Q: What can I do if my paper is transferred to another journal by mistake?

Detailed Question -

My paper was rejected by a journal. I found the note that says: “If you want to transfer your rejected paper to another OA journal, please click this URL.” When I clicked the URL, surprisingly, my paper was promptly transferred to another journal. The status of the new journal shows “Transferred In.” However I want to cancel this transfer, so I sent an email to request the former journal to delete this transfer. I’m afraid if my request would be accepted. As I’m going to submit my paper to other new journal, I am anxious about being considered to be a duplicate submission.

1 Answer to this question
Answer:

Many journals have a direct transfer window through which the manuscript is transferred to another journal with a single click. This can sometimes be confusing for authors who are experiencing it for the first time. Since you have already transferred your paper to the other journal, you cannot submit it elsewhere at the moment as it would be considered duplicate publication. 

Apart from writing to the editor of the former journal, I think you should also write to the editor of the journal where you have transferred your paper. Inform him that the paper was transferred by mistake and that you would like to withdraw it. Request a confirmation of withdrawal from the second journal. Once you receive this confirmation, you can submit the paper to another journal. 

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