How do you follow up with editors and reviewers after submitting your cover letter and responses?

When contacting a reviewer or editor for an academic publication, it's essential to know the review process, often reviewers are anonymous. Given the current challenges in academia, including supply chain disruptions and limited reviewer availability, it's best to keep emails brief and polite. For example, "Dear [Editor's Name], I know you're busy. Could you please confirm if my submission '[Insert Title]' is still in the cue for publication? I'm only asking for a short yes or no." Making polite and upfront requests increases the chances for a response. Editors often reply with reassurances about the submission's status and an estimated timeframe for updates. If there's no response within the specified period, a follow-up is appropriate.

True. One need to respond rather than react. Usually it could be a great unpalatable feedback. If reasons are stated it is worth considering. Reviewing is voluntary but should be done ethically.

After submitting your cover letter and responses to editors and reviewers, follow up politely and professionally. Wait for the typical review period to pass before reaching out. Send a concise email expressing appreciation for their time and consideration, reiterating your interest in the opportunity. Ask if they need any additional information or clarification regarding your submission. Maintain a positive and respectful tone, showing your eagerness to collaborate and your commitment to the process. This approach demonstrates professionalism and keeps the lines of communication open for future opportunities.

It is good to follow-up but do so reasonably. Unnecessary follow-up may even lead to rejection. Journals will always have timeline written somewhere on their site, so ensure you are patient enough rather than bothering the Editor all in the name of follow-up. If an outlet says that you have to wait for one month before you hear from the Editor, then you have to wait. However, if the time scale has elapsed, a gentle mail may suffice.

Follow-up only when needed. That is, when: 1) more time than expected has passed 2) you have received a comment and would like to know more about it.

Do not send unnecessary frequent emails unless the expected timeline has been passed. Frequent follow-ups waste editors' precious resources and time which they can utilize in handling other articles. Always read their guidelines first whether you need to followup or not and if yes, then when.

In fact, there is no need to follow up unless the journal takes an unreasonably long time to respond. Being too pushy can work against you rather than in your favor.

As a junior researcher, my first step is to verify the timeline set by the journal. If I find that the journal is not adhering to the timeline, I will promptly reach out to the editorial office, rather than directly contacting the editors.

Here's my six Rs mnemonic for following up with editors: - ‘Remind’ yourself to ‘Review’ the timeline. - ‘Reach’ out courteously. - ‘Respect’ their workload. - ‘Refer’ to key points in your submission. - ‘Respond’ promptly to any queries or requests. =Remind>Review>Reach>Respect>Refer>Respond.

After submitting your cover letter and responses, follow up with editors and reviewers by sending a polite and concise email. Thank them for their time and consideration of your submission. Express your appreciation for the opportunity to submit and your eagerness to receive their feedback. Offer your availability to provide any additional information or clarifications that may assist in their review process. Ensure your tone is respectful and understanding of their busy schedules, emphasizing your commitment to making the review process as smooth as possible.

Personally, I try to use the many social optics tools available to find as much personal information about them (editors) as possible. Then I book a trip for at least a week in their town, with the express purpose of running into them casually (and totally accidentally) to chat about the paper. You wouldn't believe the surprise when an editor is about to enter the gym and I Jump out of my rental car, "Hello here I am, Scott et al., from submission JRx-65-2024!" While it hasn't always worked as expected, it does cause some interesting feedback in peer review, given that I am now personally acquainted with various editorial staff. Who needs blind review when you can blindside your reviewers with a friendly handshake?

When following up with editors or reviewers, maintain a polite, concise, and professional tone. Use a clear subject line that includes the journal name, manuscript number, and the email's purpose. Address the recipient by name or role, such as "Dear Editor." Briefly introduce yourself and your paper, stating the reason for your follow-up without repeating your cover letter. Avoid demands or complaints; instead, express gratitude for their work and attention. Politely request an update, including your contact details, and sign off with a formal closing like "Sincerely" or "Best regards" to maintain a respectful tone.

The communication with authors varies a lot depending on the size of the journal. Other things equal, choose community run journals where there is a living soul behind the communication, preferably a person from within the academic field. One very important skill is to see timely if the communication with a journal goes terribly wrong and to take the painful but necessary decision to withdraw your manuscript from the flawed process. If the editor cannot find a reviewer for your paper in a month, that's a grave sign, and your paper will have a better fate in a better functioning journal. From recent experience: we lost a full year waiting endlessly from a top journal in our field, which is struggling through editorial board shift now.

After submitting your cover letter and responses, follow up with editors by crafting a respectful and concise email. Begin by thanking them for the opportunity to submit your work and for their valuable time. Politely inquire about the status of your submission, emphasizing your continued interest and willingness to provide further information if needed. Mention your understanding of the review process's demands and express appreciation for their efforts. This approach fosters a positive relationship with the editor, demonstrating professionalism and respect for their role.

I don't agree with it, unnecessary follow-up emails impact negatively. Usually, all standard journals utilize an online submission system to handle the editorial workflow (instead of submissions through email). Most of the time reviewers are anonymous to the authors and hence author can never contact the reviewer directly. The submission system journal's use automatically notifies the editors when the author submits the response. Then the editor handles it as per the procedure. Even if it gets delayed the submission system notifies editors about it. The author shall frequently visit the author dashboard and email to check any notifications from the editors and reply accordingly. Initiate followup only if its getting delayed unexpectedly.