We recently learned that an open-access publisher will publish submitted papers in one of its journals and include a “Best Paper Award” to authors for an additional fee.
The publisher’ journals, both already on my list, are these:
- Case Studies Journals [sic] (it’s really a single journal)
- International Journal of Bio
The publisher loosely refers to itself by several names including Maria Publications in Hamilton, Ontario Eatonia, Saskatchewan, Zoom Webs in Grandville, Michigan, and ST Informatics, no location given.
Standard corruption, or deluxe?
The publisher also offers a resume writing service and will even add an author to the journal’s editorial board if he or she opts for the “deluxe package,” which costs $300.
This is a true vanity press masquerading as a scholarly publisher. The best paper award offer does not appear on the publisher’s website, but it is mentioned in the spam email they send out:
From: “Dr.John keets” <marketing@zoomwebs.org>
To: [redacted]
Sent: Friday, September 6, 2013 2:45:03 AM
Subject: Perfect Offer for Author’sDear Author/Author’s
[redacted]
We are very happy to read your Research
[redacted]
ST Informatics now first time launching a great service for Author’s. We are operating many journals and other printing press for Author’s. Here we are offering a combo and complete package for all Author’s including Online Resume Creation. Here are details given. http://www.zoomwebs.org
Standard Package 200$
- Online Professional Resume Creations.
- Two Paper’s Published Within this cost.
- “Publication Letter”, “Review Copy” and “Best Paper Award” also provided.
- Free Domain Name .net .com and .org
Standard Package 300$
- Online Professional Resume Creations.
- Two Paper’s Published Within this cost.
- “Publication Letter”,“Review Copy” and “Best Paper Award” also provided.
- Free Domain Name .net .com and .org
- Printed Copy Also shipped free in this cost.
We will publish your papers in given journals having top indexing. http://www.casestudiesjournal.com
http://www.ijobio.com
For Further inquiry please contact with Our Head of Department.Dr.Larry at marketing@zoomwebs.org .Best Of Luck
Dr. Larry James
marketing@zoomwebs.org
The spam email is full of mistakes and is sent by one person (John Keets) and signed by another (Larry James). Both names are surely fake. Based on this, it appears that all positions on these journals’ editorial boards are bought and paid for, as are any best paper awards.
So for one price, authors can get two papers published, have their names added to a scholarly journal editorial board, and win the best paper award for each paper. And because the journals are open access, the whole world will be able to “benefit” from the authors’ scholarship.
Appendix: PDF version of the above spam email.
