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Have you ever wondered if there is a “right time” to submit a paper to your preferred journal? We’re often asked this question, particularly as the July-August summer vacation approaches.

To help answer this, we reached out to our network to compile some pros and cons of drafting and submitting a research paper during the summer months. You can check out what we came up with, below:

Pros

  1. Less Competition With many researchers on vacation, some journals experience a dip in submissions during the summer. This can result in your paper receiving more attention from editors and reviewers.
  2. Faster Review Process With universities closed for the summer break, researchers have fewer teaching responsibilities. Additionally, most academic conferences occur outside the summer months, leaving reviewers with more availability. This can expedite the peer review process, helping you achieve publication more swiftly.
  3. Prepping for Conferences Many conferences and grant funding cycles begin from September, as we embark on the new academic year. Submitting papers in the summer can prepare you for these events. Moreover, presenting recently accepted or published work can be invaluable for networking and professional visibility.
  4. Beat the Backlog Many researchers rush to submit papers before the end of the calendar year. By submitting in the summer, you might avoid the autumn rush and potential submission backlogs at your preferred journal.

Cons

  1. Editor and Reviewer Availability Although academic duties and conference travel might be on hold, many editors and reviewers also take their vacation during the summer. A reduced editorial team could lead to delays in processing and reviewing your paper. However, most reputable journals ensure they have adequate coverage year-round.
  2. General Delays Even if reviewers are available, the overall pace of academic activities can slow down during the summer, potentially delaying feedback and decisions.

While these pros and cons can vary by discipline and journal, most reputable journals have established procedures to minimize the impact of seasonal variations. Ultimately, your submission date will depend on your research and data readiness.

But if you’re looking to stay productive during the summer, we think that the potential pros of submitting during this time can outweigh any cons. If in doubt, many journals will advise on their response times and reviewer availability during the summer.

Inspired to start drafting your next manuscript? Reach out to the Insight Editing London team for support and advice: enquiry@insighteditinglondon.com.

We’re also excited to announce that editing requests submitted in July and August will benefit from our “Summer Savings on Scientific Editing” promotion, offering a 10% discount! Please refer to the terms and conditions on our website; promotions cannot be combined.