Q. When sending a paper manuscript for approval of publication in a journal, should it be softbound or sent as loose papers?
A. Always loose! An editor doesn’t want to wrestle with a binding in order to isolate selected pages to photocopy, scan, stick in a briefcase, hand to a colleague, or use for scrap paper. (Ahem—forget that last one.) And don’t forget to check with your publisher for guidelines. Many prefer electronic submissions.