When a chemical engineer can't format a coherent report or a doctor can't legibly scrawl a prescription, there could be serious consequences. When a writer can't correctly submit a magazine article, it might not result in explosions or death, but the writer might face rejection and will certainly appear unprofessional. Too many writers don't apply the same level of professionalism to their work as they would expect from an engineer or an M.D. Here are a few professional tips for article submission.

1 - Query first. A short query letter to the editor that explains the article's focus and outlines your experience needs to be edited and concise.

2 - Meet your deadline. Sounds simple, but did you know that most editors actually schedule their publishing calendar around late submissions because so many writers fail to meet their deadlines? If you're the writer that meets their deadlines, you'll probably receive another assignment from this editor.

3 - Follow guidelines. Stick to your assignment and follow the magazine's formatting guidelines including word count. Pay attention to margins, font, size and other formatting issues. If the magazine wants a hard copy, don't send your manuscript in an e-mail attachment.

4 - Paperclip, don't staple your pages together when mailing a hard copy. This makes it easier for the editor to separate the pages.

5 - Use high quality paper and use a fresh ink cartridge. When e-mailing, use the same professional tone as you would in a letter.