Many astronomers are familiar with the TEX computer typesetting system. A considerable number of them now use an editor and TEX in tandem as a word processor, composing many diverse forms such as letters, memoranda, recipes, party invitations, and even books and journal articles. Most of this material is distributed informally (via laser printer and photocopier), although some commercial firms have begun to produce technical volumes using TEX as the primary typesetting engine.
In this paper, we review the production cycles of three journals with which astronomers are likely to be acquainted. These are the Physical Review, Astronomy and Astrophysics, and the Australian Journal of Physics.