I have circulated my draft paper to my co-authors and having given them over a month to come back with comments, the deadline has passed and I have not heard back from some. I have sent a few reminders, but how long is it reasonable to wait for comments? I really want to submit this paper asap, but obviously I also want all the co-authors to be happy with what's being submitted.
What are your experiences, any good tips on how to get people to respond? What to do if they dont?

Dear Poppy

this is very frustrating. Fortunately I have quick reviewers and am happy regarding this. In your case I would phone them and politely ask for the feedback. If they are happy with the paper then that is fine, if they still want to have a look at it, agree a dead line and phone again if you have not heard anything when that has passed.:-)

Thanks Rick. I will try phoning them and see whether that will work.

write one last email along the lines of .. "as i haven't heard back from you, i assume you are satisfied with the draft. i will submit the paper next week"

that gives them one last chance. it is ridiculous to come again and again to beg for comments - i have the same problem, now i just submit after a certain period of time, without sending numerous reminders.

Hi Poppy, monkey,

I see the point of view of monkey, however in my opinion it is important to keep your co-authors on board. Obviously depends a bit on their position in the organisation. If one of them is the professor I think it would be wise to have the "all clear" before sending the paper for submission. Afterall the name of your co-authers will be on it and as such, in my opinion, must be happy with it before it is sent!
:-)

Thanks for your replies. I have phoned and emailed the co-athors with some success, and one of the co-authors is indeed a prof, and he's very busy, so I have had problems getting in contact with him. As I want to publish more work with the same people in the future, I figured that it is indeed important to have them all on board now and not upset them, so I am going to wait until I get a response from them all. My strategy is to send a weekly email and phone intermittently, too, to keep the paper on top of their priority list?! I hope that'll work.
Anyone with responsive co-authors, count yourself lucky!