Review & Revision

What happens to a manuscript after it is submitted, and what is expected of an author at each step.

Peer review process

1. Acknowledgement — within three working days, with a submission number.
2. Technical screening — format, anonymisation, word limit, declarations, similarity check. A file that fails is returned for correction and does not count as a rejection.
3. Desk review — within fourteen working days, the handling editor decides whether the paper goes out to review. Papers outside the scope are declined here, with reasons.
4. Double-anonymous review — at least two independent reviewers for research articles, review articles, textual studies and major case studies. At least one is external to the editorial team. Reviewers have twenty-one days.
5. Third reviewer — invited where two reports diverge sharply.
6. Decision — within seven working days of the reports arriving.

Research notes, book reviews and editorials receive editorial review rather than external peer review. The category of every article is shown on its page, so a reader can see which process it received. The full policy is under Peer Review Policy.

Editorial decisions

• Accept — rare at first decision.
• Minor revision — the argument stands; specific corrections are required. Normally not returned to reviewers.
• Major revision — the argument needs substantial work. Normally returned to the original reviewers.
• Reject and resubmit — the material has value but the paper must be rebuilt. A resubmission is treated as a new submission.
• Reject — with reasons.

The decision letter states whether the changes are minor or substantial and whether the paper returns to reviewers. No article is promised acceptance before review.

Revision and resubmission

• Minor revisions are due within three weeks, major revisions within six weeks, unless the decision letter says otherwise. For the April 2027 issue, revised papers are due 15 March 2027.
• Upload two files: the revised manuscript with changes marked, and a clean copy.
• Include a response letter that answers every reviewer point in turn, says what you changed and where, and gives your reasons where you disagree. A reasoned disagreement is acceptable; an ignored point is not.
• The revised manuscript must still be anonymised.
• A revision that arrives after the deadline without an agreed extension is treated as a new submission.

Acceptance, copyediting and proof

• On acceptance you restore any citations of your own work that were masked, and confirm the final title page.
• Copyediting covers language, references, diacritics and house style. Substantive changes are referred back to you.
• You approve the proof within the copyediting window — 21 to 27 March 2027 for the April 2027 issue. Corrections at proof stage are limited to errors.
• A DOI is assigned and the article is published with the issue.

Timeline for the April 2027 issue

Stage	Date
Full paper submission	15 January 2027
Technical and structural review	16–31 January 2027
Peer review process	February 2027
First editorial decision	By 28 February 2027
Revised paper submission	15 March 2027
Final review and acceptance	20 March 2027
Copyediting and proof approval	21–27 March 2027