In our July "how can we help you?" thread, a reader writes:
Do you have any advice or do readers have any advice about how to select referees or readers for a book manuscript when initially submitting it for peer review? Should everyone I suggest be an expert in the particular thinker that the book is about?
I'll be curious to hear what readers think. I've published two books, and when I put my book proposals together (which normally ask for a short list of suggested reviewers), I don't think I gave this very much thought. To the best of my recollection, I just suggested referees who (A) specialize in the book's areas, and who (B) I thought would probably be receptive to the book's project given their research interests. The only thing I guess I would advise is to not suggest your friends. I think it's fine if you suggest a person who you've met at a conference here or there who has been receptive to your work, but suggesting someone simply because they're your friend (and so, potentially inclined to give a good review for personal reasons) seems unethical to me.
But these are just my thoughts. What are yours?
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