The submission of a manuscript is a serious commitment to the scholarly community. However, there may be circumstances in which authors request withdrawal. This policy outlines how AFNS manages such requests while maintaining fairness, accountability, and the integrity of the academic record.

Withdrawal Before Peer Review

Authors may withdraw a manuscript before it has been sent for peer review without penalty. A formal request must be submitted in writing to the editorial office, including the manuscript ID and reason for withdrawal. The request is acknowledged within five working days.

Withdrawal During Peer Review

If authors request withdrawal after peer review has begun, they must provide a clear justification. Since reviewers volunteer their time, withdrawals at this stage are discouraged. Authors may be asked to reimburse partial costs related to the review process if the reason for withdrawal is not compelling.

Withdrawal After Acceptance

Once a manuscript is accepted, withdrawal is permitted only under exceptional circumstances, such as major errors or ethical concerns. In these cases:

• The editorial board reviews the withdrawal request.
• If approved, a withdrawal notice is issued to ensure transparency.
• The article is marked as “Withdrawn” in the journal system but remains visible in metadata for accountability.

Withdrawal After Online Publication

Articles published online are part of the permanent scientific record. Post-publication withdrawals are not permitted except in proven cases of:

• Plagiarism or copyright infringement.
• Unethical research practices.
• Major, uncorrectable errors that compromise scientific validity.

In such cases, a retraction notice will be issued rather than a withdrawal, following COPE guidelines.

Author Responsibilities

Authors are urged to ensure the accuracy and completeness of their work before submission. Withdrawal should never be used to submit the same manuscript to multiple journals simultaneously or to avoid necessary revisions suggested during peer review.

Editorial Responsibilities

The editorial board treats withdrawal requests with fairness and transparency. Communication with authors is respectful, and all decisions are documented to protect both the journal and the academic community from malpractice.

Conclusion

AFNS recognizes that withdrawal may sometimes be necessary. However, it must be handled responsibly to respect the time of reviewers, editors, and readers. By following this policy, the journal balances author rights with the integrity of scholarly publishing.