Re: unsolicited contributions

On 05/18/2000, Marty Hayes <9ball[_at_]hostsite.net> wrote:
>
> WOW. Given the blatant hostility you appear to have for publishers.....

No, I've worked with publishers a lot. I'm just saying this is a notoriously inefficent industry. Maybe hospitals too are getting to be overly slipshod.

Somebody brought up many of your points off-list, and I'm not the best person to hear apologias about how hard it is for publishers to read or keep track of manuscripts. I teach in a college, which means I have to read _and annotate_ about 2,000 student papers per semester. That's my job. I don't complain about it. I've never lost a student paper in my life, and if the student submits something with the paper such as a postcard, photo, or personal memento I make it my business to ensure that this material is returned in good condition to the student. I try, in other words, to do my job in a professional manner. I'm not urging that we flog everyone who doesn't... just saying it's never optimal if more and more people get more and more slipshod.

> In my opinion, it is a more reasonable request to ask the creator
> to send a (dispensable) copy.

I agree, and some journals do just that -- explain in a careful and civil manner that they don't have the resources to return manuscripts and therefore please remember not to send photos (send xeroxes of the photos), your only copy of the manuscript, etc. That's a far cry from using gratuitous terms like "unsolicited manuscripts." Isn't the situation similar to that of, say, a corporation that advertises one job opening, and 300 applicants appear? However they choose to handle it, I don't think it's good business practice to send out letters that begin, "We have received your unwanted job application." In some industries -- say, credit cards or computer manufacturers -- it's extremely unusual for an employee to be rude or derisive. In others, employees aren't trained as well, and -- as above -- I think this is poor business judgment.

pat

Pat Sloane
<patsloane[_at_]aol.com> Received on Thu May 18 2000 - 14:26:21 GMT