Comments on: A Writer’s Platform – Want to Publish? Start Building Yours

By: Bill Henderson

Bill Henderson — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:33:11 +0000

I agree, but be sure to get to the point where you’re great at what you do. That is much harder than building a platform.

By: José

José — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:41:10 +0000

I think that in this time of creativity and a globalized world, being great at what you do is not enough to succeed: you need a tribe to follow you. That’s what platform building is all about: show your work and engage and lead your tribe.
José recently posted..Los espectadores del ego

By: sachin

sachin — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:16:34 +0000

love this platform

By: cathy

cathy — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 17:15:41 +0000

Thx for your informative site. I have become a reclusive writer and that was a mistake. I will make a course correction, and build a platform.

By: Your Writer’s Platform: What is it? How to Create It Using Websites and Blogs « Never Give Up by Joan Y. Edwards

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 19:46:43 +0000

[...] 4. Bill Henderson http://writeabetternovel.net/a-writer%E2%80%99s-platform-want-to-publish-start-building-yours [...]

By: Bill Henderson

Bill Henderson — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 17:14:58 +0000

Glad to help, Jill. You seem to be up to speed, but here's a quote from agent Noah Lukeman's excellent book, How to Write a Great Query Letter: "An author's platform means the venues he already has in place to promote his book. For example a TV or radio show, or national column would be considered a platform. Someone who speaks frequently would be considered to have a platform, albeit a smaller one, as would someone with a fan base of 20,000 people." Lukeman is speaking mainly of nonfiction here, but any of the above would certainly help you get serious consideration with a new novel. He was also writing before the massive growth of the internet as a buzz medium, so I would have to add: a healthy internet presence, especially on social sites (you're already there, I see).

By: Jill Pickle

Jill Pickle — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 04:55:18 +0000

Thanks so much for the tips. I have 4 published books, but couldn’t figure out what a “Writers Platform” was. I wondered if it was who you are and what you stand for, or a place from where you speak. After reading your comments, I think it’s a little of both. Now I believe it has something to do with building your credibility, establishing yourself as an expert and getting your name out in the speaking world and on the internet.

I think I’m on the right track, with two websites, school vistits, several blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Myspace and Linked in.
Many Thanks!!

By: Bill Henderson

Bill Henderson — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 17:26:42 +0000

That would be great, Jerry. I’ll email you.

By: Jerry Lopper

Jerry Lopper — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 16:08:56 +0000

I’m starting a new website exclusively for fiction writers to give an easy platform for those reluctant to blog/twitter/etc. and as an addition to those who are using other venues.

I’d like your approval to link to your blog, perhaps quoting some of your ideas, etc. I hope to hear from you.

By: Bill Henderson

Bill Henderson — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:57:05 +0000

There are always new ways. Right now there are many social networks you’ve never heard of, small but doing fine. Worlds within worlds. Five years from now people will have moved on, but so will you. I’m not sure whether it’s the increased pace of change or being lost in a crowd that’s dismaying. There’s nothing new about change itself. As for survival, the point is, even though the noise level of platform activity is up, there are more ways than ever to build your own following online, more ways than ever to attract people to your writing–more ways to survive.