Comments on: People trust peer reviews

By: Top Picks Thursday! For writers & readers 03-15-2018 | The Author Chronicles

Thu, 15 Mar 2018 05:04:09 +0000

[…] Promoting your book is often a whole new world for authors. Sarah Wigel shares book publicity FAQs, Joan Stewart breaks down 9 types of pitches to use when promoting your book, and Sandra Beckwith reminds us that people trust peer reviews. […]

By: Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 20:14:47 +0000

In reply to Ivankaiser.

Ivan, you’re referring to “peer-reviewed” in terms of academic or medical journals, whereas the study referenced here uses “peer” for “consumer.” Different topics.

Sandy

By: Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 20:12:55 +0000

In reply to Patricia Annalee Kirk.

Patricia, I wouldn’t worry about that at all. As readers who pay attention to reviews, we’re looking for patterns, meaning, if all of your reviews looked like this, we’d wonder. I’m sure that’s not the case for you. It’s a wonderful review — enjoy it with no worries!

Sandy

By: Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 20:11:06 +0000

In reply to Tracy Campbell. So glad to hear it! You're welcome, Tracy. Sandy

By: Ivankaiser

Ivankaiser — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 20:01:22 +0000

“Of course, as soon as it’s published in NEJM it becomes *peer reviewed fact* that can support political arguments. Well, if you look carefully, you will see that this was published in the Correspondence section. It is a letter to the editor, not an article. And the NEJM does *not* peer review letters. Letter selections are made by the editors. Now, it is possible that the material in the letter and the Appendix were first submitted in article form, and perhaps the response either by an associate editor, or after a round of peer review was “we won”t publish this as an article, but would reconsider it if submitted as a letter. So it may have undergone some peer review in that way, but if so, it was rejected after peer review. I think that even relatively naive journalists understand that letters are different from articles and do not carry the same imprimatur as article publication, even in a very prestigious journal. To be clear, I”m not saying that this would deserve greater credibility if it had undergone peer review. I”m just pointing out that it very well may not have, and if it did, it was shot down. And I doubt that the media and press will treat this as if it were a NEJM _article_.

By: Patricia Annalee Kirk

Patricia Annalee Kirk — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 12:07:29 +0000

Thank you for the advice. A reader recently gave me a wonderful review with a four rating. I read later that it fits the pattern of a review the writer buys. I’ve never bought a review and now I can’t even enjoy my review. “Beautifully written. I recommend it.” That’s the whole review. And no one else will believe I didn’t buy it. So I’m thankful for the four rating. They usually give fives.

You can’t win.

By: Tracy Campbell

Tracy Campbell — Sat, 10 Mar 2018 18:02:25 +0000

You’ve enlightened me again.
Thank you, Sandra.

By: Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 17:45:50 +0000

In reply to Yvonne Hertzberger.

Yvonne, I know! It’s so validating when a stranger says, “I really enjoyed this,” or whatever. That feeling alone is an excellent incentive for reaching beyond a personal network. Thank you for mentioning it.

Sandy

By: Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 17:43:45 +0000

In reply to Kathy Steinemann. That review request at the end of your book is definitely a best practice, Kathy, so you're smart to do it. I hope it helps. I love how Kindle prompts me to review the book as soon as I hit the end! Sandy

By: Yvonne Hertzberger

Yvonne Hertzberger — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 17:07:51 +0000

I agree. While I am pleased that a couple of friends chose to write a review I am more pleased that the vast majority of mine are from readers I have never met.