As part of its mandate to serve the needs of graduate students and those about to enter the profession, the GECC organized a panel on article publication for the 2010 annual meeting of the Association. Regardless of one’s area of specialization, scholarly publication forms the bedrock of how historians communicate with one another. The GECC wanted to provide a primer on how to navigate one aspect of the publication world—the article. I am delighted that several of the panel participants—Peter Coclanis (Univ. of North Carolina), Cathy Kelly (Univ. of Oklahoma), and Elizabeth Shermer (Loyola Univ.)—agreed to share their expertise with a wider readership through Perspectives on History.

Each of these authors brings a range of advice and commentary on the present state of publishing, including the increased presence of online opportunities for publication. Coclanis describes the rationale behind article publication and gives some important “dos” and “don’ts” for prospective authors. Kelly explores the benefits and challenges of electronic publication. And Shermer discusses her personal experiences of publishing as a graduate student, including how publishing plans fit into her larger goal of keeping her dissertation and graduation on track.

The GECC thanks the panelists for making their thoughts available in Perspectives on History. All graduate students and early career professionals are encouraged to consult the GECC web site for additional information on professional issues

Aaron Marrs is chair of the Graduate and Early Career Committee (GECC).