Built for researchers,
not instead of them.

redpen.review exists because the gap between finishing a manuscript and submitting it is one of the loneliest moments in academic life. You need a critical eye, honest feedback, and someone who knows the field.

Principle one

We advise. We never rewrite.

Every word in your manuscript is yours. redpen.review identifies what needs strengthening and suggests directions. It does not generate text for you to copy in. This is a founding principle, not a setting.

Principle two

Your judgement comes first.

The review is AI-assisted guidance, not absolute truth. AI can make mistakes. You are the expert on your own research. Treat the feedback as you would advice from a knowledgeable colleague: consider it, question it, decide what to act on.

Principle three

Human in the loop.

AI is a powerful tool for analysis. It is not a replacement for researcher judgement. redpen.review is designed to augment your thinking, surface things you may have missed, and help you see your own work more clearly.

Why we built this

The hardest moment for many researchers is the one before submission. You have done the work. You know the field. But you are too close to the manuscript to see it clearly. Peer review happens after submission, when it is too late to catch the fixable things.

Most papers are rejected for reasons that could have been addressed beforehand. A weak opening. A discussion that describes findings without interpreting them. A methods section that leaves reviewers uncertain. These are not failures of the research. They are fixable.

redpen.review was built to find those things before your reviewer does. Not to do the writing for you. To give you the honest, expert-level second opinion that researchers at well-connected institutions take for granted, and that everyone else deserves access to.

How the review works

When you upload a manuscript, redpen.review reads the full text before forming any judgements. It identifies the specific sub-discipline, methodology, and analytical approach, then reviews through the lens of an expert in that field rather than as a generalist.

The review covers every section of the manuscript, the logical thread from research question to conclusion, writing quality, statistical or analytical rigour, figures and tables, grammar and typos, and a set of priority actions ordered by impact.

The review is guidance, not gospel. AI can misread context or miss field-specific conventions. Please treat the feedback as informed advice. Your expertise as the researcher comes first. For details on how your data is handled, see our Privacy Policy.

Frequently asked questions

Is this the same as using ChatGPT or Claude to review my paper?
No. General AI tools give general feedback. redpen.review identifies your specific sub-discipline and methodology and reviews through that lens, applying a framework drawn from the standards of academic peer review. The output reads like a peer reviewer, not a chatbot.
Is this compatible with academic integrity policies?
Using redpen.review to receive critical feedback is consistent with standard academic development practice, just as seeking feedback from a supervisor or writing centre is. Policies vary between institutions and journals, however. You are responsible for checking whether your institution or target journal has specific restrictions on AI tool use in manuscript preparation.
What file formats do you support?
.docx (Microsoft Word) and .pdf. For best results, use a complete manuscript file including references.
What if the review contains an error or unhelpful feedback?
AI can make mistakes and field-specific conventions vary. If feedback seems wrong for your context, trust your own expertise. If you encounter a consistent problem, please use the Contact button on the main site to let us know.
How is pricing structured?
A simple credit system with no subscription. Top up when you need to, credits never expire. The cost depends on manuscript length with the first Your first 2,500 words are on us. See the home page for current rates.

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