Tips for suggesting referees for a book?

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?

Comments

[bookie]

You should suggest experts in the field, and you should pick both North American and European based scholars. Absolutely avoid conflicts of interest - like recommending your thesis supervisor. You will look like an ass when they find out that you have done this. And, in all likelihood, the Press will only take ONE from your list, and then find the other person themselves. It is imperative that all the people you list are experts. If they are not, it looks like you do not know the area. If your send your manuscript to a top press, you know who they are, then you should list top people. If you send it to a lower ranked press, then you can go lower with your list. In fact, lower ranked presses often have a hard time getting reviewers to look at manuscripts or proposals. Keep in mind, the compensation for reviewing a book manuscript or proposal is usually $100-$300 or twice that in books. Think of your typical low ranked publisher - who wants $300 of their books.