is there any conventional difference between these terms? please share your thoughts. Thanks!
Accepted, to appear, and forthcoming
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They are the same thing
Just like RR and revision requestedWhy was I no-gooded?
They mean the same thing if you see them in a CV or personal site. Nobody would write accepted when they receive the letter and then forthcoming after the final proofing is done. Nobody is that lame. I think most people get the acceptance and they write either of the three forms, and then wait (sometimes months sometimes more than a year) until the paper is published, and then they update
If there is any difference between them I think is only when you cite a paper. Then you wouldn't say accepted, you would say forthcoming.