Every year around the same time, the academic world slows down. Reviewers take well-deserved time off and editorial teams use the window to regroup and plan ahead. Submissions, however, don’t always follow the same calendar. They keep coming in steadily, sometimes unexpectedly and before we know it, a backlog starts to form.
That’s when timelines begin to stretch. Manuscripts wait longer in review. Author communication takes more time, and journals face the challenge of maintaining their publication rhythm without overextending their teams.
This is where scalable, short-term peer review support can make all the difference.
A reliable support system when you need It
At CACTUS, our peer review services are built for moments like these offering a flexible, high-quality way to manage manuscript volume without straining internal capacity. Whether your team is away or simply managing seasonal fluctuations, we step in as a trusted extension of your editorial workflow.
Our service delivers:
- 7-day peer review turnaround so authors aren’t left waiting and journals stay on schedule
- A pool of 4,500+ expert reviewers across disciplines
- Research integrity checks as standard, including red flag alerts for authorship concerns and unethical practices
- Seamless integration, simply invite us as a reviewer within your existing system
- Flexible, pay-as-you-use model no ongoing costs, no contract requirements
Case in Point: From Seasonal Backlog to $1M in Revenue
One major publisher recently turned to CACTUS when faced with a growing backlog of manuscripts, some pending review for over 90 days. Their in-house team was already at capacity and reviewer availability was lower than usual.
With CACTUS onboard, they were able to clear their backlog, improve time-to-publication, and most notably convert those delayed manuscripts into over $1 million in profit. By maintaining their review momentum through a traditionally slow period, they protected both author satisfaction and revenue continuity.
Conclusion
Whether it’s summer, year-end or a surge in submissions around special issues, journals need options that allow them to scale quickly without sacrificing quality or control. With CACTUS, you can tap into professional peer review support only when you need it.
Our reviewers deliver constructive feedback aligned with your journal’s scope. And because every review includes integrated checks for research integrity, you’re not just accelerating your workflow you’re reinforcing trust in every decision you make.
Our goal is simple: to help journals maintain their publishing rhythm, uphold review quality and stay agile year-round.
Ready to reduce your backlog and keep peer review moving, even when your team takes a well-earned break? Contact us, we can help you with that.
