Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts. This requires not that the writer make all sentences short, or that he avoid all detail and treat his subjects only in outline, but that every word tell.

   William Strunk, Jr., The Elements of Style (MacMillan Publishing Company, New York, 1979), 3rd ed., p. 23.

 Editors of archival physics research journals feel a strong pressure to publish whatever appears to be new and technically correct. The most prestigious journals also have additional criteria of importance and general interest to the journal's readership. The American Journal of Physics has similar criteria but for a different audience. In addition to these stated criteria, many editors are subject to financial constraints which limit the number of pages that may be published in their journals.

 AJP uses reviewers to help gauge the technical accuracy, pedagogical significance, novelty, interest, and clarity of writing of the manuscripts submitted for publication. Each reviewer weighs these criteria differently. However, few reviewers concern themselves about the limited amount of space in the journal. Because we do not have page charges, the journal costs the authors and the readers the same amount independent of the number of pages. However, the cost to the American Association of Physics Teachers, which publishes the journal, is roughly proportional to the number of pages printed. At the present time we are running into a difficult situation where the backlog of pages ready to print is growing, and thus the delay between submission and publication is rising. We estimate that we are now receiving about 10--20% more submissions than before the journal began to accept electronic submissions in July, 2001. In addition, the typical length per manuscript is about 20% longer. Thus, unless something changes, the backlog of manuscripts will continue to increase. These increases in submissions and manuscript length are not unique to AJP and are affecting other physics journals as well. We suspect that one cause is the electronic generation of manuscripts, but there might be other reasons as well.

 This backlog cannot continue to increase indefinitely. We have already begun to tighten our review process so that manuscripts are not accepted if there is not enthusiastic support from the reviewers, even though reviewers might mildly recommend acceptance. We are increasing our efforts to ensure that the length of each manuscript is appropriate. Thus, long manuscripts that deliver very little may be rejected, while shorter manuscripts providing the same value may be accepted. In general, marginal material, such as unnecessary figures, long tables of data, and computer program listings, will need to be placed on EPAPS before we accept the manuscript. (Placing programs and additional data on EPAPS might actually improve the manuscript.)

 We encourage authors to work hard to limit the number of pages in their submissions. Most articles in AJP should be no more than five journal pages. Think carefully about how to best organize your manuscript so that only the most important material is presented, but the manuscript is still largely self-contained. Resist the temptation to write about everything you know on the subject. Avoid repetition and avoid providing many examples when one will do. Many straightforward derivations can be replaced by problems for students. Also, the focus must be on the physics and not on the mathematical manipulations. The most common reason for rejection is that the ratio of physical insight to mathematical manipulation is too low.

 Another consideration is the need for balance in the journal. Most of the submissions are mathematical and theoretical in nature. We wish to publish such manuscripts, but we cannot publish as many as we receive (even if they are technically correct and well written). Thus, we try to be more selective for these types of manuscripts than we would be for others.

 In spite of the need for shorter manuscripts, we suggest that as you write your first draft, do not censor yourself. It is easier to cut things out in a draft, than to plan a concise paper in advance. Just being aware of the criteria used by AJP should help you to produce a manuscript more likely to be appropriate for publication in AJP. Make it interesting, avoid unnecessary complications, and of course make sure your manuscript is correct! We look forward to your submissions.