So you have finally finished your precious manuscript, edited it, run over it with a fine-toothed comb, and put every fibre of your being into making it a masterpiece.But, no one will publish it. Why? Your novel is fascinating, your structure is sound, and your style is enhanced. What more do agents and publishers want?
Well, the buzzword on the street lately seems to be 'platform'. The writer platform.
Existing writers have them, most new writers have them, and even many of the publishing team themselves have them! So what is an author platform and how do you get one? A platform is how you lift yourself up to get seen in a busy world. It is a stage you are establishing yourself on, to get your work out there and establish a name. By concentrating on a particular concept, you become somewhat of an authority in your area.
By working on a particular idea, you become somewhat of an authority in your niche. Think of it as a soapbox in the modern age. You let the world know what you're all about, and if they like what they see you become well known for what you provide.This can be done mostly through electronic resources such as composing a weblog, creating a Facebook page or a web page dedicated to your topic.
I'll provide you with an example. I have a buddy who is composing the first draft of her first novel and knows she would have next to no chance of having it published, simply because she is unknown. She has come to realise that the conventional methods of submitting a manuscript have become obsolete. So she is developing herself an author platform.
She is taking it upon herself to be noticed in this noisy world.
She is a medical expert by trade, and the central idea to her book revolves around mental illness. She has therefore set herself up on a web page which is dedicated to mental illnesses. She blogs about all kinds of topics appropriate to mental illness, and has reached out to the community affected by the disease. Many of these people follow her blog regularly, and have 'gotten to know' her, and what she is about. She has now began to market her novel (which isn't yet complete) on her blog, and through her website.Those who are passionate about the topic and follow her are already showing interest in purchasing this book when it is finished.
There are clients available to buy the book as soon as it is finish. This takes away a lot of the risk from the publisher, hence, this lady's manuscript instantly becomes much more attractive to them! Publishers want to reduce the risk they take when signing up 'nobodies'. So, if they know who you are, they like what they see, and they believe in you, you will instantly stand out from the crowd.
Well, the buzzword on the street lately seems to be 'platform'. The writer platform.
Existing writers have them, most new writers have them, and even many of the publishing team themselves have them! So what is an author platform and how do you get one? A platform is how you lift yourself up to get seen in a busy world. It is a stage you are establishing yourself on, to get your work out there and establish a name. By concentrating on a particular concept, you become somewhat of an authority in your area.
By working on a particular idea, you become somewhat of an authority in your niche. Think of it as a soapbox in the modern age. You let the world know what you're all about, and if they like what they see you become well known for what you provide.This can be done mostly through electronic resources such as composing a weblog, creating a Facebook page or a web page dedicated to your topic.
I'll provide you with an example. I have a buddy who is composing the first draft of her first novel and knows she would have next to no chance of having it published, simply because she is unknown. She has come to realise that the conventional methods of submitting a manuscript have become obsolete. So she is developing herself an author platform.
She is taking it upon herself to be noticed in this noisy world.
She is a medical expert by trade, and the central idea to her book revolves around mental illness. She has therefore set herself up on a web page which is dedicated to mental illnesses. She blogs about all kinds of topics appropriate to mental illness, and has reached out to the community affected by the disease. Many of these people follow her blog regularly, and have 'gotten to know' her, and what she is about. She has now began to market her novel (which isn't yet complete) on her blog, and through her website.Those who are passionate about the topic and follow her are already showing interest in purchasing this book when it is finished.
There are clients available to buy the book as soon as it is finish. This takes away a lot of the risk from the publisher, hence, this lady's manuscript instantly becomes much more attractive to them! Publishers want to reduce the risk they take when signing up 'nobodies'. So, if they know who you are, they like what they see, and they believe in you, you will instantly stand out from the crowd.
About the Author:
If you're interested to learn more about creating an author platform or even novel writing go to http://www.howtowriteabookadvice.net
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