Small (Wiley) 'Under Review': What Each Status Means and When to Expect a Decision
If your Small (Wiley) submission shows Under Review, here is what each status means, how long each stage typically takes, and when to follow up.
What to do next
Already submitted to Small? Use this page to interpret the status and choose the next step.
The useful next step is understanding what the status usually means at Small, how long the wait normally runs, and when a follow-up is actually reasonable.
Small review timeline: what the data shows
Time to first decision is the most actionable number. What happens after varies by manuscript and reviewer availability.
What shapes the timeline
- Desk decisions are fast. Scope problems surface within days.
- Reviewer availability is the main variable after triage. Specialized topics take longer to assign.
- Revision rounds reset the clock. Major revision typically adds 6-12 weeks per round.
What to do while waiting
- Track status in the submission portal — status changes signal active review.
- Wait at least the journal's stated median before sending a status inquiry.
- Prepare revision materials in parallel if you expect a revise-and-resubmit decision.
_Last reviewed: 2026-05-16._
Quick answer: If your Small manuscript shows "Under Review," elapsed time is the reliable signal. Small (Wiley) has a 2024 JCR impact factor of 13.0, accepts about 20 percent of submissions, and reports a median first-decision time of 4 to 8 weeks. If still Under Review past 2 weeks, you have likely cleared the initial editorial screen.
Submission portal and editorial contact: Small uses Wiley ScholarOne at mc.manuscriptcentral.com/small. Editorial questions go to small@wiley.com, referencing your manuscript ID.
Small desk-rejects roughly 50 to 60 percent of submissions in 7 to 14 days. If past that window, peer review is active.
While you wait
You can't speed up Small's review. A Small submission readiness check flags nanoscience-significance gaps, characterization-completeness issues, and missing benchmarking that drive most desk rejections, in about 5 minutes.
Small's review pipeline
Status | What is happening | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|
Submitted to Journal | Administrative processing | Day 0 to 2 |
With Editor | Editor evaluating desk-screen fit | Days 2 to 14 |
Under Review | Reviewers invited or actively reviewing | Days 14 to 56 |
Required Reviews Complete | Editor synthesizing reports | 5 to 10 days |
Decision in Process | Editor finalizing decision letter | 3 to 7 days |
Decision Sent | Reject, R&R, or accept | Check email |
The editorial desk screen (about 50 to 60 percent rejected)
Small editors evaluate nanoscience significance, characterization completeness, and Small-vs-ACS Nano-vs-Nano Letters scope fit. A desk rejection usually means scope mismatch or characterization gaps.
Day 0: ScholarOne upload
The mc.manuscriptcentral.com/small portal accepts the package and routes to a handling editor.
Days 1 to 14: Editor desk-screen
The handling editor reads the paper and decides whether to invite reviewers.
Days 14 to 28: Reviewer invitations
Small typically invites two to three reviewers with nanoscience expertise.
Days 21 to 56: Peer review
Reviewer reports return on a 4 to 8 week cadence.
Days 56 to 84: First editorial decision
Major revision is the most common outcome.
Days 84 to 240: Revision rounds and acceptance
Single-revision acceptances run roughly 4 to 6 months.
When to worry
- Rejection within 1 to 5 days: Administrative issue or scope mismatch.
- Rejection within 7 to 14 days: Desk rejection.
- Still Under Review after 3 weeks: Good sign.
- Still Under Review after 10 weeks: Reviewer delay.
Readiness check
While you wait on Small, scan your next manuscript.
The scan takes about 1-2 minutes. Use the result to decide whether to revise before the decision comes back.
What to do while waiting
- Do not contact during the first 8 weeks unless urgent.
- Prepare a point-by-point response template focused on characterization completeness and benchmarking.
How Small compares to nearby alternatives
Feature | Small | Nano Letters | Advanced Materials | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Desk rejection rate | 50 to 60 percent | 40 to 50 percent | 50 to 60 percent | 60 to 70 percent |
Desk decision speed | 7 to 14 days | 7 to 14 days | 7 to 14 days | 14 to 21 days |
Total review time | 4 to 8 weeks | 6 to 10 weeks | 6 to 10 weeks | 6 to 10 weeks |
Editorial bar | Broad nanoscience with significance | High-impact nanomaterials with characterization depth | Letters-format high-impact nanoscience | Top broad materials with significance |
Submit if your paper passed the desk
If your Small paper is Under Review past 2 weeks, you have likely cleared the desk screen.
Small submission readiness check. It takes about 1-2 minutes.
Think twice before assuming "Under Review" means safe
Small editors retain discretion to reject after partial review. Our Small manuscript fit check flags characterization gaps and missing benchmarking before reviewers do.
For a free pre-upload diagnostic, use the Small manuscript fit check.
Last verified: Small author guidance, Wiley ScholarOne portal at mc.manuscriptcentral.com/small, and editorial contact at small@wiley.com.
The Small reviewer experience
Reviewer focus area | What Small asks reviewers to evaluate | How to prepare |
|---|---|---|
Nanoscience significance | Is the contribution at Small-level impact? | Differentiate clearly from work that would fit ACS Applied Nano or specialty journals |
Characterization completeness | TEM/SEM, XRD, XPS, etc. as appropriate? | Front-load characterization in main text |
Benchmarking | Quantitative comparison to state-of-the-art? | Include benchmarking table |
Broader scope | Does the work travel beyond one nanomaterial class? | Generalize implications carefully |
Reproducibility | Could another lab reproduce these results? | Provide detailed synthesis protocols |
In our pre-submission review work with Small manuscripts
Three failure patterns generate the most consistent rejections.
Single-property paper without broader implications. Small expects nanoscience contributions with broader significance.
Characterization gaps. Reviewers verify complete characterization for property claims.
Wrong nanoscience venue chosen. Small competes with ACS Nano, Nano Letters, and Advanced Materials. The fix is informed routing.
Methodology note
This page was created from Small's public author guidance, Wiley ScholarOne documentation, and Manusights review work.
Frequently asked questions
Your manuscript has cleared Wiley ScholarOne admin checks and is being evaluated, either by the handling editor or by external peer reviewers. Small treats 'Under Review' as the active editorial period.
Small reports a median first-decision time of 4 to 8 weeks. Desk decisions usually arrive within 1 to 2 weeks; full peer-review decisions land 6 to 12 weeks after submission.
Wait at least 8 weeks before inquiring. Contact small@wiley.com, referencing the manuscript ID.
Your paper passed the desk screen and reviewers are being invited. Small typically invites two to three reviewers with nanoscience and characterization expertise.
Yes. The 4 to 8 week median means roughly half of papers take longer.
Past 10 weeks is the right moment for a polite, factual inquiry. Silence in the first 5 weeks is normal.
Sources
Best next step
Use this page to interpret the status and choose the next sensible move.
For Small, the better next step is guidance on timing, follow-up, and what to do while the manuscript is still in the system. Save the Free Readiness Scan for the next paper you have not submitted yet.
Guidance first. Use the scan for the next manuscript.
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Where to go next
Start here
Same journal, next question
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Supporting reads
Conversion step
Use this page to interpret the status and choose the next sensible move.
Guidance first. Use the scan for the next manuscript.