Read on Twitter
FYI: peer review for scholarly books is not generally anonymized both ways. Part of what reviewers are asked to assess is the market for the proposed book. Your author platform—the capacity yr bk has to sell copies based on the fact that *you* wrote it—does factor into that
I’m not defending this system of peer review, but it’s helpful to understand this before submitting a proposal for review. Your name & bio will not be concealed from reviewers. You can use the bio in yr prospectus to make a case that you do have the platform to sell the book
This does not excuse reviewers from being jerks, and just because they haven’t heard of you doesn’t mean they should be assuming no one has or that no one would want to buy your book. (And remember that reviewers don’t make publication decisions. Their judgments are not gospel.)
If you are given the opportunity to respond to a review where the reviewer questions your platform, try not to be defensive. Just clearly state how you will be able to promote the book to readers who will be interested in your ideas. This post might help: https://manuscriptworks.substack.com/p/responding-to-reader-reports
