We submitted a paper manuscript for a journal some time ago. Since the journal's main targeted readers are physicians, we were not exactly certain how our manuscript with mainly mice model research would be received.
Today we got a rejection notice. As we suspected, the focus and scope was a reason for the rejection.
When you do science as a job, rejection of a manuscript is a part of the game. Sure, I am not happy to hear rejection, but if we take it hard every time, it does no good for anyone.
So over years I have developed my SOPs for coping with manuscript rejection.
(i) Receive and read the notification.
Usually you can immediately tell acceptance or rejection by reading a few lines. "We regret""Unfortunately" are for rejection, "We are happy to inform" is for acceptance.
(ii) Even if you know it by the word "regret" immediately, read the mail through, and catch general reason for rejection.
(iii) Breathe deeply. Allow yourself to be bummed for 5-10 minutes. Swearing is optional, depending on reaction. Getting up and walking around can be helpful.
(iv) Read the mail again.
By this time it should be easier to catch what they are saying more rationally.
(v) Activate contingency plans.
Usually we have an assortment of journals considered for submitting the manuscript. We would try the next-in-the-line journal.
(vi) Talk with the boss or co-authors about the new plan.
(vii) Read the new journal format specification and reformat the manuscript.
If the rejection notice points out a good point, incorporate it whenever possible.
(viii) Send out the manuscript.
(ix) Celebrate the re-submission. Cross fingers. Pray. Do whatever works for you.
(x) Be a cool professional. Don't bring negative emotions home.
The trick is to reduce emotional attachment. For the purpose, systems, rituals and SOPs do help. But it is kind of like trying to achieve Buddhism enlightenment. It's not easy.
At the manuscript submission stage, the part of the project is done, and I am usually working on something else already. As a matter of fact I am working on two other manuscripts and they keep me busy. It is helpful just to focus on the tasks at hand, and not to indulge on emotions.
And, when it is accepted for publication, be happy and celebrate. Yey :)
