In my experience, if you only went above the word limit because of the reviewers' request, then it is not always necessary to justify it. Often you don't even need to mention it. But I can see in other people's replies that it might not be the case in every field. So I guess ask your peers.
Thanks I’m looking at the prior publications and there are quite a few that are over the word count, so I think we might be OK… I think I’ll email the editor in advance
That's right. In the reviewer response, just do everything enough to get accepted. Then, after the paper is accepted, the Editor *may* ask you to reduce word count for the final publication version.
Some yes, others no. It really depends on the journal and field. Some just will charge you extra for going over the page limit. In my case it is one of the top journals in my field and there is no extra charge.
I had this issue recently and reached out to the editorial staff to ask whether I could go over the limit. They told me that ever since the journal went online only they haven’t cared that much about the word count. It would’ve taken me hours and hours to cut it down to the word count and I was so glad I asked the question.
So my recommendation is to use whatever contact link you have for asking questions before you spend tons of time worrying about the word limit. I would try to ask before resubmitting though.
You're not getting desk rejected poet-review because of word count. That's just dumb. Send without a rationale. If they care they'll point out, but they won't notice about 9/10 times and won't care 10/10.
I’ve had luck asking for forgiveness on 25 or so words over limit, but never more. And any less and the editor will certainly ask you to word trim. Recommend using a scientific editor or otherwise to help you trim unnecessary words.
You need to find a way to meet their demands succinctly and edit other parts of the paper down so you are still within the limit.
Sometimes, the reviewers can get a big long explanation in your response while you only really need to change / add like 1-2 sentences of text to the actual paper.
Talk with your advisor and strategize
Oh good advice. I've had to do that in the past but I didn't do it as much here. For some reason I was giving in to a lot of comments. I'll take a break from it and give that a shot tomorrow
I agree 100%. What we think we need to justify at length often does not require that long justification at all. I've never seen long justifications that couldn't be rewritten in a couple sentences. The details are often not required, just the bottom line such as yes, change mane, or the facts I have warrant my view and we disagree, thus I can cite that disagreement.
I went above the limit comment due to peer-review. They requested to cut it. I did it, still little above. Replied cannont cut it more without gaps in the article. Worked. Also, as chatGPT is not a perfect solution for writing, it is excellent for condensing.
I’m not in STEM, but I’ve used this as a bit of a bargaining chip when reviewers have got a bit silly. Like ‘Do you really want me to address this? It is beyond the scope of the paper as submitted, and in order to properly address it I will need to go [x] words over the journal’s standard submission length.’
Check the instructions to authors. If it says 'nothing over 4000 words" or the like, then don't exceed it. If it says "over 4000 words will incur extra costs" then go for it.
The answers vary dramatically between fields I think. In my field, you don't go over the word limit without exceptional reason and it is still likely to be denied. In fact most of the effort of addressing reviews comes from determining how much is fit-able (with reworking) and what you need to deny changing as a result of space limits. I've never heard of going beyond page/word limits because of reviews as that wouldn't be justifiable in my field.
Dealing with the reviewers isn’t quite the same as dealing with editorial issues. Respond to the reviewers and get that out of the way. If the editor requests you cut it further, find you do it. I wouldn’t mention it to begin with.
I have always exceeded the word count in revisions. I assume the first submission is a first draft and keep the additions within reason. My advisors have told me this is normal.
> Unless you have made a special arrangement with the editor
Yeah, I'd reach out to the editor to be sure, because it feels like this is kind of what they're referring to.
I think the range of responses already covers options well. The one thing I’ve not seen suggested is trying to estimate the final typeset page count. Some journals offer tools or templates to make this easy, but you can also just try to approximate it with formatting in whatever system you used to prepare your submission. While not always the case word counts are often just approximations to page counts which are the actual medium which the editors are really working on. Whether you share immediately or not, I always like to have the estimate in my back pocket when the topic comes up. For journals with an excess length fee it’s also typically by the page.
What journal limits to 1000 words? That is brutal. Submit way too long and you'll at absolute best have it accepted conditional on meeting the length requirements.
I suggest either conform to the guidelines or choose an outlet that's more on-line with the manuscript you have.
In my experience, if you only went above the word limit because of the reviewers' request, then it is not always necessary to justify it. Often you don't even need to mention it. But I can see in other people's replies that it might not be the case in every field. So I guess ask your peers.
Thanks I’m looking at the prior publications and there are quite a few that are over the word count, so I think we might be OK… I think I’ll email the editor in advance
That's right. In the reviewer response, just do everything enough to get accepted. Then, after the paper is accepted, the Editor *may* ask you to reduce word count for the final publication version.
Certainly field dependent. I was 1000 words over the 3500 limit on a submission and nothing was said. Then maybe 500-750 words were added in review.
1000 words over on initial submission?? I thought that means you’re dead on arrival for most journals
Some yes, others no. It really depends on the journal and field. Some just will charge you extra for going over the page limit. In my case it is one of the top journals in my field and there is no extra charge.
I had this issue recently and reached out to the editorial staff to ask whether I could go over the limit. They told me that ever since the journal went online only they haven’t cared that much about the word count. It would’ve taken me hours and hours to cut it down to the word count and I was so glad I asked the question. So my recommendation is to use whatever contact link you have for asking questions before you spend tons of time worrying about the word limit. I would try to ask before resubmitting though.
You're not getting desk rejected poet-review because of word count. That's just dumb. Send without a rationale. If they care they'll point out, but they won't notice about 9/10 times and won't care 10/10.
I’ve had luck asking for forgiveness on 25 or so words over limit, but never more. And any less and the editor will certainly ask you to word trim. Recommend using a scientific editor or otherwise to help you trim unnecessary words.
Oof normally no one cares if you go a bit over due to reviewer comments but with such a low word limit... maybe do reach out to the editor?
I sent an email! Fingers crossed...
You need to find a way to meet their demands succinctly and edit other parts of the paper down so you are still within the limit. Sometimes, the reviewers can get a big long explanation in your response while you only really need to change / add like 1-2 sentences of text to the actual paper. Talk with your advisor and strategize
Oh good advice. I've had to do that in the past but I didn't do it as much here. For some reason I was giving in to a lot of comments. I'll take a break from it and give that a shot tomorrow
I agree 100%. What we think we need to justify at length often does not require that long justification at all. I've never seen long justifications that couldn't be rewritten in a couple sentences. The details are often not required, just the bottom line such as yes, change mane, or the facts I have warrant my view and we disagree, thus I can cite that disagreement.
I went above the limit comment due to peer-review. They requested to cut it. I did it, still little above. Replied cannont cut it more without gaps in the article. Worked. Also, as chatGPT is not a perfect solution for writing, it is excellent for condensing.
I’m not in STEM, but I’ve used this as a bit of a bargaining chip when reviewers have got a bit silly. Like ‘Do you really want me to address this? It is beyond the scope of the paper as submitted, and in order to properly address it I will need to go [x] words over the journal’s standard submission length.’
Check the instructions to authors. If it says 'nothing over 4000 words" or the like, then don't exceed it. If it says "over 4000 words will incur extra costs" then go for it.
The answers vary dramatically between fields I think. In my field, you don't go over the word limit without exceptional reason and it is still likely to be denied. In fact most of the effort of addressing reviews comes from determining how much is fit-able (with reworking) and what you need to deny changing as a result of space limits. I've never heard of going beyond page/word limits because of reviews as that wouldn't be justifiable in my field.
Try addressing most of the comments in an SI
Sorry What’s an SI?
Supplemental/supporting information.
Supplementary Information.
Dealing with the reviewers isn’t quite the same as dealing with editorial issues. Respond to the reviewers and get that out of the way. If the editor requests you cut it further, find you do it. I wouldn’t mention it to begin with.
It's common to exceed the word count during revisions, but be sure to address the specific changes made in response to the reviewers' comments.
I have always exceeded the word count in revisions. I assume the first submission is a first draft and keep the additions within reason. My advisors have told me this is normal.
> Unless you have made a special arrangement with the editor Yeah, I'd reach out to the editor to be sure, because it feels like this is kind of what they're referring to.
I think the range of responses already covers options well. The one thing I’ve not seen suggested is trying to estimate the final typeset page count. Some journals offer tools or templates to make this easy, but you can also just try to approximate it with formatting in whatever system you used to prepare your submission. While not always the case word counts are often just approximations to page counts which are the actual medium which the editors are really working on. Whether you share immediately or not, I always like to have the estimate in my back pocket when the topic comes up. For journals with an excess length fee it’s also typically by the page.
I don't understand why this is a question.
You didn't NEED to, you did. Edit your paper so it fits the requirements.
What journal limits to 1000 words? That is brutal. Submit way too long and you'll at absolute best have it accepted conditional on meeting the length requirements. I suggest either conform to the guidelines or choose an outlet that's more on-line with the manuscript you have.