Q: What to do if the manuscript status remains unchanged for over 4 months?
I have submitted a manuscript on 7th June, 2016, to a journal that follows Scholar One System. Immediately after submission, the status showed 'editor office awaiting.' Since then, no change in the status. I have sent an email to the editor twice after 4 months, still no response. What could be the possible reason for so much delay. Thank you.
Ideally, within a month after submission, the admin check by the editorial office should be completed and the manuscript should be assigned to a handling editor. Four months is a very long time. You should have started following up with the editor at least two months ago.
It is definitely concerning that the editor is not responding to your emails. One possibility is that your emails are not reaching the editor. Check the journal website and see if you can find any other contact person’s email address. You can write to this person explaining the situation and seeking help. Also, make sure that you add a read receipt to every email that you send to the journal. That way, you will come to know if the editor has read your email.
I think you should send a few more reminders. If there is no response even after a couple of weeks, you can consider withdrawing your manuscript.
To withdraw your paper, you need to write an email to the editor informing him of your decision to withdraw and requesting a confirmation of the withdrawal. Do not submit your manuscript to another journal before you receive a confirmation of withdrawal from the editor, as this can be considered a duplicate or simultaneous submission. Additionally, once you receive the confirmation email, save a copy of it as proof of the completion of the withdrawal procedure.
You might also be interested in the following post:
How to write a withdrawal letter to the journal