Few things generate more anxiety for authors than watching a manuscript tracking system for weeks without a status change. Understanding what each status label actually represents — and doesn’t — helps set realistic expectations and reduces the temptation to over-interpret a static screen.
“Submitted” or “With Editor”
This early status typically means the manuscript has been received and is awaiting an editor’s initial screening decision — whether to proceed to review or desk-reject. It usually resolves within days to a couple of weeks and doesn’t yet reflect any judgment on quality.
“Under Review” or “With Reviewers”
This is often the longest and most static-feeling stage, and it simply means the manuscript has been sent to one or more external reviewers who are evaluating it. A long stretch in this status is not itself a bad sign — it usually reflects reviewer availability and workload more than anything about the paper’s quality.
“Reviews Complete” or “Awaiting Editor Decision”
Once reviewer reports come in, the manuscript typically sits briefly in this status while the handling editor reads the reports and formulates a decision. This stage is often shorter than the review period itself, though it can still take a few weeks depending on editor workload.
“Decision in Process”
Some systems show this status once an editor has begun actively drafting a decision letter, indicating the process is nearing its next milestone.
“Revise and Resubmit” (Minor or Major Revisions)
This status indicates the editor has invited a revised version of the manuscript, typically accompanied by detailed reviewer reports. It’s frequently a positive sign, not a rejection — many published papers pass through one or more revision rounds.
What a Long “Under Review” Period Doesn’t Necessarily Mean
- It does not automatically indicate the paper is being taken particularly seriously
- It does not automatically indicate trouble finding reviewers, though that’s one possible cause
- It does not typically mean you should submit elsewhere without first checking in — most journals discourage or prohibit simultaneous submission
When (and How) to Politely Follow Up
If a manuscript has been under review well beyond the journal’s stated typical timeline, a brief, polite inquiry to the editorial office is generally appropriate — asking for a status update rather than expressing frustration. Most editorial offices are used to these inquiries and will provide what information they can.
Managing the Waiting Period Productively
Rather than repeatedly checking a status page, many experienced authors use the review period to advance other projects, present related work at conferences, or begin outlining a revision strategy for likely reviewer concerns based on the paper’s known weaknesses.
For general context on how manuscript tracking systems and editorial workflows typically operate, Editorial Manager’s author resources (a widely used manuscript submission platform across academic publishing) offer useful background on common status terminology.
Have a manuscript ready to enter this process? Review the journal’s scope and submit through the paper submission page.