SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON OUR EDITORIAL SUPPORT
26 June 2025
By Olivia Sandra
From time to time, we receive inquiries along the lines of: “I need to publish in a reputable journal. How long will it take after I submit my manuscript to you?”
It’s a valid question but it also reflects a common misunderstanding about the nature of our work. We do not determine publication outcomes. What we offer is professional language and editorial support, not access to journals or guarantees of acceptance.
In an environment where pressure to publish is immense, it’s understandable that some seek shortcuts or assurance. But our role remains grounded in ethical editorial practice. This post outlines the scope of what we offer and just as importantly, what we don’t.
What We Do
Our services are designed to help researchers present their work clearly, professionally, and in accordance with academic standards. We:
1. Edit and proofread manuscripts to ensure clarity, coherence, and linguistic accuracy
2. Check compliance with journal formatting and author guidelines
3. Support response to peer review, helping authors interpret reviewers’ comments
4. Review revised manuscripts, including responses to editorial teams where requested
5. Help reduce word count and paraphrase where necessary to meet submission criteria
6. Issue professional editing statements
What We Don’t Do
We believe in clear boundaries and responsible editorial practice. Therefore, we do not:
1. Recommend specific journals or guarantee acceptance into any journal
2. Assess the scientific merit or journal suitability of a manuscript
3. Improve content beyond its rhetorical and linguistic presentation
4. Ghostwrite or contribute intellectually to the research
Even when we are familiar with the subject matter, we do not cross the line between editorial support and authorship.
What We Can Guarantee
1. For new manuscripts, we ensure that language will not be a barrier to initial screening. If the content meets a journal’s scope and expectations, the manuscript will not be desk-rejected for language issues alone.
2. For final-stage revisions, we ensure that language is no longer raised as a concern. A final proof may still be requested by the journal, but typically only for minor edits.
We have worked with a wide range of researchers across disciplines, at various stages of the publication process. Most manuscripts that are well-researched and methodologically sound proceed to publication after revision and language support.
Why Boundaries Matter
We often find ourselves in a position where we could contribute more, whether by helping sharpen an argument or reshaping parts of the research narrative. But we choose not to. That decision is not about withholding help but about maintaining integrity. We work on the language. No more, no less.
There is a clear line between supporting clarity and shaping content. As editorial professionals, we are committed to staying on the right side of that line. As Albert Camus once wrote:
“A person without ethics is a wild beast loosed upon this world.”
We aim to be neither wild nor reckless in our practice.
Our work ensures that your manuscript is judged on its content, not penalized for language. We can’t promise publication, but we can promise professionalism, transparency, and care in how your work is prepared for submission.
