The importance of a platform for all writers

[cheekychook]

My mentor/critique group leader/friend Kaete Mariaca is a multi-talented writer with years of experience in many aspects of the industry. She recently e-published an e-book about how to e-publish. She also maintains an informative blog about e-publishing. It's open-minded and chock full of information and insights. This week in her blog I was shocked to find that she'd written about me in an article about the need for authors (of all kinds) to have platforms. I've never had an article written about me before, so I was touched. If you'd like to check it out, go here: http://www.theessentialebooker.com

[shadow]

I supose platform IS important but moreover so for non-fiction writers.

[cheekychook]

I think the whole point is that platform is no longer just necessary for non-fiction writers. Whether you publish with a big house, a small press, or e-publish you are now expected to do your own marketing. There is no more free-ride where someone else does all the work. Writers can't just sit back and write and expect someone else to do all their publicity---that's not the way of the world these days. Even if it's just a small online presence, a following is a following, and having people who will likely want to buy your book is a good thing, period, no matter what your book.

[Margo]

I think the whole point is that platform is no longer just necessary for non-fiction writers. Whether you publish with a big house, a small press, or e-publish you are now expected to do your own marketing. There is no more free-ride where someone else does all the work. Writers can't just sit back and write and expect someone else to do all their publicity---that's not the way of the world these days. Even if it's just a small online presence, a following is a following, and having people who will likely want to buy your book is a good thing, period, no matter what your book.

Yeah, this is pretty much what I've been hearing and seeing on blogs. There still seems to be an overall feeling that you can't make a bestseller simply through building a platform, but willingness to get in there and get your hands dirty (marketing and business-wise) is a must. You never know when you're going to make that contact, those handful of sales, that might touch off the word of mouth wildfire.