189 The Choice of Journals (2/2)

”As your paper is, like the two board members commented, ‘groundbreaking’, I’m sure you can publish your paper on a suitable journal. When more people start citing your paper, you can get way more arcana credits than what you have now,” said Lazar excitedly to Lucien.

”That’s right. About two or three months later after you publish your paper, you can look forward to getting more credits from other people’s work, haha.” Eric also found it pretty interesting, ”If three months later, Evans, you haven't passed our arcana assessment to get the one basic arcana credit, you would be the first sorcerer who has more than ten arcana credits but no arcana level.”

Hearing their comments, Lucien seized the chance and asked, ”Then, which journal should I choose, Mr. Eric? Lazar? Personally speaking, I think the topic of my paper, sound wave, is quite limited, and maybe not many sorcerers would cite my work.”

”That’s right. Besides, after a period of time in which you can get a lot of credits, more and more sorcerers would start citing other people’s paper that are developed based on your paper, but not your original paper anymore. You will still have some credits coming to you from this paper, but surely it’ll get slower and more steady.” Eric nodded, ”If you want to have your paper to be cited more often, of course, Arcana and Magic, these two journals are the most influential ones in this magic world, but in most cases, they only publish the most important studies from the greatest arcanists, so probably they’re not part of your choice by now.”

Lucien nodded. He knew that Mr. Eric’s suggestion was very reasonable.

”Then there are another forty-two different journals, including eleven journals belonging to different schools, seven sponsored by the divisions of the congress, three index journals, eighteen in the subdivision fields, three for junior arcanists. The other small ones have not been approved by the congress, and you will not get any arcana credits with them,” explained Eric.

”I see. Can you be a bit more specific, Mr. Eric?” asked Lucien.

”Both Element and Holm Journal are very influential, but they’re also very strict. Personally speaking, I won’t recommend you to try these two, Evans, because your paper might not be important enough yet.” As the director of Sorcerer Administrative Department, Eric analyzed carefully for Lucien.

”So I shall choose those ones in the subdivision fields?” Lucien tilted his head a bit.

”Sound Wave is obviously the most authoritative one for your paper among all of them, and it’s still relatively influential. Common Arcana, while being more influential than Sound Wave, is also stricter with reviewing the papers.” After pausing a bit, Eric continued, ”If you send the paper to Arcana Discussion or Journal of Magic Research, the two comprehensive journals specifically for low-level arcanists, I’m sure that your paper would be published, but their influence is not that good at all. So, to conclude, to take risk or to play it safe, it all depends on yourself, Evans.”

Lucien nodded sincerely, ”I understand. Thank you for your detailed explanation, Mr. Eric.”

”No worries. This is my responsibility.” Eric’s stubborn face had a bit of a smile on it, ”It’s almost six now. Evans, take your time to think about it tonight, and try to send the paper tomorrow before the journal is published this month.”

Lazar also gave his suggestion, ”I’d suggest Sound Wave. After all, it’s the most authoritative one in this field.”

”I hear you, Lazar. And I’ll definitely think about it,” responded Lucien. As he was saying, Lucien handed his arcana badge to Eric to activate it.

Taking over the badge, when Eric was just about to deal with it, he noticed the third folder in the cage which was ignored by all of them just now.

Confusedly, Eric opened the folder.

”What’s in there, Mr. Eric?” asked Lazar curiously.

Holding the folder in his hands, Eric’s face looked even more surprised than before. Turning around, Eric first took a deep breath and then said to Lucien, ”Evans, Common Arcana wants to make an arrangement with you for your paper’s contribution. If you’re willing to send your paper to them, they promise that your paper would be among the first fifteen most important papers this month.”

As a level three arcanist, Eric never received any contribution invitations, but only many rejection letters.