diff --git a/submissions/views.py b/submissions/views.py
index 3ae50a5702a8882bbcf74922559395f21f415c3a..3171dc82a3f8a2a3c2a9061a3070fdc6b663c191 100644
--- a/submissions/views.py
+++ b/submissions/views.py
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ from common.utils import workdays_between
 from invitations.constants import STATUS_SENT
 from invitations.models import RegistrationInvitation
 from journals.models import Journal
+from mails.utils import DirectMailUtil
 from mails.views import MailEditingSubView
 from ontology.models import Topic
 from ontology.forms import SelectTopicForm
@@ -681,6 +682,12 @@ def editorial_assignment(request, identifier_w_vn_nr, assignment_id=None):
             if form.is_normal_cycle():
                 # Inform authors about new status.
                 SubmissionUtils.send_author_prescreening_passed_email()
+            else:
+                # Inform authors about new status.
+                mail_sender = DirectMailUtil(
+                    mail_code='authors/inform_authors_eic_assigned_direct_eic',
+                    assignment=submission)
+                mail_sender.send()
 
             submission.add_general_event('The Editor-in-charge has been assigned.')
             msg = 'Thank you for becoming Editor-in-charge of this submission.'
diff --git a/templates/email/authors/inform_authors_eic_assigned_direct_rec.html b/templates/email/authors/inform_authors_eic_assigned_direct_rec.html
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..e2f489e94ae9dc7430be4b0c90f6f6134ebd57dc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/templates/email/authors/inform_authors_eic_assigned_direct_rec.html
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+<p>
+    Dear {{ submission.submitted_by.get_title_display }} {{ submission.submitted_by.user.last_name }},
+</p>
+<p>
+  For your information, a Contributor Comment has been posted on a recent Report on your Submission
+  <br><br>
+  {{ submission.title }}
+  <br>by {{ submission.author_list }}<br>
+  (see https://scipost.org{{ submission.get_absolute_url }}.
+</p>
+
+<p>has been assigned to an editor. The editor chose to directly formulate an Editorial Recommendation.</p>
+<p>You will be informed shortly by email about the status of this Editorial Recommendation.</p>
+
+<p>
+    Sincerely,
+    <br>
+    The SciPost Team.
+</p>
diff --git a/templates/email/authors/inform_authors_eic_assigned_direct_rec.json b/templates/email/authors/inform_authors_eic_assigned_direct_rec.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..8d952bcb257fede2c6d20158fe25f078df5d1ed2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/templates/email/authors/inform_authors_eic_assigned_direct_rec.json
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+{
+    "subject": "SciPost: Editor assigned",
+    "to_address": "submitted_by.user.email",
+    "bcc_to": "edadmin@scipost.org",
+    "from_address_name": "SciPost Refereeing",
+    "from_address": "refereeing@scipost.org",
+    "context_object": "submission"
+}