I would like to ask for your thoughtful advice on how to handle with the editor in chief's unfair continuous rejection and mental bullying. From my viewpoint, the EIC is emotional and immature and also has internal insecurity. I understand such a phenomenon; however, I do not know well how to protect myself from such an unfair treatment and bullying. Just would it be the best solution not to submit my papers to the journal?
This has happened to me on a few occasions - especially with editors who want things changed, added or deleted I strongly feel obscure or miss the key points. I've been a senior editor several times and have noticed more than a few editor colleagues don't really understand their roles, and, often abuse their powers (and can be quite childish or insidiously political and competitive for a wide spectrum of personal reasons). My apologies you're facing these obstacles. When I face these things, I'm usually patient and diplomatic... for awhile. But if an impasse is evident and no alternatives are readily apparent, my colleagues and I generally just pull the piece, write a clear letter explaining the inherent problems [diplomatically but candid and firm enough, with some key but fair quotations from communique], and submit the article elsewhere. You can try asking if someone else at the journal can work with you... but if the senior editor has an authoritarian and influential position vis-a-vis others on the staff, it can be just as difficult. However, don't be afraid to put your foot down. Don't be intimidated. Personally, I have appreciated it when submitters have occasionally needed to enlightened me and correct my misinterpretations, etc. Hope this helps.
David Kyle Latinis Thanks a million for your advice and support. I am very stressed about the childish editor. No matter how logical and constructive statements I presented, I feel like I am just talking to a wall. Even, the editor has a totally different expertise from my specialization. I cannot really understand how the editor can serve as the EIC.
Being rejected on fair grounds and objective criteria is acceptable; however, rejection based on political reasons, prejudice, and ethnicity is nothing but academic bullying. The main thing is that you should never give up.
Agnieszka Will geb. Gronek
Thanks a million for your kind advice!
I have an idea to avoid her bias. I hope that it would work. Let me share it with you once it works, someday.
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