To submit a new manuscript to the journal go to Bench>Press and sign in using your email address and password. You must be registered with the system - if this is your first visit, you must first create a Bench>Press account.

Click on the Author Area button and click on Sign In.

Once in your Author Area click on the Submit a New Manuscript link. You will be directed to the manuscript submission screens where you enter your manuscript details (title, author information, figure information etc.) in the appropriate fields. There are 7 short pages to complete before your manuscript is uploaded to the system.

All fields are self-explanatory and have hints and tips adjacent to each field; however, click here if you would like to read step by step guidelines to completing your submission.

Ensure that the manuscript file uploaded to Bench>Press includes where relevant the:

1. Abstract.

2. Tables embedded in the manuscript file (where cited is preferable).

3. A competing interest statement.

4. Acknowledgements.

5. Funding information.

6. Ethics Committee approval.

7. References (must include the word references before the list).

8. Any appendices.

View detailed guidelines on formatting your manuscript and images (including tips on creating your own PDF).

View further information regarding online only and supplementary material which can be uploaded with your manuscript to support your submission.

Once you have uploaded your files to Bench>Press, the system will convert all your files to a single PDF for reviewing purposes. This may take 2 - 30 minutes. An email will be sent to you once it has been converted asking you to re-enter the site and approve your manuscript to complete submission.

Occasionally there may be problems with the conversion that results in a conversion error. An email will be sent to you informing you which files have caused the conversion error. This will usually be because an incorrect file format has been uploaded (further guidance on file formats).

Correct your manuscript and click on the Manuscript Conversion Error queue in your Author Area to re-upload your manuscript.

If you experience any problems please feedback{at}bmjgroup.com.

Before the manuscript is considered to be formally submitted to the journal you are asked to check your manuscript metadata and approve the conversion of your manuscript file(s). Click on the Submissions ready for you to approve queue in your Author Area. You will be required to approve 3 areas:

1. The manuscript metadata.

2. The author details.

3. The conversion of your manuscript file and references.

You must check the box at the end of each section confirming that the data and manuscript conversion are correct. If you wish to edit any of the sections click on Edit This Section. If your manuscript has not converted correctly or you wish to make a change to the manuscript before submission click on Reupload manuscript and/or image files. Any new files you upload will enter the conversion process again. You are able to edit your references without uploading a new manuscript file. Open the references section and click on Edit references.

Further guidance on preparing references correctly.

Once you have approved all sections, click on the Approve button at the bottom of the page. An email will be sent to you confirming your submission to the journal.

Please note: if you are unable to complete your submission in one sitting, you are able to return at a later stage and complete your partial submission. Please go to the [Submissions/Revisions in Progress] queue to complete the submission. Do not start the submission again.