We recently had a disappointing experience with the journal Energy. After submitting a manuscript that required only minor revisions, we chose not to include a particular author initially, in order to expedite the review process. Knowing that many colleagues have successfully added authors at later stages, we didn't foresee any issues. However, after resubmitting the revised version with the additional author, the journal rejected our paper outright, without any prior communication or explanation from the editorial team.This decision, made solely on their judgment, felt unjust and unprofessional. We dedicated months to producing a high-quality piece of research, only to have our efforts dismissed in an instant. Furthermore, when we reached out to the editorial office for a clear explanation, they failed to provide a satisfactory response. This experience has left us questioning the professionalism of Elsevier's editorial practices and the transparency of their policies. We believe their management should reconsider such rigid policies that overlook the time and dedication researchers invest in their work.
