For our November 2025 meeting, diASIApora had its first inter-campus gathering, as graduate students Yale, Princeton, and Penn joined us via zoom for a session on navigating academic journal publishing. Also joining us were the editors of the two preeminent Asian American Studies journals: Rick Bonus, professor of Ethnic Studies at the University of Washington and editor of the Journal of Asian American Studies and Alon: Journal for Filipinx American and Diasporic Studies, and Victor Bascara, Professor of Asian American studies at UCLA and editor of Amerasia Journal. They demystified the submission process, walking participants through every step from initial table review through peer evaluation to final publication, emphasizing that academic publishing requires significant patience.

Both editors brought a refreshingly compassionate perspective to their editorial roles. They emphasized the importance of making clear arguments and understanding journal fit, while encouraging scholars to seek the guidance of trusted advisors and to focus on their strongest work. The session balanced practical nuts-and-bolts advice with encouragement to find joy in the process of sharing valuable scholarship with the field.

Throughout the discussion, Bonus and Bascara spoke of the importance for editors to be advocates for emerging scholars rather than gatekeepers, stressing their own commitment to supporting transformative scholarship even when it involves risk. This was an especially apt message at a time of uncertainty for ethnic studies and higher education. We’re grateful to Professors Bonus and Bascara for their tireless, critical work for Asian American Studies, and for so generously sharing their time, wisdom, and encouragement with our group of emerging scholars.

Here are some of the key pieces of advice they offered on publishing a first article:

On Timing and Finding the Right Journal:

  • Publishing as a graduate student can provide valuable feedback and strengthen job applications
  • However, the dissertation should remain the priority. It is what gives you your degree
  • Don’t rush to publish before work is ready, but don’t wait too long if you have strong, timely scholarship
  • Read the journals where you want to publish and make sure your work engages with the kinds of essays they feature and consider “fit” over prestige. Journals with reasonable acceptance rates may be a better strategy than lottery-ticket submissions to the most elite journals
  • Many journals welcome both creative submissions and publish special issues alongside regular submissions. For professional purposes (tenure), consider discipline-specific journals for creative work

Before Submission and Writing Strategy:

  • Get honest feedback from trusted advisors about your readiness to submit
  • Focus on your strongest work rather than trying to publish multiple pieces simultaneously
  • Never submit first drafts. The work should be thoroughly revised before submission
  • If you are submitting a part of your dissertation, remove all references to other dissertation chapters. Journal articles require more focused scope and tend to be shorter  than dissertation chapters or seminar papers
  • Follow submission guidelines carefully (formatting, word count, anonymity protocols) State your interventions clearly and early

Understanding the Process and Navigating Peer Review:

  • Academic publishing takes time, so expect the process to span many months
  • Submissions typically undergo editorial review before being sent to multiple peer reviewers
  • Double-blind peer review means both authors and reviewers are anonymous
  • You can and should communicate with editors if you have questions.
  • Parse lengthy reviews to address major conceptual concerns first, then tackle technical edits
  • Detailed reviews indicate reviewer commitment—they invested significant labor in helping you improve
  • Have a trusted mentor help you interpret reviews, especially your first ones

Final Reminders:

  • Take pleasure in the publication process. This is your chance to share valuable work
  • Take breaks during the revision process
  • Celebrate when your work is published
  • Remember that journals are committed to defending strong, transformative scholarship, even when it involves risk
  • The process can serve as “free advising”—expert feedback from scholars in your field