h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi, I'm looking for someone to help me......I'm new to this wonderful guide but I am 'techy' illiterate (though I aspire to be the 'Deep Blue' that Bill Gates has nightmares about) and I think I've ballsed up already. I've written an entry on Ring by Koji Suzuki. It isn't so much a review and it isn't so much a comparrison with the films, but a bit of both. Somehow, it has found its way onto the peer review, which I'm a little embarrased about. Can anyone have a look and help me stop looking like an amateur (I know I am, but I don't want other people to think that)?

Sure, I'll have a look.

It looks like you have some helpful people over in your Peer Review thread!

Do you have any questions about how Peer Review works, or what it's for?

Actually yes...How does peer review work and what is it for? Is this how the edited guides get chosen?

Peer Review is indeed where entries are chosen for the Edited Guide. Here's a basic run-down of the steps:

1) Someone (usually the author) submits an entry to Peer Review.

2) People read the entry, and respond with comments and suggestions about how to improve the entry -- bringing it more in line with the writing guidelines for the Edited Guide, fixing factual errors, expanding upon content, clarifying writing, making it more interesting, etc.

3) The author uses those comments to make the entry better. If there are individual comments the author chooses not to use, the author explains why there in the Peer Review thread.

4) Eventually, the entry reaches a point where those participating in the Peer Review thread believe that the entry is ready for the Edited Guide.

5) One of the scouts (a volunteer group here on h2g2) picks the entry - we each get so many picks per month.

6) Once the entry has been picked, one of the paid editors takes a look and makes sure that it really is ready to go - that it is appropriate for the Edited Guide, and that important issues from the Peer Review thread have been addressed. If so, the editor posts a message on the Peer Review thread letting everyone know that the entry has been picked.

7) The entry is assigned to a sub-editor, who takes care of the final spit and polish, making sure that everything -- grammar, formatting, style, etc. -- is in line with the guidelines for the Edited Guide.

8) The entry appears on the front page with a little blurb, and officially becomes an Edited Guide entry -- the author gets an email letting them know so that they don't miss their big day.

Does that help?


Mikey

Yes, Peer Review is for picking entries that go in the Edited Guide.

Some researchers who volenterily act as Scouts will pick entries from Peer Review that are up to the standard of the Edited Guide.These entries will appear on the front page and then into the Edited Guide.

Whilst an entry is in Peer Review other researchers will offer hints and tips on how it could be improved. Almost all entries are changed in Peer Review.

It does indeed Mickey, thanks for your help! I'm just touching up the piece I submitted now, on the advice of a few friendly people. I should be writing an end of semester essay on J.R.R.Tolkien...

Hello Z, thanks for your help! I've had some good advice from people already. This is superb, it is like having a massive writing group on your doorstep, I'm delighted to be surrounded by so many good writers!