Recently, I had the honor of being invited to serve as a Guest Editor for a journal, and I couldn’t help but ponder the question of compensation. The current offer includes the opportunity to publish one paper free of charge within my own special issue and to receive a printed book as a token of appreciation. While these perks hold some appeal, it’s clear that they fall short of providing adequate motivation. In this day and age, it’s imperative that the scientific publishing industry reevaluates its profit-sharing model. When a Guest Editor dedicates their valuable time to curate a precise theme in line with their research interests, manage the decision-making process for submitted papers, and actively solicit contributions, it’s only fair that they receive financial compensation if the publishing house turns a profit. Furthermore, it’s time for publishing houses to shift their focus towards finding innovative ways to compensate not only Guest Editors but also contributing authors and reviewers. These individuals play pivotal roles in the research dissemination process, and their efforts should be acknowledged and rewarded financially to ensure a fair and sustainable ecosystem for scientific publishing.