This essay looks mainly at the reviewing and, to some extent, the editing of the writing for publication which most of us carry out as academics, educational developers, and through the range of our roles. The findings reveal tensions, richness, processes and practices. Some of the responses concern academic identity, some the relationship to the discipline, while others focus on the processes and the politics of reviewing and editing, the actual practice, finessing, justice and fairness. Several themes emerge concerning the politics and practices of writing, reviewing and editing for successful publication which include: (1) Publishing and the academic role: academic identities as writers and peer reviewers. (2) Practice of reviewing: ‘tough love’ – reviewers balancing support with gatekeeping. (3) Professionalising editing and reviewing.