Submission and publication fees charged by academic journals help cover the costs of publishing articles. Submission fees are paid when initially submitting a manuscript, while publication fees are paid prior to publishing. Fees vary between journals, with some basing fees on word count or page number and others on the author's academic position. While authors are responsible for fees, many journals offer discounts, waivers, or financial assistance depending on the author's country, institution, or demonstrated financial need. It is important for authors to research a journal's fee policies to understand options that may be available.