From submit to decision
Uploading the manuscript, checking the author list and contribution statements, ethics/COI forms, revisions, and confirming all coauthors consent—usually led by the corresponding author.
Chinese journals often add signed pledges, institutional letters, and invoice handling. Use a durable email, not only a short-lived student address.
- Own the portal account and deadlines
- Collect coauthor confirmation of text and author order
- Version-control revisions so multiple uploads do not collide
After acceptance
Proofs, copyright/OA choices, final funding and acknowledgments, camera-ready files—still often submitted by the corresponding author.
Data/code requests, corrections, and errata also route here. Update contact info after a job move.
First author and co-corresponding
First authorship often marks who drove the work; corresponding authorship marks external responsibility. Same person or split is fine. Co-corresponding must appear in the portal and final PDF, with a clear “who answers email” pact.
A silent corresponding author delays everyone more than a byline argument.
FAQ
- Can a student be corresponding author?
- Yes if they can handle editorial traffic. Many groups use advisor-as-corresponding and student-as-first; follow your collaboration norms.
- Does corresponding author own all misconduct risk?
- All authors share responsibility; the corresponding author is contacted first. Confirm every coauthor approved the final file.