Is being an "expert" enough?

Rotatores · Sep 4, 2008

I'm so confused! After reading several agent blogs about nonfiction I've become less confident about sending a proprosal. What is an expert? I've been writing about a topic about the care of newborns (for parents of course). Does the fact that I'm a pediatrician make me an "expert"...or do I need to be a well established public figure! I'm sure it would help but would it be required? I've had several publications in medical journals...does that mean anything? Thanks.

Rotatores

Shadow_Ferret · Sep 4, 2008

Expert is a misnomer. Anyone who knows enough about something to write an article can be deemed an "expert."

If you went to school on something, you can consider yourself an expert.

Since you are a degreed pediatrician then you are considered an Expert. Since you're writing a book on child care, that fact, that you've taken the time to write and research the topic, makes you even more of an Expert.

veinglory · Sep 4, 2008

You have a relevant expertise and so are well-positioned to give good advice, and that might be the way to say it. 'Expert' is coming to mean 'pundit' or 'minor celeb', it seems--and the ability to give good advice sometimes seems to get lost in the shuffle.

Rotatores · Sep 4, 2008

veinglory said:
You have a relevant expertise and so are well-positioned to give good advice, and that might be the way to say it. 'Expert' is coming to mean 'pundit' or 'minor celeb', it seems--and the ability to give good advice sometimes seems to get lost in the shuffle.

I couldn't agree with you more! Just look at the success of Jenny McCarthy on autism!

June Casagrande · Sep 4, 2008

Yes, I believe your profession qualifies you as an expert. However, "expert" status is just half of what's called "platform."

Platform means both "what're your qualifications to talk about this" AND "do you have an established readership in this subject area?" That means a newsletter, a blog, regular public talks, a newspaper column, etc.

So, yes, you're an expert. But, think about it: If you were a publisher, would you consider medical-journal readers a great wellspring for book sales? I doubt it.

MAKE yourself a public expert. That usually means starting a blog/website. But can include many other ways earning public recognition in your field.

I've said it here before and I'll say it again: Books are sold in three-month cycles. After a book comes out, it really only has three months to strike gold or flop. (There are exceptions, but this is how the industry thinks, so it's how you should think.) So you can't wait for bookstore positioning and publisher activities to bring readers to you. You need to bring your readers/followers to the publisher.

Did I explain that okay?

Rotatores · Sep 4, 2008

June Casagrande said:
Yes, I believe your profession qualifies you as an expert. However, "expert" status is just half of what's called "platform."

Platform means both "what're your qualifications to talk about this" AND "do you have an established readership in this subject area?" That means a newsletter, a blog, regular public talks, a newspaper column, etc.

So, yes, you're an expert. But, think about it: If you were a publisher, would you consider medical-journal readers a great wellspring for book sales? I doubt it.

MAKE yourself a public expert. That usually means starting a blog/website. But can include many other ways earning public recognition in your field.

I've said it here before and I'll say it again: Books are sold in three-month cycles. After a book comes out, it really only has three months to strike gold or flop. (There are exceptions, but this is how the industry thinks, so it's how you should think.) So you can't wait for bookstore positioning and publisher activities to bring readers to you. You need to bring your readers/followers to the publisher.

Did I explain that okay?

Wow! Thank you! I appreciate your time! I agree...I definitely do need to work more on my platform!

June Casagrande · Sep 4, 2008

My pleasure!

I'm currently grappling with this issue myself. I have an idea for a nonfiction book outside of my area of "expertise" (grammar/language), but don't have the street cred to sell it. Trying to consider whether I should build platform in that arena or just walk away ... Time will tell!

Rotatores · Sep 4, 2008

June Casagrande said:
My pleasure!

I'm currently grappling with this issue myself. I have an idea for a nonfiction book outside of my area of "expertise" (grammar/language), but don't have the street cred to sell it. Trying to consider whether I should build platform in that arena or just walk away ... Time will tell!

Years ago I had a rather good following on a blog as I progressed through medical school. I think it's time I start up again (of course...this time not about medical school)!

ColoradoGuy · Sep 4, 2008

I'm a pediatrician and I wrote my first book with little more platform than you've got. The prescriptive child-care market is pretty tight, though. You'll need some new twist.

Rotatores · Sep 4, 2008

ColoradoGuy said:
I'm a pediatrician and I wrote my first book with little more platform than you've got. The prescriptive child-care market is pretty tight, though. You'll need some new twist.

You're absolutely right! It seems like every famous mom or provider has a book out there about early child development or care! Most of the "big" ideas not taken have little or no market! Any ideas..lol?

scope · Sep 4, 2008

Although I think you are an expert, I agree with all that June said.

June Casagrande · Sep 4, 2008

Rotatores said:
Most of the "big" ideas not taken have little or no market! Any ideas..lol?

The only "idea" I know of in these situations is to think reader value. Don't think sales value. Don't lose that writer/scientist focus of "I have an idea/some information people will find helpful." That's where the million-dollar ideas come from -- truly seeking to provide needed information.

(I know you were kidding! But when we're focused on getting agents/publishers/readers to "want" us, it's easy to lose sight of who we are and what we have to offer. So I guess I'm addressing this to myself more than anyone else.)

cpickett · Sep 6, 2008

I just wanted to pop in and say there's some excellent advice here so far.

Also, June, something else you might want to consider if you want to pursue that new topic, do you have the time to juggle more than one area?

I've seen independently published authors do it successfully, one I know you're familiar with because I first saw your name in her newsletter-Carolyn Howard Johnson. Another would be Patricia Fry.

For what it's worth.

platinumscript · Sep 6, 2008

platform---- great for how-to-books. my thoughts are that 'platform' is crud. where were platforms twenty-thirty even ten years ago. platform is just a 'cover their a.. excuse for untalented editors. if the writer has 'platform' the editor can point at that aspect and claim that despite the poorly received book being poorly written, the risks were inherently reasonable because the author talks at a ton of conferences and pitches his books at those events so it was worth the risk. whatever happened to 'talent'. you-who, oh editor... read the manuscript. if the writing is sub-par-dont publish it. every time you do, you do the art of literature a disservice. i for one am not going to put my energies into constructing a platform, then spend the advance on promoting/advertising my own book. it stands or falls on its own. if i write good enough, an editor, somewhere will appreciate that and tell the board-- this guy has zero platform but writes his ass off. the blog world is powerful. join the revolt against 'platform' the king has no clothes. just say that. it's true. think of all those no talent big names getting books published. dr. phil couldn't write his way out of study hall. his wife? what qualifies her to write a book? her wifely duties to phil? see the ridiculous nature of publishing by platform? Bill O'Reilly? give me a break. phil is a great tv host... bill is awesome in his tv field, but books. stop it. they probably contributed ten pages in actuality. the writers are the 'writing community'. when they somewhere along the line capitulated to this farce called platform, all that did was dilute the quality on the shelves. The bums masquerading as authors are really counterfeit. they should be ashamed of themselves, but aren't. unmask these frauds, then you who are truly talented will get published or get a fair chance. if not... you are doomed to be rejected for 'lack of platform'. The 'platformers' will hate this--- the true writers will embrace.

Lauri B · Sep 7, 2008

Platinum,
If you plan to support your book by contacting bloggers, then you do have a platform of sorts. A platform is just a term for how you intend to support your book--and you really should help to do so, or at least be open to supporting the publisher's marketing efforts. You might sign with a publisher who considers your book a "big book," in which case the publisher will put a lot of resources behind promoting and marketing it. But if your book is just mid list, or you sign with a smaller publisher that doesn't have the marketing resources to really push it, you'd be smart to help yourself by having some idea about how to get the word out.

It's fine to say you're above all that, but most publishers expect some input about why your book is different, why it fills a niche that others don't, and why someone should pick up yours instead of someone else's. If the book tanks, you won't be getting any more contracts from that particular publisher. It's just business for them. And in the end, publishers are in the business to make money. Writers who get published are also in it to make money.

JosephR · Sep 7, 2008

Rotatores, as a professional and an expert in my field, here are some of the things I've been told by agents. Good writing is important but not always the most important factor because publishers have editors who can improve the writing. Having a strong platform is more important because it directly affects sales, and publishers want books that sell. Consider the books by celebrities that sell well but are filled with terribly boring and insignificant content. I've also been told that having a different angle will help with nonfiction, and that makes sense to a point, but it's still puzzling in light of the number of books on ADHD, autism/Aspergers, dieting, and other hot-topic areas which, though good, all seem to be very similar. I actually had one agent tell me that an author's professional experience is by far the least important reason for publishers to accept a nonfiction manuscript; another more seasoned agent scoffed at that. So, I agree, it's all rather confusing. There's no standard equation that agents/publishers use; instead, it's highly subjective. You'll hear things like, "I just don't feel connected to it," or "It's good and well-written, but it needs a national voice," or a simple, "I'll pass." The single most important factor to getting published seems to be persistence. Good luck.

scope · Sep 7, 2008

Lauri B,

You said it so well, and so nicely. I ditto all you said.

JosephR,

Persistence helps, but objectively I don't think it's the most important factor. IMO publishers want books that will sell and make a profit--they can't exist unless this occurs. Give them a well written book, a large needy audience, help them with promotion, and they'll be delighted.

platinumscript · Sep 7, 2008

Lauri b--- i agree helping with the promotion is a given. my take was that --before-- we get to that point-- a contract- i just can't get behind 'constructing' a platform. a well-crafted proposal will quite naturally be required to touch upon promotion. more than touch-upon, but rather some compelling ideas. that could range from university book signings to casino sports book signings, contacting radio program directors in various regions/nationally etc. that's all well and good. i'm not 'above' all that. i mrely am not of a mind to direct energies on such things --before-- the fact. i'd much rather write and let the talent rise/fall as it stands on it's own. as far as most publishers wanting to know why book is different, what niche it fills, and why someone would pick my book up as opposed to another--- that's all covered my good laurieb in the overview section of the proposal and has no bearing on the issue of which we spoke of--platform-- i understand pubs are in the biz to make $-- but as titles dwindle and contracts shrink... it is us --the writers--who will suffer the most, for we are --as you say-- in it for the $--- but i most assuredly believe that we are also in it for the love of the art. the publishers can't make the same claim and so you see my point is that unless we protest--with the means at our disposal... blogs.. forums.. dialogue--- we'll get what we deserve. the diluted remnants of literary 'business' writing as opposed to literary talented writing. the bums that can't write but are 'experts' i their fields should stay in those fields. given a choice... you're on a deserted island. you have a choice of having as reading material dr. so-and-so' series on 'the the bi-polar ear-twitching of midgets' or a series of hollywood celebrity tell-alls. You tell me which one you would rather be 'stuck' with. taken a step further. dr phil's 'why robin left my cheating fat/bald self as i started believing my own press clippins' or 'gone with the wind'.. or even harry potter? no talent 'platform' authors are the lowest life-forms on the planet... and they're killing 'real' writer's chances and right to be published. our children dserve a literary legacy... not a 'fad'. i repeat. The king has no clothes, and i aint buying a pair of pants made out of air... even if it gets me published. some things i just wont do and that's one of em.

scope · Sep 8, 2008

platinumscript,

Needless to say, you have every right to do as you think best, which I take to be that you will not succumb to writing a platform which truly details the ways you will help a publisher promote your work. That's all well and good--for you--but if such a platform is expected (and wanted) by a publisher and/or agent, it's a good bet that the writer won't get published--especially if asked same by these sources and the reply is negative or just BS.

It seems pretty simple to me. Revolt? Why? What's in it for anyone? And what would make your "revolt" successful? You say that we as writer's and "they" as publishers are all in it to make money, and I agree. Unfortunately for us, they are the ones who put up huge chunks of money, with no guarantees, when they decide to publish our books. We put in the sweat and blood required to create the material. We all have our own cross to bear. Fortunately, for them, there are millions of people who write and want to get published. We as writer's only have a finite number of publishers that we can submit to.

platinumscript · Sep 9, 2008

JosephR said:
Rotatores, as a professional and an expert in my field, here are some of the things I've been told by agents. Good writing is important but not always the most important factor because publishers have editors who can improve the writing. Having a strong platform is more important because it directly affects sales, and publishers want books that sell. Consider the books by celebrities that sell well but are filled with terribly boring and insignificant content. I've also been told that having a different angle will help with nonfiction, and that makes sense to a point, but it's still puzzling in light of the number of books on ADHD, autism/Aspergers, dieting, and other hot-topic areas which, though good, all seem to be very similar. I actually had one agent tell me that an author's professional experience is by far the least important reason for publishers to accept a nonfiction manuscript; another more seasoned agent scoffed at that. So, I agree, it's all rather confusing. There's no standard equation that agents/publishers use; instead, it's highly subjective. You'll hear things like, "I just don't feel connected to it," or "It's good and well-written, but it needs a national voice," or a simple, "I'll pass." The single most important factor to getting published seems to be persistence. Good luck.

i can't believe my eyes. but i should. that's how arrogant these 'platform authors' have become. and the 'real' writers nod their heads approvingly as the art--and it is art, make no mistake-- is disrespected right in front of you. my gosh, man/woman---blink... pinch yourself... smell the coffee. someone explain, if you can, how a 'writer' can write this (above quoted) and get the zombie-nod and seal of approval: 'good writing ... is not always the most important factor...' wow. how can writing not be the absolute most important thing ever in literary circles? think about that for a second. 'having a strong platform is more important' double/triple wows. 'because pubs have editors who can improve your writing'. and the feedback this wild post gets: hmmm, ah yes. terrific. well said. i agree. kiss kiss. kipling, ernest H. and even charles shultz are spinning in their graves on this one. if the editor writes it for you, it's not your work. plagiarism anyone? read this carefully. the king has no clothes. where was platform ten years ago? it's a misdirection by untalented editors to save their jobs 'cause they can't identify good writing, or are afraid to because the 'demographics' don't faor the piece. i love good/great writing regardless of a person's platform or laack thereof. have some pride in your chosen endeavor of literay expression. it is a merit system that got,let's hope temporarily, bushwhacked by econmics. i for one certainly don'y want to read books written by 'editors' that rescue those who can't write for themselves. any such person as above described can not, by definition be called by the noble title... author. no offense meant to anyone, but tis is called 'writer's absolute, is it not? ---blake

Lauri B · Sep 9, 2008

Platinum, seriously, get real. Platforms have been around since publishing began--it's just that people haven't been using the word "platform" until fairly recently. All of the writers you mention: Ernest Hemingway, Rudyard Kipling, and Charles Schulz all had ways and means to help promote their books (we really should stick to nonfiction, by the way--I know both Kipling and Hemingway also wrote nonfiction, but are you referring to their nonfiction here?)

If you have questions about writing nonfiction, publishing nonfiction, or about nonfiction in general, please post them here. If you want to have a conversation about the nature of art vs commercialism in writing, try the Roundtable. But you're hijacking a thread about a subject that a lot of people are interested in to talk about something else. So if you don't have anything constructive to add to this thread regarding your experience being an expert on something and writing a book about it, could you take it somewhere else, please?

platinumscript · Sep 9, 2008

scope said:
platinumscript,

Needless to say, you have every right to do as you think best, which I take to be that you will not succumb to writing a platform which truly details the ways you will help a publisher promote your work. That's all well and good--for you--but if such a platform is expected (and wanted) by a publisher and/or agent, it's a good bet that the writer won't get published--especially if asked same by these sources and the reply is negative or just BS.

It seems pretty simple to me. Revolt? Why? What's in it for anyone? And what would make your "revolt" successful? You say that we as writer's and "they" as publishers are all in it to make money, and I agree. Unfortunately for us, they are the ones who put up huge chunks of money, with no guarantees, when they decide to publish our books. We put in the sweat and blood required to create the material. We all have our own cross to bear. Fortunately, for them, there are millions of people who write and want to get published. We as writer's only have a finite number of publishers that we can submit to.

Scope--- I'll break it down for you elementally my dear Scopson.read my posts carefully. as you say 'it seems pretty simple to me'. I never said i would 'not write a platform that truly details the way I will help a publisher promote my work' that's ridiculous. in fact i went to considerable trouble to point out--in my post to laurieb-- that a well-crafted proposal would indeed entail aspects such as appearances, contacting media etc. that my dear friend would of course be apropos for the promotion component of the proposal. it is in fact a requisite component, as surely as an overview or chapter outline. proposals 101. ok? so regarding a 'negative or bs' answer to agent/publisher requesting platform... i have no idea where you got that from. must have mixed up your posts. look closely grasshoper and you will see that i merely stated that i would not 'construct' a platform before i had a contract. Oh, i'll play their retarded game, IF they got a contract for me, FIRST. i stated i would rather write than forge a fake, useless site. if i had a contract i'd be yes sir/maam 'sure i got a site all ready to go, media kit, thread/blog... whatever ya want mr/mrs pub. but you know what? do you seriously believe that by tossing up a website and grabbing a 2 dollar domain name and blabbing on a thread, that you will have magically created a 'platform'? tsk tsk very childish and naive. as for your 'revolt? Whats in it for me?' scope... why revolt? 'cause it aint happenin for you or most anyone else on this site. howsabout them apples for starters. and what's in your way is traffic. thin out the traffic and your % rate for success rises. as you said. its really quite simple. the traffic, in this case, is untalented--literary speaking--'platform authors'. they are keeping you from your dream and severely dilluting the literary arts. when you get these cats posting 'good writing is not important' on a writers site--and-- not only not getting called to task for that cardinal sin, b ut kow-towed to and bowed to--- yeah. it's time to revolt if you want to be able to look yourelf in the mirror or look into your child's eyes without shame. lastly--as you so aptly put it..we are millions who write. yes, but just because the writer has the soul of a writer he/she may not have the talent. same as kids love baseball doesn't mean they ca play in the majors. my point is the creme should be what rises to the top, not the waste-product. agreed? what happened was somewhere along the line editors got tired of getting fired/brutalized by their bosses and cobbled a shield. thus was born the 'platform'. yeah boss. strong platform, can't fire me. what's unsaid is 'horrible writing, never shoulda got a contract in the first place, but you 'bosses' bought our platform excuse and now we got a heckuva lot of 'platform' on the shelves and a heckuva lot less great writing'. and guess what great writing will win out in the end. why? 'cause' the readers will demand it or they will turn to other avenues to get it. blogs? what's the pay for those? get it? that's why markets are shrinking. if they shrink anymore the pubs will say hey, ya know the king has no clothes... that's what the 'writing community' has been loobying and blogging and insisting... and revolting about. and they were right. platforms can't write. thay were never witers to begin with, does a job title make em one now? you'd be surprised what a groundswell of contrary opinion can do over time. and remember, real writers are smart people. and smart people hang out with other smart people and talk to each other. a good idea spreads and makes it's way to publisher's ears. and their board's ears. and one day they say hey... we're tired of slipping market shares... you editors told us 'platform' would reduce the slide. well it hasn't. anyone for curling up with agood book for a change? and that my friend is how revolt works and how change is accomplished. or---- continue to get those rejction slips that you seem to love so much... and keep fawning over 'platformers' that are taking food out of your mouth and stimulation out of your children's brains. see. it really is, as you say, quite simple . blake

platinumscript · Sep 9, 2008

Lauri B said:
Platinum, seriously, get real. Platforms have been around since publishing began--it's just that people haven't been using the word "platform" until fairly recently. All of the writers you mention: Ernest Hemingway, Rudyard Kipling, and Charles Schulz all had ways and means to help promote their books (we really should stick to nonfiction, by the way--I know both Kipling and Hemingway also wrote nonfiction, but are you referring to their nonfiction here?)

If you have questions about writing nonfiction, publishing nonfiction, or about nonfiction in general, please post them here. If you want to have a conversation about the nature of art vs commercialism in writing, try the Roundtable. But you're hijacking a thread about a subject that a lot of people are interested in to talk about something else. So if you don't have anything constructive to add to this thread regarding your experience being an expert on something and writing a book about it, could you take it somewhere else, please?

laurieb--- wow. 'if you have questions... post them here' i wasn't aware that you personally had decreed that this venue is strictly limited to questions/answers. hmm i have seen many many many that toss comments about. seems like the nature of the beast. seems kinda communist to 'ban' someone -unilaterally- and i'm sure you have the consent of the majority and speak for the collective--- gettin' that shrinking feeling? Hijacking a thread? wow. talk about prosecutorial over-charging mein fuhrer. And who appointed you judge and grand overeer of what constitutes 'constructive' anyway? i've found that in life one should speak for oneself. and if outmanuevered and outwitted, and hoisted on one's own petard,...it's perhaps much better to bow out gracefully than to lash out venomously and be seen as petty. carry on o' self-elected one. and remember... don't hate. it's better to engage in 'constructive' dialogue. god bless you my child. blake

dpaterso · Sep 9, 2008

This is an object lesson in how to earn yourself a time-out. Enjoy your 7-day break. Use the time to adjust your attitude and learn some manners. If you can't -- consider not coming back.

-Derek

scope · Sep 9, 2008

platinumscript said:
Scope--- I'll break it down for you elementally my dear Scopson.read my posts carefully. as you say 'it seems pretty simple to me'. I never said i would 'not write a platform that truly details the way I will help a publisher promote my work' that's ridiculous. in fact i went to considerable trouble to point out--in my post to laurieb-- that a well-crafted proposal would indeed entail aspects such as appearances, contacting media etc. that my dear friend would of course be apropos for the promotion component of the proposal. it is in fact a requisite component, as surely as an overview or chapter outline. proposals 101.

So very much more than you suggest goes into the platform chapter of one's proposal. Why don't you use us as guinea pigs and post only the platform section of you proposal.

ok? so regarding a 'negative or bs' answer to agent/publisher requesting platform... i have no idea where you got that from. must have mixed up your posts. look closely grasshoper and you will see that i merely stated that i would not 'construct' a platform before i had a contract.

Well, that's very adult of you. "Play games with the hand that can feed you." If you need a platform and put down things that aren't true, you are asking that your name be besmirched and and failure. But I guess you intend to be the one who fools them.

Oh, i'll play their retarded game, IF they got a contract for me, FIRST. i stated i would rather write than forge a fake, useless site.

If a sound, winning platform is needed and execution expected, I wouldn't count on any contract.

if i had a contract i'd be yes sir/maam 'sure i got a site all ready to go, media kit, thread/blog... whatever ya want mr/mrs pub. but you know what? do you seriously believe that by tossing up a website and grabbing a 2 dollar domain name and blabbing on a thread, that you will have magically created a 'platform'? tsk tsk very childish and naive.

Why not tell us exactly what a great and real platform should consist of. Use your work as an example.

as for your 'revolt? Whats in it for me?' scope... why revolt? 'cause it aint happenin for you or most anyone else on this site. howsabout them apples for starters. and what's in your way is traffic. thin out the traffic and your % rate for success rises. as you said. its really quite simple.

Oh really! Well, over 30 years of writing about 80 of my books have been published, and I'm still going strong. I do not and never have worried about "the traffic." You are right, it is rather simple (so to speak). Write a good, needed book with a large needy audience, write a terrific query letter and proposal (including platform). Work with your agent and publisher to produce winning results for all.

the traffic, in this case, is untalented--literary speaking--'platform authors'. they are keeping you from your dream and severely dilluting the literary arts. when you get these cats posting 'good writing is not important' on a writers site--and-- not only not getting called to task for that cardinal sin, b ut kow-towed to and bowed to--- yeah. it's time to revolt if you want to be able to look yourelf in the mirror or look into your child's eyes without shame. lastly--as you so aptly put it..we are millions who write. yes, but just because the writer has the soul of a writer he/she may not have the talent. same as kids love baseball doesn't mean they ca play in the majors. my point is the creme should be what rises to the top, not the waste-product. agreed?

Agreed, but how do you know you are the creme? What objective means leads you to this conclusion? Have you been published, and if so have your books been successful? And how do you define waste product in regard to writers? People write for a slew of reasons, including hobby and therapy.They aren't interested in making money. Others try to write commercially and come to realize that it's too tough a game for them or they don't have what it takes. Hooray for their trying, they certainly aren't "waste."

what happened was somewhere along the line editors got tired of getting fired/brutalized by their bosses and cobbled a shield. thus was born the 'platform'. yeah boss. strong platform, can't fire me. what's unsaid is 'horrible writing, never shoulda got a contract in the first place, but you 'bosses' bought our platform excuse and now we got a heckuva lot of 'platform' on the shelves and a heckuva lot less great writing'. and guess what great writing will win out in the end. why? 'cause' the readers will demand it or they will turn to other avenues to get it. blogs? what's the pay for those? get it? that's why markets are shrinking. if they shrink anymore the pubs will say hey, ya know the king has no clothes... that's what the 'writing community' has been loobying and blogging and insisting... and revolting about. and they were right. platforms can't write. thay were never witers to begin with, does a job title make em one now? you'd be surprised what a groundswell of contrary opinion can do over time. and remember, real writers are smart people. and smart people hang out with other smart people and talk to each other. a good idea spreads and makes it's way to publisher's ears. and their board's ears. and one day they say hey... we're tired of slipping market shares... you editors told us 'platform' would reduce the slide. well it hasn't. anyone for curling up with agood book for a change? and that my friend is how revolt works and how change is accomplished. or---- continue to get those rejction slips that you seem to love so much... and keep fawning over 'platformers' that are taking food out of your mouth and stimulation out of your children's brains. see. it really is, as you say, quite simple . blake

I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. Could you try and write something simplistic so that even I could understand it?

Is being an "expert" enough?

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