuscript (clean copy) - Revised manuscript (tracked changes) - Updated figures if changed - Updated supplementary if changed ### Checklist Additions - [ ] All reviewer comments addressed - [ ] Page/line numbers in response letter match manuscript - [ ] Both clean and tracked versions submitted - [ ] Any new authors properly added - [ ] Cover letter references previous submission ## Related Files - [COVER_LETTER_TEMPLATES.md](COVER_LETTER_TEMPLATES.md) - Template letters - [SUBMISSION_CHECKLIST.md](SUBMISSION_CHECKLIST.md) - Complete checklist - [FIGURE_TABLE_GUIDELINES.md](FIGURE_TABLE_GUIDELINES.md) - Technical specifications --- > Converted and distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io/claim/shandley) — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.