Yes, Harvey, there is [n] a Santa Claus.  I have had exactly that
experience, and somewhat recently, from a major American University
press.  And it was followed by a similar and disconcertingly brusque
experience from a major European University press.  I am terrified at
this point, emotionally, of university presses (yes, that boy sure does
generalize from stimuli quickly!).  I found that although I have been
writing for over thirty-five years and publishing for over twenty, I was
humiliated, disenchanted, depressed and altogether in need of Harvey Roy
Greenberg's professional services.
 
But having said this, let me just say that I did recently have a
profoundly positive experience in academic publishing as well, with an
editor who was not only helpful and courteous but a loyal friend through
the process.  So it can go both ways, but it shouldn't go the first way.
There are plenty of civil ways to reject a manuscript, and we are giving
up civility, I fear.
 
Murray Pomerance
 
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