You got the email. You've read it three times. You still don't know what to do. 

 

Whether it's a desk rejection, a post-review rejection, or a revise and resubmit — the decision landed in your inbox and now it's sitting there. You know you need to do something. You're just not sure what, or where to start.

Before you close the email, start here.

This free interactive workbook walks you through four steps. Identify what kind of decision you received and what it can and can't tell you about your paper. Sort reviewer feedback into what's actionable, vague, contradictory, or potentially biased. Check whether your paper has a core argument — the most common structural reason for repeated rejection. Then use the decision tool to land on a concrete next step, not just a general direction.

You'll finish knowing what the feedback is actually telling you. And what to do before you touch the manuscript.

I know this moment. I've been on both sides of this decision.

I'm Jessica Diehl, PhD —academic writing consultant, researcher, and advocate for inclusive science

I've published 25+ journal papers 

I've peer-reviewed 100+ manuscripts for 40+ journals

I still actively publish and review —I know what reviewers want to see (and what makes them "reject")

I've worked with researchers across a dozen countries and nearly every continent

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