Q: Does a status change from "awaiting reviewer selection" to "awaiting editor decision" imply rejection?

The status “Awaiting reviewer selection” seems to indicate that the manuscript cleared the initial editorial screening. It is slightly strange that the status changed to “awaiting Ed decision” in a week’s time. One possibility is that this journal shows the status “Awaiting reviewer selection” during the time that the editorial screening is going on.

Another possibility is that the editor initially decided to send the manuscript for peer review, but then changed his/her mind and wanted to revisit the manuscript before taking a decision. It is hard to say whether your paper will receive a desk rejection, but there is still some uncertainty about whether it will be sent for peer review.

A third possibility is that the editor could not find suitable peer reviewers for your paper, and is, therefore, evaluating the manuscript to decide the next step. If this is the case, then the editor might refer the manuscript to another editor/editorial board of the journal for a final decision regarding the submission. The next status change will hopefully make things clearer.

Related reading:

• Tracking your manuscript status in journal submission systems
• Tracking your manuscript in the online submission system
• Does a status change from "Awaiting reviewer selection" to "Awaiting ED recommendation" imply desk rejection?