Journal of Supermassive Astronomy and Astrophysics:Submission Results
The peer review committee from one of the most prestigious, if admittedly niche, journals publishing work on large-scale astronomical objects and phenomena had completed its evaluation of her sole-author research paper—and on the same day that the editors fromGalactica Magazinehad also made their decision.
Oh, God.
Pressing her tongue against a slight gap between her front teeth and crossing her fingers and toes for luck—she would’ve crossed her eyes, too, if it wouldn’t have impacted her ability to read the committee’s decision—she swallowed, exhaled through her excitement atGalactica’s acceptance, and opened her second set of results.
Dear Dr. Erin Monaghan,
Thank you for submitting “Investigating the Impact of Tidal Disruption Events on the Axis Rotation of Galaxies Proximal to Black Holes” to theJournal of Supermassive Astronomy and Astrophysics. Following a process of peer review, your manuscript has been recommended to the journal’s editors for publication in its current form. No revisions are required prior to the appearance of the paper in the journal’s September issue.
We remind you at this time of the journal’s copyright and open-access policies, and request your signed author agreement by June 1st.
Regards,
Dr. Ronald Sams, Editor-in-Chief
Her paper was the result of years of experimental lab time and data analysis, assessing and describing the behavior of galaxies when nearby stars were consumed by black holes. It was the first sole-author piece she’d submitted for publication, and it had been accepted without even requiring revisions!
That wasn’t unheard of. But it was rare.
Almost breathless now with too much good news, she clicked back into the Monaghan family chat.
Erin
So, it’s a big day for me.
Galactica accepted Pandora Rising…
Erin
…and the Journal of Supermassive Astronomy and Astrophysics accepted my research paper! Next up: take down quantum theory and definitively prove the superiority of relativistic mechanics.
Typing notifications immediately bubbled across her screen; early morning on the West Coast was post-caffeine time for her family in Michigan and New York.
Mom
I’m so proud of you, sweetheart. I can never quite get my head around these competing theories, but it sounds very impressive.
Wes
That’s your scientific paper with an unpronounceable title about tides, right? You didn’t consult my professional expertise before you wrote it. I’m hurt.
She snorted, smiling, bouncing on the balls of her feet.
Erin
Only because you would’ve tried to shoehorn in a joke about starfish.
Wes
It would’ve been hilarious.
Erin
Scientists famously have no sense of humor.
Wes
