Q: How long does it take to receive a response for a submission to the Images in Clinical Medicine section of The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM)?

Detailed Question -

I submitted an image to the Images in Clinical Medicine section of NEJM, but the status has remained 'With the editor' for nearly two months. However, the instruction for authors clearly state the following: "If NEJM editors deem an image unsuitable for publication, author(s) will receive notification in approximately one week. If potentially suitable for publication, the image will be sent on for peer review and then brought to a monthly editorial meeting for further consideration." It seems that no reviewers have been assigned. What should I do now? Thank you.

1 Answer to this question
Answer:

Thanks for your detailed query. It’s easier providing a response this way. :-)

So, you may send a polite enquiry to images@nejm.org with a copy to editorial@nejm.org along with specific details (date of uploading and a brief description of the image). From the status ‘With the editor,’ we cannot assume that no reviewer has been assigned. Also, the fact that you have not received any notification leads us to hope that the image has not been deemed unsuitable so far. :-) Two months seems a reasonable time to wait, and you are justified in enquiring. For help with journal communication, you may find this handbook helpful: A practical handbook of templates for communicating with the journal

All the best!

[With inputs from Yateendra Joshi]

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