Getting Published

[MRM]

I was wondering what everyone's experiences were when trying to get technical material published.

Here's the situation; I've completed a self-financed project involving writing a technical paper.

I submitted the paper as a technical note to ASTM geotechnical testing journal in May 2004. About 4 months later, I was delighted to get a response (rejecting it in its current form) along with some great comments to improve it. I did some more work and made the improvements along with some others I was able to think of. I resubmitted the revised paper in November 2004.

I received word from the GTJ secretary stating that it was again rejected and the comments are attached. This was not a surprise as I thought it would have to go through at least a few more iterations before it would be ready. The problem is this; even though the attached letter said that the revised paper was reviewed and that comments were attached, comments weren't attached. I contacted the secretary asking if the comments were available because it appeared they were left off. She responded a few days later stating only, "The revised paper was reviewed and rejected." No comments regarding the revised paper review were included.

A couple of questions,
1) Although I have never been one to give up when I hit some bumps in the road, is trying to get technical material published possible considering I'm unknown to the technical community? Should I wait until I'm a little better known, or after I get a PhD?
2) Does this sound like it is just an isolated incident of a secretary not wanting to go too far out of their way to give someone a simple answer to a reasonable question, or are most publications geared this way to an unknown individual?
3) Since I've finished my first paper, I've been working on a second for the last 8 months or so. I will admit that it has more substance than the first. When I go to try to publish the second, is there a particular publication that anyone could recommend? How about submitting it to a conference such as the U of Minn. geotechnical conference, for example. I would enjoy presenting it somewhere if it is worthy.

What say you? As always, thanks for your opinions.

 

[VAD]

MRM:

Just returned from my holidays. I join Big H and Sliderule era and all of our colleagues in extnding my sincere congratulations. Keep up the good work. At least we were correct in stating that the paper was merited for publication.