My experience with the editorial process was disappointing. After submitting my manuscript, the paper remained with the editor for approximately 18 days without being sent for peer review or showing any meaningful progress in the review process. Communication regarding the manuscript's status was limited, and there was no indication of when the review process would begin. Due to the lack of movement and uncertainty regarding the timeline, I decided to withdraw the manuscript. The withdrawal was processed, and the final disposition was recorded as "Withdrawn."
While 18 days is not an unusually long period in academic publishing, authors generally expect clearer communication and timely handling of submissions. Based on my experience, the initial editorial assessment stage could be more transparent and responsive.
