Q: What is the meaning of Awaiting ED Final Processing after Awaiting EIC Decision?
I had submitted an article using the ScholarOne manuscript system. After one round of revision, needed by the reviewers, associate editor (AE), and Editor-in-Chief (EIC), the Awaiting EIC Decision has changed to Awaiting ED Final Processing. What does this status change mean? Should I consider this an 'accept'? Thank you in advance.
Awaiting ED Final Processing means the editorial team is preparing the manuscript for your proofing check. This usually happens after the manuscript is accepted, so yes, it does seem to mean an ‘accept.’ However, as you may well know, journals formally and directly communicate an accept, rather than leaving it indirectly like this. It may be that they sent you a mail, but it went to your spam/junk folder. So, check that folder. In case you don’t find it there, or you deleted it by mistake, or haven’t received the mail, do write to the editor to check whether this is indeed so. If it is indeed an accept, congrats on that!
As mentioned above, if it indeed is an accept, you may wish to prepare yourself for the next and final stage from your side – proofing – by going through these resources:
This content belongs to the Journal submission & peer review Stage