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Withdrawing a Submitted Manuscript: Understanding the Motives, Impact, and Procedure for pulling back a published paper submission

Academic Manuscript Withdrawal: When Necessary but Discouraged - This article discusses situations where manuscript withdrawal might be the best option in academic publishing. It delves into the reasons for withdrawal, the potential repercussions, and provides a sample letter for withdrawing a...

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Academic Publication Withdrawals: When Necessary, But Not Preferred – This piece elucidates...
Academic Publication Withdrawals: When Necessary, But Not Preferred – This piece elucidates scenarios justifying manuscript withdrawal, explores the repercussions, provides a guide for submission withdrawal, and offers a model letter to facilitate the process.

Guide to Withdrawing Your Manuscript: Common Reasons and Tactics

Withdrawing a Submitted Manuscript: Understanding the Motives, Impact, and Procedure for pulling back a published paper submission

Are you finding yourself in a situation where you might need to part ways with the journal you've submitted your research to? Here's a snappy guide on the why's, how's, and the nitty-gritty of withdrawing your manuscript in the most tactful manner.

Worthwhile Reasons to Withdraw Your Submission

  1. Oopsies: Uncovering flaws or mistakes in your study that necessitate corrections before sharing your findings.
  2. Speedy Delays: If a journal drags on a review, it could be smart to take your work elsewhere to avoid unnecessary delays.
  3. Sneaky Predators: If you suspect the journal you chose is predatory, it's best to withdraw your submission and submit to one of higher repute.
  4. Double Dippins'**: Avoid unintentional multiple submissions by pulling your manuscript from one journal once and alerting both.
  5. Better Opportunities: While it's frowned upon, you might want to remove your submission if you think you have a better chance at a higher-impact or niche-focused spot.

Read more about avoiding predatory journals 🔗

Requesting a Withdrawal: Easy Steps

  1. Check Journal Policy: Make sure to familiarize yourself with your chosen journal's withdrawal policy and potential costs.
  2. Write a Clear Request: Draft a professional letter to the editor outlining your reasons for withdrawal and include your manuscript title and reference number.
  3. Keep Records: Save all correspondence and receipts for future reference.

Sample Letter

"Subject: Withdrawal Request for [Manuscript Title]"

Dear [Editor's Name],

I, the [first/corresponding] author of the manuscript titled "[MANUSCRIPT TITLE]" (Reference Number: [REFERENCE NUMBER]), submitted to [JOURNAL NAME], am writing to formally request that you withdraw my manuscript from the submission process. The reason for this request is [provide a valid reason, e.g., unforeseen circumstances, ethical concerns, or submission to another journal].

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]"

Final Thoughts

Before ditching your submission, it's wise to be confident in your reasons and follow the journal's set guidelines. Repeated or unjustified withdrawals can potentially lead to negative consequences for future submissions, while withdrawing a manuscript early can help maintain professional and ethical relationships with journals.

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  1. To enhance the quality of a research paper before submission, one may seek language editing, academic translation, or writing support services.
  2. In the field of science, including medical-conditions, health-and-wellness, and therapies-and-treatments, a well-written and accurate research paper is crucial for disseminating valuable insights to academia.
  3. Aside from academic writing, a journal submission may also require submission readiness checks to ensure all necessary components are included and correctly formatted.
  4. Once the research paper is ready for submission, it's essential to choose a reputable and non-predatory journal to increase its chances of getting published.
  5. To stay ahead in academic writing, one might also consider publishing in niche-focused journals that provide a higher impact for certain areas of study.

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