Is It a Common Practice to Contact the Reviewers? I am about to submit my article in a peer reviewed journal which requires the contacts of three potential reviewers of my work. I can think of a few names whose works I have cited in the paper (who, I think will be the best judge). Is it polite to contact them via email to check their availability (of course everybody is under time constraints) before I put their names in the journal website? I am concerned that it can be regarded as a conflict of interest or an attempt to bias their opinions. What should I do?
My strong advice is a clear NO! 

There are several reasons:


The journal might contact other reviewers, not the ones you suggested.
Possible conflict of interest, even if you don't send your paper with the review request
The reviewing process is a business between the editor and the reviewer. It is specially designed to enhance the quality of the accepted papers (Blind, double blind reviews, etc). Once you contact the reviewers, any chance of a blind review goes up in smoke.
If the potential reviewer that you contact, is not selected by the journal he/she might feel offended.


So, in a word:

 NO