paper is not everything. if you want to apply GC by NIW, you need to demonstrate how you can benefit the national interest. this is important. also you need to find some people with good background, i.e. president of international organization or conference, regular reviewer for many journal, PI from government agency or supported by many government funds, etc.
remember, you need to put all your items together to tell if you are qualified or not. paper is only one of them.
I know ***** got EB1 approved without journal paper.