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About this quote

What does it mean?
The author prioritizes audience preference over editor opinion.
In plain terms
I care about what readers want, not editors.
What can you take from it?
Know audience needs over gatekeepers.

Where it applies

  • publishing a book
  • launching a product
  • making creative choices

Putting it to work

  • prioritize customer feedback
  • test with audience
  • ignore gatekeepers

Questions to consider

  • Who decides if a work is good?
  • Who matters more, editor or reader?

Another view

Editors can add value.

More from Mickey Spillane

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  2. I was one of the first guys writing comic books, I wrote Captain America, with guys like Stan Lee, who became famous later on with Marvel Comics. Stan could wr…

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  3. I was the first one probably in writing to use a nickname, Mickey, and it stuck.

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