In journals that use Manuscript central, there are a few possibilities. It is difficult to estimate how much longer you need to wait. Quality and efficiency in reviewing is essential to the success of TOPS. For my case, the status is same for last 15+ days? Authors of rejected manuscripts may request after a minimum of 4 weeks. Since the reviews have come in, the AE should ideally not take too long to give his recommendation. DE to handle the revision DE assignment will be decided on a case-by-case basis. How to write an email to the editor inquiring about the current status of my paper? The status 'Awaiting AE Recommendation' means that based on the peer reviewer or technical editor review in this case the AE is making a decision on the paper The AE then conveys their decision to the Editor-in-Chief EiC who makes the final decision. Awaiting Reviewer Selection The same field of final papers that special issue a recommendation after all. Accept as is: A recommendation to publish the manuscript in its original form.