Handling Rejections, Deferrals & Resubmissions

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Navigating the journal submission process and handling rejections and deferrals can be challenging for first-time authors who don’t know what to expect. However, it’s important to remember that rejections and resubmissions are a normal part of the academic publishing journey—even experienced published researchers face them!

In order to successfully handle a rejection or prepare for resubmission, you should stay positive, be receptive to feedback, and show a willingness to refine your manuscript accordingly. Here we will cover:

• Why manuscripts get rejected
• How to handle a rejection professionally
• Steps for resubmitting to Cureus or another journal
• How to improve your chances of acceptance next time and avoid rejections

By following these strategies, you’ll gain resilience in handling rejections and become confident in navigating the publishing process!

Understanding Rejections: Why Are Manuscripts Rejected?

Manuscripts are rejected for many reasons, and a rejection doesn’t necessarily mean your work is not worthy of publication. Here are the most common reasons:

Scope & Fit Issues

• The topic does not align with the journal’s aims and scope.
• The research is not sufficiently novel or does not add to existing literature.

Solution: Before submission, ensure that Cureus is the right fit by reading the Aims and Scope and reviewing past publications. If your paper is rejected due to being out of scope, consider handling the rejection by submitting it to a different journal.

Editorial or Technical Issues

• Manuscript does not meet journal formatting requirements (e.g., incorrect structure, missing sections).
• Poor writing quality or unclear explanations that make the research hard to follow.
• Incomplete reference citations or incorrect use of the required citation style.

Solution: If you want to become a published researcher, carefully review Cureus’ formatting, reference, and submission requirements before submitting.

Methodological & Data Concerns

• Insufficient sample size, unclear methodology, or lack of statistical rigor.
• Missing ethics approvals, patient consent, or conflict-of-interest disclosures.

Solution: Address these concerns in a clear, transparent way in your manuscript before resubmitting to another journal, and make sure your resubmission demonstrates effective handling of the rejection.

My Article Has Been Deferred. Now What?

Deferrals are unique to Cureus – think of them as an opportunity to further strengthen your manuscript. Quite plainly, a deferral is a decision by a Cureus editor to defer the acceptance of your manuscript for peer review or publication due to a need for revisions.

One to two deferrals are typically permitted prior to rejection, but each deferral reduces your chances at free publication. Take your time to ensure that your manuscript meets all journal requirements prior to submission – this will go a long way towards avoiding unnecessary deferrals and delays! Contact [email protected] with any questions related to your article deferral.

How to Handle a Rejection or Deferral Professionally

Receiving a rejection or deferral does not mean the end of your research publication journey. Here are steps for handling it:

Step 1: Take a Moment to Process the Decision

Rejections can feel discouraging, but they happen to every author. Instead of taking it personally:

• Take a break before reading the decision email.
• Remember that even top published researchers face rejections—persistence is key!

Step 2: Read the Feedback Carefully

The editor’s comments can help improve your manuscript.

• Identify whether the rejection was due to formatting issues, content concerns, or journal scope mismatch.
• If feedback was provided, categorize it into major and minor revisions.

Step 3: Decide on Your Next Steps

Based on the type of rejection, you have three main options for handling it:

1. Revise & resubmit to Cureus (if permitted) – If the journal invites resubmission, make the required revisions and resubmit. (You’ll always be able to resubmit after a deferral.)
2. Submit to a different journal – If the research is rejected due to a scope mismatch, look for a journal that is a better fit.
3. Rework & strengthen the manuscript – If major methodological or writing issues were identified, address them before resubmitting elsewhere.

Tip: If unsure whether you can resubmit to Cureus, email us at [email protected] for clarification.

Preparing for Resubmission: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you decide to resubmit to Cureus (or another journal), follow these steps to maximize your chances of acceptance and avoid rejection.

Step 1: Address All Editorial Comments

• Draft point-by-point responses addressing all feedback.
• If you disagree with a comment, provide a professional and evidence-based explanation.
• Ensure clarity in writing, like published researchers do—avoid vague responses like "fixed the issue"; instead, describe how.

Example Response:

Editor Comment: "The discussion section lacks sufficient comparison with previous studies."

Your Response: "Thank you for the valuable suggestion. We have now expanded the discussion (Page 10, Paragraph 3) to compare our findings with Smith et al. (2020) and Johnson et al. (2021)."

Step 2: Ensure Your Manuscript Meets Cureus Submission Standards

• Double-check formatting – Make sure you adhere to the article structure, reference style, and ethical requirements listed in the Cureus author guide.
• Improve clarity – Revise sections for clear, concise writing.
• Confirm all required information is included – Ethics approvals, data availability statements, and conflict of interest disclosures, etc.

Tip: If resubmitting to a different journal, adjust the formatting and references to meet their specific requirements.

Step 3: Write a Thoughtful, but Brief Response

• Thank the editors for their feedback.
• Clearly state how you have addressed their concerns.

Example Response:

"We sincerely appreciate the feedback provided by the editor and have made the necessary revisions to enhance the clarity and rigor of our manuscript. Below, we provide a detailed point-by-point response. Given these improvements, we hope the manuscript now meets the standards of Cureus."

Key Strategies for Avoiding Rejections and Deferrals in the Future

Successful published researchers leverage specific strategies for handling rejections and reducing deferral rates. Here are some of the strategies you can use to improve your chances of publication.

• Choose the right journal – Ensure your manuscript aligns with the scope and mission of Cureus.
• Follow submission guidelines carefully – Formatting issues are one of the top reasons for rejection so don’t let this be your downfall!
• Double-check grammar, syntax, tone and spelling – Consider using editing tools or professional services if needed.
• Get feedback prior to submission – Ask colleagues or mentors to review your manuscript before submission.
• Address ethical & compliance issues – Don’t overlook conflict-of-interest disclosures, ethical approvals, or data transparency.

Tip: Publishing is a learning process—each rejection teaches you new ways of handling it and improving your work!

What if Your Article Is Rejected With No Opportunity to Resubmit?

If your research is desk-rejected without explicit approval to resubmit, don’t be discouraged! Here’s what you can do:

• Reevaluate your research focus – Does your study need further data collection or a stronger hypothesis?
• Consider revising for a different journal – Some research may fit better elsewhere.
• Seek mentorship – Experienced researchers can offer valuable insights on improving manuscripts.
• Explore preprint options – If applicable, consider preprint platforms to share your research.

Remember: Even Nobel Prize winners have faced rejections! Stay resilient, refine your work, and try again.

Final Thoughts: Rejections and Deferrals Are a Step Toward Success!

Every successful, published researcher has faced multiple rejections before achieving publication. The key is to stay persistent, use feedback constructively, and continuously improve your writing and research clarity.

By handling rejections professionally and resubmitting strategically, you can increase your chances of publication and grow into a stronger medical researcher.

• Approach feedback as a learning opportunity
• Revise and refine your manuscript carefully
• Stay patient and committed to your research journey

Publishing is not about how many times your research manuscript is deferred or rejected; it’s about how you respond to rejection and improve your research each time.