Q: What does it mean when you get an email that states your paper will be handled by a Receiving Editor?

Thank you for your question. Once an author submits a manuscript, an Editor is typically assigned to the manuscript who decides whether it is within the journal’s remit and whether to send the manuscript out to review. If the Editor decides that the paper is within the Journal's remit, the manuscript gets assigned to a Receiving Editor. The Receiving Editor selects and assigns peer reviewers. This can take some time depending on the responsiveness and availability of the reviewers selected. Once the peer reviewers have submitted their reports, the Receiving Editor makes a decision based on the comments received. Given that you've received an email within approximately 20 days of submission stating that your paper will be handled by the Receiving Editor, it is likely that the editor is in the process of selecting peer reviewers and assigning your paper to them.

Hope this helps. All the best for your submission!