Does the journal allow the withdrawal of submitted manuscripts?

Most academic journals do permit manuscript withdrawal under specific circumstances, although policies vary significantly. Submission typically implies an author's commitment, so withdrawal requests require valid justification and are not universally guaranteed or automatic. Withdrawal is generally feasible only during the pre-publication stages, such as before peer review completion or formal acceptance. Key requirements include submitting a formal, written request to the handling editor stating compelling reasons for withdrawal, such as discovering critical errors or resolving potential conflicts. Authors must ensure withdrawal requests occur before the manuscript enters production. Some journals may impose formal procedures or require author agreement forms, and frequent withdrawals could raise concerns about author conduct. Handling withdrawal ethically preserves author reputation and respects editorial resources. Timely, justified withdrawals minimize disruption to the peer review workflow, preventing wasted reviewer effort. Adhering strictly to the specific journal's stated withdrawal policy is crucial to avoid negative consequences like future submission restrictions. Properly executed withdrawal aligns with publishing ethics standards.