diff --git a/submissions/management/commands/send_refereeing_reminders.py b/submissions/management/commands/send_refereeing_reminders.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..ea0039307ffa670a5035d06d1b2f6fc22e796fb9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/submissions/management/commands/send_refereeing_reminders.py
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+__copyright__ = "Copyright 2016-2018, Stichting SciPost (SciPost Foundation)"
+__license__ = "AGPL v3"
+
+
+from django.core.management.base import BaseCommand
+from django.utils import timezone
+
+from mails.utils import DirectMailUtil
+
+from ...models import Submission
+
+
+class Command(BaseCommand):
+    help = 'Sends all email reminders needed for Submissions undergoing refereeing'
+    def handle(self, *args, **options):
+        for submission in Submission.objects.open_for_reporting():
+            # fewer than 3 referees invited within 48 hours? EIC must take action
+            # TODO
+            # 3 days after ref invite sent out, upon no response from referee: first auto reminder
+            for invitation in submission.referee_invitations.pending():
+                if (timezone.now() > invitation.date_invited + timezone.timedelta(days=2)
+                    and timezone.now() < invitation.date_invited + timezone.timedelta(days=3)):
+                    if invitation.referee:
+                        mail_sender = DirectMailUtil(
+                            mail_code='referees/invite_contributor_to_referee_reminder1',
+                            instance=invitation)
+                        mail_sender.send()
+                    else:
+                        mail_sender = DirectMailUtil(
+                            mail_code='referees/invite_unregistered_to_referee_reminder1',
+                            instance=invitation)
+                        mail_sender.send()
+            # second and final reminder after 6 days
+            # TODO
+            # after 8 days of no response, EIC is automatically emailed
+            # with the suggestion of removing and replacing this referee
+            # TODO
+            # one week before refereeing deadline: auto email reminder to ref
+            if (submission.reporting_deadline > timezone.now() + timezone.timedelta(days=7)
+                and submission.reporting_deadline < timezone.now() + timezone.timedelta(days=8)):
+                for invitation in submission.refereeing_invitations.in_process():
+                    mail_sender = DirectMailUtil(mail_code='referees/remind_referee_deadline_1week',
+                                                 instance=invitation)
+                    mail_sender.send()
diff --git a/submissions/managers.py b/submissions/managers.py
index ff3e92c924778b67d47ec6a1e1e83cc92e3e53d9..a639e9e5d43ec62085ad9b5c3ce73b0bda237936 100644
--- a/submissions/managers.py
+++ b/submissions/managers.py
@@ -202,7 +202,7 @@ class SubmissionQuerySet(models.QuerySet):
 
     def open_for_reporting(self):
         """
-        Return Submissions that have appriopriate status for reporting.
+        Return Submissions that have appropriate status for reporting.
         The `open_for_reporting` property is not filtered as some invited visitors
         still need to have access.
         """
@@ -358,11 +358,11 @@ class RefereeInvitationQuerySet(models.QuerySet):
     def in_process(self):
         return self.accepted().filter(fulfilled=False)
 
-    def approaching_deadline(self):
+    def approaching_deadline(self, days=2):
         qs = self.in_process()
-        psuedo_deadline = now + datetime.timedelta(days=2)
+        pseudo_deadline = now + datetime.timedelta(days)
         deadline = datetime.datetime.now()
-        qs = qs.filter(submission__reporting_deadline__lte=psuedo_deadline,
+        qs = qs.filter(submission__reporting_deadline__lte=pseudo_deadline,
                        submission__reporting_deadline__gte=deadline)
         return qs
 
diff --git a/submissions/views.py b/submissions/views.py
index 2903c0c04583d8615536b6cd4602c50edcd125df..6f7122abcf70aeffea339a21ce93abbff864e78d 100644
--- a/submissions/views.py
+++ b/submissions/views.py
@@ -863,7 +863,6 @@ def ref_invitation_reminder(request, arxiv_identifier_w_vn_nr, invitation_id):
     invitation.nr_reminders += 1
     invitation.date_last_reminded = timezone.now()
     invitation.save()
-    SubmissionUtils.load({'invitation': invitation})
     if invitation.referee is not None:
         SubmissionUtils.send_ref_reminder_email()
     else:
diff --git a/templates/email/referees/invite_contributor_to_referee_reminder1.html b/templates/email/referees/invite_contributor_to_referee_reminder1.html
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..848b471619fd0a7567910de9bfddd260a922fcd0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/templates/email/referees/invite_contributor_to_referee_reminder1.html
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+<p>
+  Dear {{invitation.referee.get_title_display}} {{invitation.referee.user.last_name}},
+</p>
+<p>
+  Recently, on behalf of the Editor-in-charge {{ invitation.submission.editor_in_charge.get_title_display }} {{ invitation.submission.editor_in_charge.user.last_name }}, we invited you to consider refereeing a Submission to {{ invitation.submission.get_submitted_to_journal_display }}, namely<br><br>
+    {{ invitation.submission.title }}<br>
+    by {{ invitation.submission.author_list }}<br>
+    (see https://scipost.org{{ invitation.submission.get_absolute_url }} - first submitted {{ invitation.submission.original_submission_date|date:"d M Y" }}).
+</p>
+<p>
+  We are still awaiting your response to this invitation.
+  To ensure timely processing of the submission (out of respect for the authors),
+  could you please let us know whether we can count on your expertise?
+</p>
+<p>
+    Please <a href="https://scipost.org/submissions/accept_or_decline_ref_invitations">accept or decline</a> (login required) this invitation.
+</p>
+<p>
+    If you accept, your report can be submitted by simply clicking on the "Contribute a Report" link on <a href="https://scipost.org{{invitation.submission.get_absolute_url}}">the Submission Page</a> before the reporting deadline (currently set at {{invitation.submission.reporting_deadline|date:'d M Y'}}; your report will be automatically recognized as an invited report).
+</p>
+<p>
+    You might want to make sure you are familiar with our refereeing <a href="https://scipost.org/journals/journals_terms_and_conditions">code of conduct</a> and with <a href="https://scipost.org/submissions/sub_and_ref_procedure">the refereeing procedure</a>.
+</p>
+<p>
+    We would be extremely grateful for your contribution, and thank you in advance for your consideration.
+    <br>
+    The SciPost Team.
+</p>
+{% include 'email/_footer.html' %}
diff --git a/templates/email/referees/invite_contributor_to_referee_reminder1.json b/templates/email/referees/invite_contributor_to_referee_reminder1.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..efffa748625d56d5bc4837712e43f0cc4d42d4fa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/templates/email/referees/invite_contributor_to_referee_reminder1.json
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+{
+    "subject": "SciPost: refereeing request reminder",
+    "to_address": "referee.user.email",
+    "bcc_to": "submission.editor_in_charge.user.email,admin@scipost.org",
+    "from_address_name": "SciPost Refereeing",
+    "from_address": "refereeing@scipost.org",
+    "context_object": "invitation"
+}
diff --git a/templates/email/referees/invite_unregistered_to_referee_reminder1.html b/templates/email/referees/invite_unregistered_to_referee_reminder1.html
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..b8d8862f65626f8831596e07d0582daca1c07b22
--- /dev/null
+++ b/templates/email/referees/invite_unregistered_to_referee_reminder1.html
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+<p>
+  Dear {{ invitation.get_title_display }} {{ invitation.last_name }},
+</p>
+<p>
+  Recently, on behalf of the Editor-in-charge {{ invitation.submission.editor_in_charge.get_title_display }} {{ invitation.submission.editor_in_charge.user.last_name }}, we invited you to consider refereeing a Submission to {{ invitation.submission.get_submitted_to_journal_display }}, namely<br><br>
+    {{ invitation.submission.title }}<br>
+    by {{ invitation.submission.author_list }}<br>
+    (see https://scipost.org{{ invitation.submission.get_absolute_url }} - first submitted {{ invitation.submission.original_submission_date|date:"d M Y" }}).
+</p>
+<p>
+  We are still awaiting your response to this invitation.
+  To ensure timely processing of the submission (out of respect for the authors),
+  could you please let us know whether we can count on your expertise?
+</p>
+<p>
+    If you are <strong>not</strong> able to provide a Report, you can let us know by simply <a href="https://scipost.org/submissions/decline_ref_invitation/{{ invitation.invitation_key }}"> clicking here</a>.
+</p>
+<p>
+  If you are able to provide a Report, you can confirm this after registering and logging in (you will automatically be prompted for a confirmation).
+</p>
+<p>
+  We would thus hereby like to cordially invite you to become a Contributor on SciPost (this is required in order to deliver reports; our records show that you are not yet registered);
+  for your convenience, we have prepared a pre-filled <a href="https://scipost.org/invitation/{{ invitation.invitation_key }}">registration form</a> for you.
+  After activation of your registration, you will be allowed to contribute, in particular by providing referee reports.
+</p>
+<p>
+    We very much hope that we can count on your expertise,
+    <br>
+    Many thanks in advance,
+    <br>
+    The SciPost Team
+</p>
+
+{% include 'email/_footer.html' %}
diff --git a/templates/email/referees/invite_unregistered_to_referee_reminder1.json b/templates/email/referees/invite_unregistered_to_referee_reminder1.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..3bbadb41742bba9a0ee093ff89483f76bd5d4fc0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/templates/email/referees/invite_unregistered_to_referee_reminder1.json
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+{
+    "subject": "SciPost: refereeing and registration invitation reminder",
+    "to_address": "email_address",
+    "bcc_to": "invited_by.email,admin@scipost.org",
+    "from_address_name": "SciPost Refereeing",
+    "from_address": "refereeing@scipost.org",
+    "context_object": "invitation"
+}
diff --git a/templates/email/referees/remind_referee_deadline_1week.html b/templates/email/referees/remind_referee_deadline_1week.html
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..b9e9f9ddfde78cce804bda144d075de0fb13a05d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/templates/email/referees/remind_referee_deadline_1week.html
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+<p>
+    Dear {{invitation.referee.get_title_display}} {{invitation.referee.user.last_name}},
+</p>
+<p>
+  This is a simple email to remind you of the approaching deadline (in one week) to send a Report on
+  <br><br>
+  <a href="https://scipost.org{{invitation.submission.get_absolute_url}}">{{invitation.submission.title}}</a>
+  <br>by {{invitation.submission.author_list}}<br>
+  (see https://scipost.org{{ invitation.submission.get_absolute_url }} - first submitted {{ invitation.submission.original_submission_date|date:"d M Y" }}).
+</p>
+<p>
+  Thank you in advance,
+  <br>
+  The SciPost Team.
+</p>
+{% include 'email/_footer.html' %}
diff --git a/templates/email/referees/remind_referee_deadline_1week.json b/templates/email/referees/remind_referee_deadline_1week.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..e029914ea4061d52a4084c9d00d8095611ccdadf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/templates/email/referees/remind_referee_deadline_1week.json
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+{
+    "subject": "SciPost: refereeing deadline approaching",
+    "to_address": "referee.user.email",
+    "bcc_to": "submission.editor_in_charge.user.email,admin@scipost.org",
+    "from_address_name": "SciPost Refereeing",
+    "from_address": "refereeing@scipost.org",
+    "context_object": "invitation"
+}