Those of you that do not work in publishing must wonder how journal editors manage to organise their manuscripts and the contact details of all the authors and reviewers. Well maybe you have not given it all that much thought, but say you had. You might think that we used notebooks or Excel sheets coupled with very, very organised folders in Outlook.
The truth is much more interesting, but unfortunately may dispell any illusions you may have about our super-human efficiency.
We have a Manuscript Tracking System!
Here is what it looks like when I log in in the morning (except better resolution of course!):
;-)
... and before the Manuscript Tracking System, we had filing cards. Lots and lots of them. And very good memories.
Ah, but how about the cousin, the “production tracking system”?!
Ah, well, you know, if money were no object and we had all the time in the world, I’d rather like universal brotherhood and world peace. If that can’t be managed I’d settle for a nice bit of decking out the back…
Dear Prof. Wicks,
I am really sorry for the delay in dealing with your comment. We have received one really positive review , but I was hoping for a second with more technical detail.
Thank you for your patience, and apologies for any inconvenience.
Kind wishes,
Bronwen Dekker
Assistant Editor, Nature Protocols