A response template for review requests by Big Publishing.
Dear editors,
The manuscript sounds interesting and within my domain of knowledge. I would be happy to take a look at it and provide feedback, should the authors submit it to a publisher not run by Big Publishing (think Elsevier, Wiley, Taylor & Francis, Springer Nature…).
However, I am sad to say that I will not provide free reviewing work for <insert publisher> anymore and thus have to decline giving my thoughts on this manuscript in this venue. I cannot participate knowingly in the transfer of public funds to private profits evident in the insane profit margins of Big Publishing anymore.
If you feel so inclined, please let the authors know that I am also willing to provide feedback outside of a formal peer review context, should they want that. You may pass on my email address.
Also, if ever in the future, if you and your editorial team think about the future of your collective work, maybe give taking back the journal as a cooperative at least a minute of thought - the open source tooling to publish as a non-profit Diamond Open Access journal are well established and tested by now. We need action on all levels and to collectively organize to bring the academic publishing system into the 21st century and editorial teams have a huge role to play in this.
Sincerely,
Mario Angst