"Platform is all about a writer showing they can get people's attention. Publishers need authors' help to get books into the market." - Terry Whalin from an 6/5/07 online Q&A session, Ask Terry.
Here are some notes I took on the conversation.
Someone asked how important platform is for an author. Terry said it was all important, especially for non-fiction writers. 90% of non-fiction books never earn back their advance. Writers with established audiences are important because of overcrowded markets.
He said it's sometimes hard for writers to see how to build a platform. Options he mentioned were the internet, speaking, being prolific with writing or collaborating with someone high profile. Be creative.
He didn't specifically mention blogging, but that falls under the internet category. It's also creative.
Since he mentioned non-fiction, let's think about that. Build your blog on your proposed book's topic. Don't use book material for the blog. Though it might work for some people, a general rule would be to supplement your material. Maybe you could use some of the things you had to cut. Maybe you wanted to go more in depth, but didn't have room.
It takes time to build your blog readership, but it can be done. Then you can use your blog stats in your book proposal to demonstrate an interest in your topic and writing style. It won't make you rejection proof, but if you can show a publisher you've developed an audience, that's one more thing in your favor.
Go get your blog on.
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