In some fields, we find a whole lot of examples of co authorship while in some it is completely non-existent. A successful co-authored initiative helps all involved in their enhancement. For those who have been involved in co-authored initiatives in the past would not disagree with me, that it comes out to be by far the most rewarding experience one can have.
In these several experiences I have had as a co-author, there has been some level of inconsistency in satisfaction and excellence of the outcome. Not all of them have worked well equally. My experience says that when co authorship is planned meticulously and in an organised way, they are mutually beneficial. However, it can become a very unpleasant experience when the planning is foggy and there is a whole lot of non-clarity of objectives and outcomes. A few handy tips can help you to overcome these pitfalls in a way that you would be able to experience more productivity in your co authorship initiatives.
1. Initiate with the article outline: Before actually starting your co authorship venture, it is imperative to sit with your co-author to bring on to the desk the common goals. With the ideas clubbed together, draw an outline of the article. It would work as nothing less than the skeleton to your paper which would simplify your task by sharing responsibilities in a more structured manner. Do decide the time frames so as to come on a consensus. Remember, not everyone works on the same time frame and pace. Setting deadlines is very important. One way of writing the outline could be this:
| Name of the Chapter | Word Count | Responsible Author | Timeline |
| Introduction | 500 | Author 1 | 1/30 |
| Background | 1000 | Author 1 & 2 | 2/10 |
| Reviewof Literature | 1500 | Author 2 | 2/25 |
| Methodology | 500 | Author 1 & 2 | 3/7 |
| Discussion | 1000 | Author 1 | 3/20 |
| Conclusion | 1000 | Author 2 | 3/30 |
| Review | Author 2 | 4/10 | |
| Review 2 | Author 1 | 4/15 | |
| Submission | Author 1 | 4/20 |
2. Come on consensus on most of the things: With respect to the paper, come on consensus for as many things as possible. Some things are imperative to agree upon with each other at the preliminary stage itself. Decide to agree upon the deadlines, the theoretical frame work and the targeted journal at least in the beginning itself. It may become a reason of disagreement at a later stage.
3. Be open to communicate throughout the process: find a comfortable means to stay in touch with each other. It should be suitable to both. Regular communication helps to resolve potential issues if any, at any stage during the venture.
4. Give responsibility of updating the document to one person: when there is clarity of who is working on which section at a particular time, it is important to ensure that at a particular time only one person works on the manuscript so that there isn’t any overlapping of work. This small confusion can put all your effort into vain so remember and be cautious!
5. Stay psychologically motivated: Remember to stay positive, keep the enthusiasm level high and do not leave your courtesies. Do not bring up issues in negative light. Keep in mind the shared goal and keep in mind the individual challenges. Respect each other’s strength, weaknesses and constraints.
In the end, remember, a well planning co-authored venture can get you to achieving scholarships and accolades which may be difficult for individuals. Happy n fruitful collaborations to you!!