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 ---- Screen-L is sponsored by the Telecommunication & Film Dept., the University of Alabama.