Manuscript Processing
LingTera processes submissions through the stages described below. The route and duration vary between manuscripts, and progression through a stage does not guarantee acceptance.
1. Submission through OJS
Authors submit their manuscript, author information, and required declarations through the journal’s online submission system. Authors should check the Focus and Scope, Author Guidelines, and current template before submitting. A submission acknowledgement confirms receipt; it is not an acceptance notification.
2. Initial editorial assessment
The editorial team checks the submission’s completeness, relevance to the journal’s scope, scholarly contribution, methodological quality, and compliance with the journal’s requirements. Research-integrity concerns are considered where applicable. The editors may request corrections or decline a manuscript without external review if it does not meet the journal’s requirements.
3. Reviewer selection and invitation
For manuscripts proceeding to external review, the editors invite reviewers with relevant expertise. Reviewer availability, competing interests, and responses to invitations can affect how quickly this stage is completed. Further invitations may be needed before the review can begin.
4. External peer review
Reviewers assess the manuscript’s contribution, methods, analysis, interpretation, and presentation. They provide comments and recommendations to support the editorial assessment. Reviewers advise the editors; a favourable reviewer recommendation does not itself constitute acceptance.
5. Author revisions
When revisions are requested, authors should address the comments carefully and provide a point-by-point response explaining the changes made. Where a suggestion is not followed, authors should explain their reasoning. Revised manuscripts may undergo further editorial assessment or another round of external review. More than one round of revision may be required.
6. Editorial decision and acceptance notification
The editors consider the manuscript, reviewers’ recommendations, and authors’ revisions before making a decision. They may request further revisions, reject the manuscript, or accept it for publication.
LingTera’s formal acceptance notification serves as the Letter of Acceptance (LoA); the journal does not issue a separate letter. It is sent only after the editors have formally accepted the manuscript. It cannot be issued in advance or guaranteed by a requested date. Acceptance does not guarantee publication in a particular issue.
8. Copyediting and proof checking
Accepted manuscripts undergo copyediting, layout preparation, and checks of publication information. Authors may be asked to clarify wording, verify details, and check the article proofs. Authors should respond promptly and review the proofs carefully. Substantive changes at this stage require editorial approval.
9. Issue scheduling and publication
After editorial preparation is completed, the article is scheduled for an issue and published. LingTera publishes in May and November. Issue assignment is determined by the editorial team, taking account of manuscript readiness, available space, and any applicable special-issue arrangements. Submitting before a publication month does not reserve a place in that issue.
Estimated processing time
External peer review may take approximately 2–3 months. For manuscripts that are ultimately accepted, the process from submission to an acceptance decision may take approximately 4–6 months. These are planning estimates, not fixed timelines or guarantees.
Processing may be shorter or longer depending on manuscript readiness, reviewer availability, the extent and number of revisions, authors’ response times, and the need for further review. Copyediting, proof checking, and publication scheduling may require additional time after acceptance.
No fast-track processing
LingTera does not offer fast-track review, expedited acceptance, or paid priority processing. Authors should consider their institutional deadlines before submitting, as acceptance, an LoA, and publication cannot be guaranteed by a requested date.
