{"id":44771,"date":"2026-01-30T12:57:39","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T07:27:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/insights\/?p=44771"},"modified":"2026-05-04T11:24:52","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T05:54:52","slug":"handling-desk-rejections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/insights\/handling-desk-rejections","title":{"rendered":"Handling Desk Rejections: What are the Next Steps?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jump to Contents<\/strong><\/p>\n

Understanding the Types of Rejections<\/a><\/p>\n

How to Handle Rejections<\/a><\/p>\n

Final Thoughts:\u00a0Tips for Authors\u00a0and Next Steps<\/a><\/p>\n

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\u201cDear author, thank you for your interest in\u00a0submitting\u00a0to\u00a0our journal. However, we\u00a0are sorry to inform that\u2026<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

No researcher wants to read a letter that begins this way! Receiving a\u00a0rejection\u00a0after\u00a0spending months working on\u00a0a\u00a0research paper submission can be\u00a0frustrating\u00a0for\u00a0authors.\u00a0However, the exponential increase in\u00a0the publishing of academic papers has simultaneously increased\u00a0the rate of desk rejection in scientific publishing.<\/p>\n

We have previously discussed the most\u00a0common reasons for desk rejection\u00a0and\u00a0how to avoid it<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0also provided you\u00a0with\u00a0editors\u2019 perspectives on desk rejection<\/a>. In this blog,\u00a0we will guide you on handling desk rejections\u00a0and the next steps.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Understanding the Types of Rejections<\/h2>\n

First, let us\u00a0understand\u00a0the types of rejections.<\/p>\n

Desk rejection<\/h3>\n

When you\u00a0submit\u00a0your manuscript to a journal, it is screened by the editor before being sent for\u00a0a\u00a0review. If the paper gets rejected at this stage, it is termed as a \u201cdesk reject.\u201d\u00a0The\u00a0most common reasons for desk rejection are a mismatch\u00a0between the research and the journal\u2019s subject scope,\u00a0inadequate contribution to existing literature,\u00a0and\u00a0manuscript formatting<\/a>\u00a0issues1<\/sup>.\u00a0Know that a desk reject\u00a0indicates\u00a0that your manuscript has not undergone peer review, and the letter from the journal editor will clearly highlight the reason for not accepting the submission.<\/p>\n

Rejection after review<\/h3>\n

At times, your paper may\u00a0be passed on to the review stage, meaning that you\u00a0dodged\u00a0a desk rejection!\u00a0Once multiple reviewers assess the paper, the journal editor\u00a0considers their recommendations and decides on its acceptance or\u00a0rejection.\u00a0If it is\u00a0rejected, you will receive a\u00a0decision\u00a0letter from the editor summarizing the reasons for rejection\u00a0along with the reviewers\u2019 comments.\u00a0Typically, the reason for rejection at this stage is\u00a0a flaw in the research\u00a0methodology\u00a0or the quality of research not being up to the journal\u2019s expected standards.\u00a0Regardless, a decision letter provides\u00a0you with constructive feedback and offers helpful advice on how the paper can be improved.<\/p>\n

<\/a>How to Handle Rejections<\/h2>\n

Despite you\u00a0taking measures to\u00a0avoid\u00a0a desk\u00a0rejection, there could be something you have overlooked which has resulted in a negative\u00a0decision\u00a0from the journal.\u00a0Or the journal editor may have misinterpreted your submission.\u00a0Nevertheless, you are now reading a\u00a0rejection letter.\u00a0What next?<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0Be disappointed<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s\u00a0okay\u00a0to\u00a0hurt! Truly, it is.\u00a0You are only\u00a0human, and\u00a0let that emotion of disappointment\u00a0run its course. Do you feel like crying? Shed those tears shamelessly.\u00a0Want to\u00a0rant? Find a supportive friend or a family member ready to listen to\u00a0you\u00a0lament.\u00a0Feel\u00a0like taking a walk? Step out and breathe some fresh air to help clear your head.<\/p>\n

Each of us\u00a0have\u00a0our own way of dealing with\u00a0rejection. Do what suits you best!<\/p>\n

2. Move on<\/h3>\n

While it is\u00a0alright\u00a0to \u201cbe\u201d disappointed, do not \u201cstay\u201d disappointed!\u00a0Accept\u00a0that the journal has given its decision and move forward from it.\u00a0Do not see it as a sign of failure.\u00a0It is only a part of your submission journey, which\u00a0can continue despite this small setback.<\/p>\n

3. Do not react in haste<\/h3>\n

It is natural to want to express anger when someone points fingers at your precious research!\u00a0But that does not give you the right to lash out at the journal editor. Know that it is the editor\u2019s job to be objective\u00a0when choosing the research papers most suited for publication in their journal. Just because they\u00a0thought yours would be a misfit, do not paint them as the villain\u00a0and\u00a0write\u00a0an angry email.\u00a0Choose to \u201crespond\u201d rather than \u201creact.\u201d<\/p>\n

4. Let the feedback settle<\/h3>\n

Treat the decision letter as\u00a0the foundation for your next steps. The reasons for rejection are often clearly outlined\u00a0by the journal editor.<\/p>\n