Research in Contemporary World Literature (RCWL) follows a rigorous double-blind peer review process to ensure the highest standards of scholarly integrity, originality, and relevance. All submitted manuscripts are evaluated in a multi-step procedure as outlined below:
Submission and Acknowledgment
Upon receipt via the online submission portal, each manuscript is assigned a unique tracking ID and acknowledged.
Technical and Formatting Check
The editorial team conducts an initial assessment to verify that the manuscript adheres to the formatting and structural requirements outlined in the Guide for Authors. Submissions that do not meet these basic criteria may be returned without review.
Preliminary Editorial Evaluation
The manuscript is reviewed by the editorial board to assess its scholarly quality, originality, thematic relevance, and alignment with the journal’s scope. Only manuscripts that meet these standards proceed to the peer review stage.
Assignment to Associate Editor
An associate editor with expertise in the manuscript’s subfield is assigned to oversee the review process. The associate editor selects two qualified anonymous reviewers from the journal’s international pool of experts.
Double-Blind Peer Review
The reviewers independently evaluate the manuscript and submit detailed reports, including recommendations regarding publication. The peer review process is strictly double-blind—neither authors nor reviewers are aware of each other’s identities.
Editorial Decision
Based on the reviewers’ comments and recommendations, the editorial board issues a formal decision within approximately three months. Authors receive a decision letter indicating one of the following outcomes:
Accept – the manuscript is accepted for publication without further revision.
Minor or Major Revision – authors are invited to revise and resubmit in response to reviewers' feedback.
Reject – the manuscript is not suitable for publication in RCWL.
Transfer Recommendation – the manuscript may be more appropriate for a different journal and is returned with a recommendation.
RCWL upholds the principles of transparency, academic fairness, and timely communication throughout the editorial and peer review process.
