05-06-2008, 05:51 AM
Interesting. I did know that publishers send books out to be reviewed, but my impression has been that this was more of a marketing tool, and less a way to check content.
My view into the publishing world has been limited to a marketing perspective: book covers, ads, catalogs, etc. I thought the purpose of these reviews was to get a nice quote to put on the back cover and catalog—to sell more books. I have even had some editors complain that some of these reviewers don't even read the book—they're just saying nice things about their friend, the author!
So, I knew publishers typically don't employ a staff member that reviews content in-house. But, I hadn't considered the full purpose of the peer review process. I suppose my contacts aren't in-the-know about this process. I wouldn't expect the art director to know exactly what the editors are doing!
To bring this all back to Osprey: do they use this peer review process? Of course, the academically rigorous authors, Cowan, Campbell, Rankov, and Sumner wouldn't need any help from Osprey!
My view into the publishing world has been limited to a marketing perspective: book covers, ads, catalogs, etc. I thought the purpose of these reviews was to get a nice quote to put on the back cover and catalog—to sell more books. I have even had some editors complain that some of these reviewers don't even read the book—they're just saying nice things about their friend, the author!
So, I knew publishers typically don't employ a staff member that reviews content in-house. But, I hadn't considered the full purpose of the peer review process. I suppose my contacts aren't in-the-know about this process. I wouldn't expect the art director to know exactly what the editors are doing!
To bring this all back to Osprey: do they use this peer review process? Of course, the academically rigorous authors, Cowan, Campbell, Rankov, and Sumner wouldn't need any help from Osprey!
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