Editorial Processes

Authors are invited to email their manuscripts to mycologicalspectrum@gmail.com. The initial submission does not require adherence to a strict formatting guideline. However, submissions should include a cover letter, authorship and conflict of interest declarations, the main manuscript text, figures, tables, references, acknowledgements, and any supplementary materials. This flexible policy aims to streamline the submission process and accommodate a wide range of research formats.

Upon receipt, manuscripts undergo an initial screening by the Editorial Office to assess their relevance, quality, and compliance with ethical standards. This step is designed to identify serious concerns such as plagiarism, data or image manipulation, redundant publication, or simultaneous submission elsewhere. Manuscripts that do not meet these criteria are returned to the authors with appropriate feedback.

Manuscripts passing the initial examination are assigned to a Handling Editor with expertise in the relevant mycological field. The Handling Editor oversees the peer review process and selects qualified reviewers to evaluate the manuscript. Reviewers assess scientific merit, novelty, clarity, methodology, and overall contribution to the field. Reviewer identities remain confidential until final acceptance of manuscript. Reviewers submit detailed evaluations and recommendations, which the Handling Editor reviews and supplements with their own commentary.

Following this process, the Editor-in-Chief or Managing Editor makes the final decision based on the reviewers’ assessments and the Handling Editor’s recommendation. Decisions may include acceptance, acceptance with minor or major revisions, or rejection. If revisions are required, authors are provided with feedback and given 30 days to submit a revised manuscript, along with a point-by-point response to reviewers' comments. Authors are expected to follow formatting instructions carefully during the revision phase. Final decisions on revised manuscripts are typically communicated within two to four weeks, although in some cases, further review may be required before a final determination is made.

Once a manuscript is accepted, it enters the production phase. Mycological Spectrum production team sends a formatted proof to the corresponding author for final review. At this stage, only minor corrections such as typographical errors or formatting adjustments are permitted. Major changes are discouraged and require editorial approval, as they may delay publication. Prompt return of the corrected proof ensures the timely release of the article.

Published articles are made available through Mycological Spectrum website. Corresponding authors are notified via email once their articles are live. As an open-access journal, Mycological Spectrum ensures free and unrestricted access to the full-text PDF of each published paper, promoting broad dissemination and visibility of research findings.

To safeguard the impartiality of the editorial process, Mycological Spectrum maintains strict conflict of interest and editorial independence policies. If a submission involves an individual affiliated with the journal—such as an editorial board member—the individual is excluded from all editorial decisions regarding the manuscript. In such cases, an independent editor handles the submission, and the peer review process remains double-blinded. With consent, the names of the Handling Editor and reviewers may be disclosed upon publication to enhance transparency. These practices align with guidelines established by COPE and the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ).

If errors are discovered after publication, Mycological Spectrum issues corrigenda to maintain the accuracy and integrity of the scholarly record. Authors who identify errors in their published work should contact the Editorial Office with details. The corrigendum will describe the necessary correction and be published in a future issue. This transparent approach ensures the reliability and credibility of the journal’s published content.

Through a rigorous and transparent editorial workflow, Mycological Spectrum ensures the publication of high-quality, ethically sound research that advances the field of fungal biology and contributes meaningfully to the global understanding of fungal diversity.