Track journal submissions systematically with our free journal submission tracker. No registration, no fees - just comprehensive tools for managing manuscripts through the publication process.
Why Track Journal Submissions?
Academic publishing involves long timelines, multiple manuscripts, and complex review processes. Without systematic tracking, deadlines get missed, submission details forgotten, and opportunities lost. Professional submission tracking ensures nothing falls through cracks while providing data on publication productivity and success rates.
Benefits of Systematic Tracking
- Deadline management - Never miss revision or resubmission deadlines
- Status monitoring - Know exactly where each manuscript stands
- Productivity metrics - Track publication rates and review times
- Strategic planning - Identify productive journals and successful submission strategies
- CV preparation - Maintain accurate submission and publication records
- Progress documentation - Demonstrate productivity for annual reviews or tenure
Manuscript Information
Basic Details
Track essential manuscript information:
- Title - Full manuscript title (may evolve across submissions)
- Authors - All contributing authors and order
- Manuscript type - Original research, review, brief report, etc.
- Word count - Length for matching to journal requirements
- Keywords - For searching your own manuscripts later
- Abstract - Quick reference to remember content
Version Control
Maintain records of manuscript evolution:
- Version numbers - v1, v2, v3 as manuscript is revised
- Submission dates - When each version was submitted
- Major changes - What evolved between versions
- File locations - Where different versions are stored
Journal Selection and Submission
Journal Information
Document journal details:
- Journal name - Full official title
- Impact factor - IF or other quality metrics
- Acceptance rate - If available
- Typical review time - Based on journal statistics or experience
- Submission fees - Article processing charges (APCs)
- Open access options - Hybrid, fully OA, or subscription
Submission Date and Status
Track submission milestones:
- Initial submission date - When manuscript was submitted
- Manuscript ID - Journal's tracking number
- Editor assigned date - When handling editor was assigned
- Sent for review date - When peer review began
- Current status - Under review, revision requested, accepted, rejected
Decision Timeline
Record key dates:
- Decision received date - When you got initial decision
- Days to decision - Calculated automatically
- Decision type - Reject, major revision, minor revision, accept
- Revision deadline - If revisions requested
- Resubmission date - When revisions were submitted
Managing Multiple Submissions
Sequential Submissions
Track manuscripts submitted to multiple journals sequentially after rejections:
Manuscript A Timeline:
- Journal 1: Submitted 01/15/24 → Rejected 03/20/24 (65 days)
- Journal 2: Submitted 04/10/24 → Major revision 06/15/24 (66 days)
- Journal 2: Resubmitted 07/20/24 → Minor revision 08/30/24 (41 days)
- Journal 2: Resubmitted 09/10/24 → Accepted 09/25/24 (15 days)
- Total time to acceptance: 253 days
This tracking reveals total publication timeline and informs future submission strategies.
Multiple Manuscripts
When managing multiple manuscripts simultaneously:
- Color-code by status (under review, revision needed, accepted)
- Sort by deadline proximity
- Flag manuscripts requiring action
- Track which manuscripts are closest to acceptance
Journal Performance
Analyze which journals work well for you:
- Average time to decision
- Acceptance vs. rejection rates
- Quality of peer review
- Editor responsiveness
This data guides future journal selection.
Peer Review Tracking
Reviewer Comments
Document review feedback:
- Number of reviewers - How many reviewed
- Reviewer recommendations - Accept, minor/major revision, reject
- Comment themes - What issues were raised
- Actionability - Were comments helpful and constructive?
Review Quality
Rate peer review quality:
- Thoroughness - Detailed vs. superficial
- Constructiveness - Helpful vs. dismissive
- Expertise - Knowledgeable vs. missing key context
- Fairness - Balanced vs. unreasonably critical
Quality ratings help you remember which journals provide valuable peer review worth resubmitting to after rejection.
Revision Rounds
Track multiple revision cycles:
- Round 1: Major revision requested 06/15 → Resubmitted 07/20
- Round 2: Minor revision requested 08/30 → Resubmitted 09/10
- Round 3: Accepted 09/25
Multiple rounds are common - tracking prevents confusion about which revision you're on.
Acceptance and Publication
Acceptance Details
Record acceptance information:
- Acceptance date - When editor sent acceptance letter
- Accepted as - Original submission, with minor changes, etc.
- Conditions - Any remaining requirements before publication
- Copyright transfer - When forms completed
- Open access decision - Whether you paid for OA
Production Timeline
Track post-acceptance milestones:
- Proofs received - When you got galley proofs
- Proofs returned - When corrections were submitted
- Early online publication - When article appeared online
- Print publication - When included in journal issue
- Final citation - Volume, issue, pages for CV
Rejection Management
Rejection Analysis
When rejected, document:
- Rejection type - Desk reject, post-review reject
- Rejection reasons - Why manuscript was declined
- Resubmission invitation - Whether journal invited resubmission after major revision
- Appealing decision - If you appealed rejection
Next Steps
Plan response to rejection:
- Target next journal - Where to submit next
- Needed revisions - Changes required before resubmission
- Timeline - When you'll resubmit elsewhere
Systematic rejection tracking prevents repeated submissions to journals that have previously rejected your work (unless significantly revised).
Productivity Metrics
Submission Statistics
Calculate submission metrics:
- Manuscripts in progress - Actively being written
- Manuscripts under review - Currently with journals
- Manuscripts in revision - Awaiting your revisions
- Accepted manuscripts - Awaiting publication
- Published manuscripts - Fully complete
Success Rates
Track outcomes over time:
- Overall acceptance rate - Accepted / Total submissions
- First-decision acceptance - Accepted without revision
- Post-revision acceptance - Accepted after revisions
- Ultimate acceptance - Including rejections resubmitted elsewhere
Time Metrics
Analyze timelines:
- Average time to decision - Across journals
- Average revision time - How long you take revising
- Submission to publication - Total timeline
- Most efficient journals - Fastest review processes
Strategic Insights
Journal Selection Refinement
Tracking data reveals successful strategies:
- Which journals accept your work most often?
- Which journals provide fastest decisions?
- Which journals give constructive feedback even when rejecting?
- Which journals match your research area best?
Timing Optimization
Identify patterns:
- Do summer submissions take longer? (Reviewer vacations)
- Do certain months have faster reviews?
- How long should you wait before following up?
Productivity Planning
Use data for goal setting:
- Historical submission rates inform realistic targets
- Success rates guide how many submissions to maintain active
- Review times inform when to start next manuscript
Export and Reporting
CV Generation
Export submission and publication records formatted for CVs:
- Published articles with full citations
- Articles under review (with journal names)
- Articles in preparation
- Submission dates and acceptance dates
Annual Reports
Generate summary reports for:
- Faculty annual evaluations
- Tenure or promotion dossiers
- Grant progress reports
- Department productivity tracking
Data Analysis
Export data for analysis in Excel or statistical software examining patterns in your publishing productivity and success.
Transform Your Publication Management
Stop losing track of submissions, missing deadlines, and forgetting publication details. Track manuscripts systematically from initial submission through final publication.
Visit https://www.subthesis.com/tools/journal-submission-tracker - Start tracking your submissions today, no registration required!