Problems with Manuscript!

[Benno ter Kuile]

	Dear Martin,

				 I am not so sure that the undiscovering was not 
deliberate. Editors are known to make this kind of "mistakes" when 
they suspect personality problems. Unless you can "prove" that 
this reviewer was unlikely to be objective, I think the best course of 
action is to completely ignore the fact you know his identity.

	As in all dealings with manuscripts, the best tone as 
busisnesslike as possible. Ignore any potential personal issues, 
but respond precisely to the comments. Start by saying you 
appreciate the constructive comments of the second reviewer, but 
that those of the first "confuse" you. "Confuse" is the generally 
accepted buzzword. Then explain item by item what you think. 
Statements like "we rewrote this paragraph, but may be not 
exactly as the reviewer intended" are very effective as well. As 
someone who often publishes unusual papers I have build up a 
large repertoire of such responses. When editors realise you take 
them seriously and that you aim at getting a good paper out, rather 
than doing anything to see your name in print, they give you some 
slack.

Hope this helps,

Benno 



Benno ter Kuile
Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Gorlaeus Laboratories.
Leiden University;Einsteinweg 55 / P.O. Box 9502 2300RA, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Phone:        +31 71 5275272    TeleFax:      +31 71 5274537


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