The Tech Article Publication Process
I realized I've been talking about specific aspects of the (online) publishing process without having first provided an overview of it. Kind of like being handed pieces to a puzzle without seeing the whole picture. Sorry about that.
Publications receive articles by soliciting specific authors and/or receiving unsolicited ideas from potential authors. The process is a little different for each. For now, I'll focus on the unsolicited approach because those who have been solicited for articles most likely already know the process.
Those submitting unsolicited ideas (usually through an e-mail address or submission form) should briefly describe the article, explain why it's important, and state the technologies involved.
After the editor reviews the idea and accepts the article, he will reply to the author and may ask for a more detailed proposal. When and if the editor accepts the article for publication, he should send out the writers agreement, along with deadline dates and a publication timeframe (i.e. within a month after submission). If the writer has any questions at all about the agreement, this is the time to ask them. If the author is fine with the agreement, he should send it back before submitting the article.
Once the editor receives the article, he should peruse it to get an idea of how much editing will be required. Between the submission date and publication date, the editor should work with the author to fine tune the article.
Once the article has satisfied the publication requirements, it's good to go. The article and author are now published. Kindly inform the author that his article is online and ready for reader feedback.
This obviously has been a simplified view of the process. Missteps can occur and issues can arise at any time, but this is fodder for future blogging.
Good luck!