Issn Print: 1049-2275

Publication Date: 2001/07/01


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A Tale of Two Journals

Mutaz B. Habal

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Excerpt

Once upon a time two journals were functioning independently, one on the east side of the Atlantic Ocean and the other on the west side of the Atlantic Ocean. The two journals were disseminating to their readers knowledge and information from all over the world. Both were high quality scientific journals. Independently, each one was seeking excellence in journalism and publishing. The manuscripts on both sides of the Atlantic were peer-reviewed and there was not room for solicitation in their line of work for scientific excellence.
Well, the time was ripped when a great facilitator born on one side of the Atlantic developed his professional growth on the other side, and felt that the time was ripped for the exchange. Particularly, since the mission was the same so that both journals could combine efforts and productivity for giving their readers a total encompassment of the wide scope of craniofacial surgery. The meeting happened and the editors-in-chief of the two journals had a meeting of the hearts. The smiles afterwards were so intense that they were similar to those their patients expressed after the fifth facelift.
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The rationale behind this meeting of the hearts is that the goals of both the editors is to give the best service to the readers and the authors who want their valuable original contributions recognized by the global community. This is just the beginning so we have to plan for the future. The obstacles are many—they are primarily business oriented rather than scientifically oriented. The two journals are under separate publishing houses and that will constitute a little more than just getting ideas on the drawing board.
So where do we go from here, and what is next? I was hoping by now that you the readers have recognized that the tale of the two journals is that of The Journal Of Craniofacial Surgery and the European Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery. The two editors who have had the meeting are myself and Dr. Karsten Gundlach. Both editorial boards have given their blessing. So now the preparation for the next step is on the way.
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To advance these ideas and move to act we will start with the exchange of the Table of Contents of each journal so each reader will be able to view what the other journal has. At the same time, we have exchanged ads between the two journals and will proceed to have exchange of editorial content.
This is a good beginning and we will be moving slowly, for you our reader will keep us informed of the progress or the lack of any. Our goals as always are to keep you happy and ecstatic so that you will be waiting for the issues to arrive at your doorstep anywhere around the world to see what is new and forthcoming so you can give your patients the best possible care.
We both will welcome any remarks, suggestions, or information at any time. We both answer our e-mail personally on a daily basis when we are in town. We hope to have more electronic correspondence and less paperwork, as we will be moving to an electronic proofing system very soon. We suggest that each author and member of the board send us the e-mail they prefer for future communication, as we will be waiting for comments and suggestions. Our dream is that the coordination will continue and that there will be one copy from Europe and one from North America in alternating months with a combined system of operation.
Wish us good luck—it is just the beginning.
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