Handling A Journal’s Stinging Rejection

All authors will get some form of rejection from a journal at one time during in their careers. Do you amend the paper, based on the feedback, and resubmit, or do you go back to the drawing board?

Learn how to:

Digest editor feedback

Construct a workflow

Identify shortcomings

Address criticism

Construct a concise rebuttal

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Frequently Asked Questions about the Insider’s Insight: Handling Rejection

To help you get the most out of our resource library, we have compiled answers to the most common questions regarding the development, application, and distribution of our specialist guides.

At Niche Science & Technology, we believe that sharing expertise is the first step toward industry-wide excellence.

Is it normal for my manuscript to be rejected?

Yes. You may not realise, but most manuscripts are rejected, especially by prestigious journals, and very few are accepted without revisions. Rejection is a normal part of the publishing process.

What should I do immediately after receiving reviewer comments or a rejection?

Read the editor’s letter several times over a few days, let your sub-conscious work it’s magic and then discuss the comments with your co-authors. Reviewer feedback is intended to help improve the manuscript, and publication should be seen as an iterative process.

How do I respond effectively to reviewers?

Be polite, thorough, and evidence-based. Thank each reviewer and address every point individually. Use a clear format for revisions that shows the initial reviewer comment, the change you have made and the final content. Write a strong cover letter to the editor explaining how you improved the manuscript.

When should I consider submitting my manuscript to a different journal?

If the rejection is editorial—for example, if the manuscript isn’t a good fit or isn’t considered novel enough—you may submit to an alternative journal. You should still revise the manuscript based on reviewer feedback and adjust it to match the new journal’s style.

What common mistakes should I avoid when resubmitting?

Several issues are easily avoidable: ensure you follow the journal’s style guidelines, write a strong cover letter, supply both clean and tracked-change versions when addressing reviewer comments, check for and eliminate small errors, and make sure you show the value of your work.

Handling A Journal’s Stinging Rejection

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Frequently Asked Questions about the Insider’s Insight: Handling Rejection