Just for entertainment value, here is a message I received a few weeks
ago from a major ecology journal at a major publisher (names removed, as
the matter was resolved). If it is the case that this kind of thing can
actually happen, something needs to change.
--
Dear AUTHOR,
I trust you are doing well.
As you will notice, there are no reviewers assigned to your paper as of
this date. We tried our best to speed up the review process by sending
reminders and follow-up emails to referees. Regrettably, most of them
are too busy to handle your paper at this time.
In light of this, we would like to advise you to withdraw your paper.
However, we also leave you to re-submit if you wish to do so.
We would appreciate if you could let us know your decision within 14 days.
Thank you very much for your prompt response on this matter.
--
The first question asked by all of the colleagues I discussed it with
was whether this was really from the journal. It is a legitimate email.
Interesting, no?
Sarah
--
Dr. Sarah Goslee
USDA-ARS Pasture Systems and Watershed Management Research Unit
Adjunct Associate Professor, Crop and Soil Sciences Department
Penn State
Building 3702, Curtin Road
University Park, PA 16802
Phone: 814-863-0887
Fax: 814-863-0935
[email protected]
