Last updated: 1 May 2026 · 8 min read · Audience: Authors, students, early-career researchers · Reading level: Introductory
Introduction
Publication speed varies enormously across academic publishing, from a few weeks in some structured open-access publishers to more than a year in selective flagship journals. Authors often hear that fast journals are predatory and slow journals are rigorous, but the reality is considerably more nuanced. This comparison examines what actually drives publication timelines.
Side-by-side comparison
| Stage | Fast publication (weeks) | Slow publication (months to a year+) |
|---|---|---|
| Initial editorial check | 1–3 days | 1–4 weeks |
| Reviewer assignment | Immediate or within a week | 2–8 weeks |
| First decision | 2–4 weeks | 3–6 months |
| Revision rounds | 1 round typical | 2–3 rounds common |
| Final acceptance to publication | 1–3 weeks | 2–6 months |
| Total time to publication | 5–10 weeks | 9–18 months |
| Typical context | Structured OA publishers, applied research | Selective flagship and society journals |
What drives a fast publication process
Fast publication is enabled by structured editorial workflows, defined review windows for reviewers, smaller editorial offices that handle decisions promptly, and a culture that favours decisive single-round revision rather than iterative back-and-forth. Many smaller open-access publishers — including platforms such as EP Journals — operate this way intentionally, recognising that researchers often face funding deadlines, conference cycles, and graduation timelines.
- Defined review windows imposed by the publisher.
- Smaller editorial offices with shorter administrative chains.
- A focus on decisive single-round revisions.
- Streamlined production and typesetting.
- Online-first publication without waiting for issue assembly.
What drives a slow publication process
Slow publication usually reflects high selectivity, multiple specialist reviewers, multiple revision rounds, and the editorial culture of long-established flagship titles. Reviewers in selective journals are often asked to reread substantially revised manuscripts, and editorial boards may discuss borderline papers at meetings before committing to a decision.
- High selectivity with rejection rates above 80%.
- Three to four reviewers per manuscript.
- Multiple revision rounds before a final decision.
- Editorial board discussion of borderline cases.
- Print issue assembly and copy-editing cycles.
Key differences
Key points
- Cycle structure. Fast journals favour decisive single-round revisions; slow journals operate iterative multi-round cycles.
- Selectivity. Slower journals tend to be more selective; faster journals emphasise scope fit over selectivity.
- Audience. Fast journals serve time-sensitive applied work; slow journals serve work where prestige and depth matter more than speed.
- Reviewer load. Slow journals invest more reviewer time per manuscript; fast journals invest less but operate at higher throughput.
- Risk of misinterpretation. Speed alone is not a sign of predation, and slowness alone is not a sign of rigour.
When fast publication is the right choice
Fast publication suits PhD students nearing submission, conference papers extended into journal articles, replication or applied studies, work tied to a funding report deadline, and collaborations where co-authors are at different career stages and need a published record promptly. Authors choosing this route should still verify that genuine peer review is taking place.
When slow publication is the right choice
Slow publication suits work intended for selective flagship journals, manuscripts where deep methodological scrutiny improves the final paper, and contexts where promotion and tenure committees weigh specific high-impact venues heavily. Authors who can absorb the timeline benefit from the depth of review.
Closing note
Authors comparing options may wish to look at a range of publishers, including platforms such as EP Journals, while giving primary weight to editorial standards, indexing prospects, and institutional acceptance.
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Editorial enquiries
Questions about this guide or about preparing a manuscript for submission may be directed to the editorial office. Where a query relates to a specific journal in the portfolio, please indicate the journal abbreviation in your message.
Email: editor@ep-journals.org