Ummmm... Pretentious much?

I just joined an academic chat forum because they have a chat room on research, writing, and publishing. I am writing a textbook with a colleague on educating students with autism and behavior strategies, and this site seemed to be helpful because it discussed writing, publishing, editing, etc.

So, I posted an intro post, explaining above, what I was working on and why, and how happy I was to find this site because it was hard to find a place to discuss this side of writing. I said I am looking forward to learning about what information and resources were out there.

Cailen was rolling all over me, so I posted what I wrote. I had one typo in my post.

This is my 1st response back:

1. Welcome to the fora.

2. Most of our expertise here deals with the publication of scholarly works, which does not usually include textbooks (paradoxical as that may seem) or trade books.

3. For what level of education is your textbook intended? If it is for anything below college-level use, again, we probably won't be much help to you.

4. One of the most frequently recommended books on academic publishing is William Germano's Getting It Published. You may want to consult that.

5. Since this is a forum for academics, many of whom care deeply about the importance of grammar and spelling in clear communication, we ask that you please use proper spelling and grammar on this academic forum. There is a spell-check button below the window in which you type your post. People on this forum, at least, will tend to take you more seriously if you have taken the time to check your posts for spelling and grammar errors.

Good luck.

This was my response:


1. Thank you!

2. I will be using empirical data and research, so I believe that will satisfy the scholarly as well as the lay people alike. The field of autism encompasses both. I'm a BCBA, which is in the higher academic realm.

3. This book is for educators, so yes, a college degree would most likely be the reality among my readers, as well as for educated parents and other professionals.

4. I will definitely look into the book - see, you are helping me already, even though you doubted that you could!

5. I am confident that I will be taken seriously even if I make an error here or there. Accidents happen - I have impeccable grammar and spelling. HOWEVER - I also happen to have an 18 month old, who has taken to climbing all over me when I'm doing my work. I have a lot of experience posting on other websites. So, my take on things generally is if someone does not like the way I post, and will be bothered by an occasional spelling error, I am not sure I would get much out of that person any way in terms of information, resources, guidance, or friendship. That being said, I let that be the barometer for who I have a connection with, and who I don't. I'm sure I will get the information I need - and much more - even though it seems there are people with limited information on here. Thanks for the book rec, though!

I know it may be too early to snark back, but I'm assuming they don't take too kindly to newbies in their neck o' the 'Net?

Re: Ummmm... Pretentious much?

I work in academic publishing, and can I think of several people we've published who would post something like that! They can be a very defensive group. Sometimes all that education goes to people's heads.

Good luck with your research. Let me know if there is anything I can help you with from the publishing end. I think what you are working on is a little different from what I do, but I might be able to point you in the right direction.

Re: Ummmm... Pretentious much?

Posted by tourist



I work in academic publishing, and can I think of several people we've published who would post something like that! They can be a very defensive group. Sometimes all that education goes to people's heads.

Good luck with your research. Let me know if there is anything I can help you with from the publishing end. I think what you are working on is a little different from what I do, but I might be able to point you in the right direction.

Re: Ummmm... Pretentious much?

She's probably chewing on her own foot already.

It's crazy how serious "educators" take forum posts and comb them for spelling and grammar mistakes. We're all prone to errors every once in a while - 18 month old or not!

Re: Ummmm... Pretentious much?

Liza--look at this sentence of HERS:

"Since this is a forum for academics, ... we ask that you please use proper spelling and grammar on this academic forum."

My FOURTH grade teacher would take issue with the redundancy in this alone. Maybe SHE should polish up her writing!!!

Re: Ummmm... Pretentious much?

Posted by seaside

Liza--look at this sentence of HERS:

"Since this is a forum for academics, ... we ask that you please use proper spelling and grammar on this academic forum."

My FOURTH grade teacher would take issue with the redundancy in this alone. Maybe SHE should polish up her writing!!!

Re: Ummmm... Pretentious much?

My DH has colleagues who would write something like that.

Re: Ummmm... Pretentious much?

Good for you!!!!!!!!

Re: Ummmm... Pretentious much?

Ewww.

Re: Ummmm... Pretentious much?

Great response

ETA:
and newbies think we are a tough crowd

Message edited 11/1/2008 8:24:32 PM.

Re: Ummmm... Pretentious much?

Wow you responded in a much more dignified way then I could have! I would have flipped them the figurative bird and posted your "vagina" tattoo.

Re: Ummmm... Pretentious much?

I think it was the perfect amount of snark, and well-timed. Nip it in the bud....

Re: Ummmm... Pretentious much?

Wow....sounds like they are trying to scare you away from their forum...they don't seem to put their best foot forward

Re: Ummmm... Pretentious much?

people are jerks

Re: Ummmm... Pretentious much?

love your response! let us know what happens!!

Re: Ummmm... Pretentious much?

I can't believe someone wrote that to you. I'm angry for you. I think you handled that really well