Friday, January 11

Editorial Correspondence

An email to the editor of a book on innovations in IT education (who invited me to contribute an article on the philosophy of computer science):

Dear editor,

I am a professor in a small university in a developing country, and after your kind invitation in November I asked you whether authors in developing countries can get a discount price when publishing in your book (originally US$110 per page.) You replied me that your organization may consider that in the future. Unfortunately I had to decline your invitation, because my university cannot afford to pay 1300US$ for my contribution to your book.

Concerning your kind review request for the very same book in this January: I am happy to review your chapter proposals at the cost of US$110 per page. As I work in a small university in a developing country, I may consider a lower price in the future.

Best Regards

M. T.

6 comments:

Justus said...

Good for you M. T.!

caislas said...

hehehehe

excellent!

What a way to play!
Let us know if there is any type of answer to the letter!

j said...

We need more profs with your integrity.

Kaido said...

As they say in Internet: ROTFLMAO...

I especially love this "I may consider..."

But seriously, this is one of the best down-to-earth examples of the skewed business models rampant in scientific publishing. No wonder those guys are so afraid of Open Access movement gaining ground...

m-t said...

I think Kaido said it best: the pay-per-publication concept is a sham! Especially when reviewers are still doing their work for free.

The pay-per-publication concept is similar to the deal you have with the waste disposal company: you pay them to take your garbage out.

Anonymous said...

Well, things are not changing fast in the academic world.
Fun to read; I have to copycat it someday in my own dealings with the business.
Greetings from Korea, though from a non-Korean.