Julie Broad (Book Launchers) explains why nonfiction authors should use fact checkers to ensure accuracy, credibility, and protect against liability. She describes what fact checkers do: verify claims line-by-line, prefer primary sources over secondary (no Wikipedia), confirm citations, and supply formatted notes; she illustrates with a health example (caffeine’s diuretic effect does not equal dehydration). The video is both educational and promotional (offering fact-checking as an optional service and encouraging engagement).
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In a world quick to throw around fake news, it's important to make sure you have facts and sources behind any claims you make. It's why one of the people we've added to our team at Book Launchers is a fact checker. Are you wondering what a fact checker does and whether you need one for your nonfiction book? Great. This video is for you. Hey there. I'm Julie, the book broad from Book Launchers. We're your professional self publishing team helping you write, publish and promote a nonfiction book that will help you have a huge, huge impact on your readers. And done right will help you grow your brand, build your business, and make you money. The best part, you keep all rights and royalties. Authors, we have a responsibility. Your book could be quoted. In the future, people may be using your work as a reference for their work for years and years to come. Your book could be quoted over and over. So wouldn't it be embarrassing and potentially liability creating to discover that something you put in your book was wrong? And these days, omg. When people in the news flat out lie to the world to serve an agenda, our responsibility as authors, thought leaders, influencers, is to get the facts right. So don't be part of the problem. Get your facts. And if you're like me and details aren't your thing or you're just crazy busy, call in a professional. So let's say you're writing a health book and you're talking about the importance of staying hydrated and you say caffeine dehydrates you. A fact checker is going to look at that sentence and go, does it? Where's the proof? And then they're going to do some research and they'll come up with the fact that caffeinated drinks do have a slight diuretic effect. But that doesn't mean a coffee drinker will be dehydrated versus a non coffee drinker. You should meet my dad. He. I don't even think he thinks water exists except to pour into the coffee pot to make coffee. I am quite certain his body could use a glass or two of water despite his avoidance. But coffee is hydrating him just fine. So your fact checker will save you from making that mistake. For our authors with a lot of research or even a lot of things stated as fact that may not be, we send them to a fact checker whose sole job is to, number one, review the quality of research that's already there and ensure it's properly cited. Number two, to make sure that everything that needs to be verified is verified. And three when research is lacking, find a source or a better source for the material. For example, no Wikipedia, Finding the primary source and not secondary sources. Whoa, that may have raised your eyebrows. Primary source versus secondary source, huh? Well, primary sources are the original source of information, interview transcripts, statistical data, the research first hand account of someone who is actually there or involved. Secondary sources are based on that primary source usually, but they have commentary or other material or interpretations included. This is what you find in journals and articles, reviews and books. All of this information from the fact checker is properly formatted and tidied into footnotes and endnotes for your peace of mind and easy reference should anyone question the authenticity of your claims. So how does a fact checker do this? Well, I can't speak for every fact checker, but in general a fact checker is going to go line by line and look for claims or statements of fact that you've made. They will assume it's wrong until they can prove it's true. Okay, maybe not. But a good fact checker is going to question assumptions and ask who said it? How do they know what was their expertise related to that claim? Can this claim be corroborated by a trustworthy source? And then they're always going to be saying if you haven't done it already, can we find a primary source? Or is that source that is cited? Good, they'll go back to the top and just keep repeating that cycle. We all have something called confirmation bias and can find ourselves not questioning things that might not be true. Confirmation bias is when you see or interpret something according to your belief. Because of this, it's a really good idea to bring in fact checkers for your book. If you have a lot of research state a lot of things like their facts when they might not be, and you've also said a lot of things that aren't fully verified. This is an optional part of our process at Book Launchers, but more and more authors are opting to have their book fact checked and the fight against fake news thanks them. Hey, I'm curious, what's your favorite fact that isn't really a fact? You know, like coffee dehydrates, you go ahead and post your favorite fact that's not a fact in the comments below or ask another question. And when you comment the day a video is released, you'll be entered to win some sweet book launcher swag like our oh so soft journal and this noboringbooks mug where coffee, tea and hot chocolate are all proven to taste better. It's a fact. And make sure you subscribe to the channel and turn the notifications on so you know when new videos are released. Every Tuesday and Friday. That way you can be first to comment and get in the draw for this fabulous swag. You're pretty darn fun to hang out with. Would you like to hang out some more? Oh, me too. Okay. Have you seen this video on how to become a best selling author? I blast through some myths and share facts there. Or maybe you want to see this video on how to start writing a nonfiction book. Both are pretty good videos if I say so myself. And I can't wait to hang out with you over there.
