Manuscript Withdrawal Policy
Authors sometimes need to withdraw a manuscript after submitting it. This policy explains when that is possible, how to ask, and what happens at each stage. It does not cover published articles, which can only be corrected or retracted under the Publication Ethics policy and the COPE Retraction Guidelines.
Principles
The journal follows COPE guidance. A properly made request is normally granted up to formal acceptance. After acceptance, withdrawal is exceptional. Repeated withdrawals, withdrawing to submit to a higher-ranked journal, or withdrawing to avoid a decision under appeal may be treated as a breach of publication ethics.
Who can ask
The corresponding author makes the request on behalf of all authors, with written consent from each of them. The request must include:
- a signed letter, or an email from each co-author, agreeing to the withdrawal;
- the reason for withdrawal;
- the manuscript ID, full title and current stage.
The manuscript stays active until consent has been received from every author.
At each stage
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| Before the editorial check | Withdrawn on request. Recorded as Withdrawn. |
| During the editorial check or peer review | Withdrawn on request. Editors and reviewers have already given their time, so if a revision could fix the problem, the editorial office will discuss options first. |
| After a revision decision, before resubmission | Withdrawn on request. Missing the revision deadline without an agreed extension counts as withdrawal. |
| After acceptance | Only with a written justification to the Editor-in-Chief, who decides case by case. Relevant factors are whether the reason points to an ethics issue (such as duplicate publication, an authorship dispute or a data problem), how far production has gone, and the work already done. |
| After publication | Not a withdrawal. Handled as a correction, expression of concern or retraction. |
The APC is only charged on accepted articles. If an article is withdrawn after acceptance and before publication, the publisher will confirm in writing whether any part of an APC already paid is refunded.
Procedure
Send the request through the Contact page. The editorial office will:
- acknowledge the request within seven working days;
- check that every author has consented;
- confirm the stage and apply the rules above;
- refer requests after acceptance to the Editor-in-Chief;
- confirm the withdrawal in writing, or explain why it cannot be processed as submitted.
A manuscript is not withdrawn until the editorial office confirms it in writing.
After withdrawal
The manuscript is closed in the submission system. Review reports and correspondence are kept on file, and reviewers' identities stay confidential. The authors may submit the work elsewhere, disclosing the earlier submission where required.
Misconduct inquiries
A withdrawal will not be granted to avoid an ongoing or expected misconduct inquiry. The inquiry runs under the Publication Ethics policy and the COPE flowcharts, and its outcome decides what happens to the manuscript.
Records
All withdrawal requests, replies and decisions are kept in the manuscript's editorial file.
