When to follow up on paper submission
"Is it okay to follow up with the journal about my paper, or could it backfire?" This is something I’m frequently asked by my mentees. After you submit a paper, the silence can be frustrating. The submission system shows "reviews completed" but nothing else happens. From this stage, it often can take weeks before the editor makes the final decision. That waiting often brings doubts: - Will the editor get annoyed if I ask? - Could an email influence the outcome? - Should I sit tight and hope for the best? It’s stressful, and it distracts you from focusing on the next project. Here’s the reality: it’s fine to follow up, provided you give it some time and keep it professional. Here is what I usually do: - Wait at least 4–6 weeks after reviews are marked complete. - Send a short note, nothing more than asking for an update (example below). - Don’t overthink it — editors expect these emails, and a polite nudge won’t hurt your chances. Example: "Dear Editor, I trust you are well. I am following up on the status of the manuscript ID XYZ, as I noted that the required reviews were completed approximately 4 weeks ago (date). I appreciate your support. Best regards, Dawid" Don’t chase too soon, but don’t stay silent forever either. A simple, respectful email often gets things moving.