tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post7213836686800993628..comments2024-03-18T01:49:03.153-06:00Comments on Blood-Red Pencil: Author PlatformsDanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-90246683299784413222011-08-26T20:40:27.712-06:002011-08-26T20:40:27.712-06:00[url=http://www.kamagrashop.pl]potencja[/url], scr...[url=http://www.kamagrashop.pl]potencja[/url], scrutinize up on my site. If you are interested in escort, be aware [url=http://www.4uescort.de]huren[/url] or [url=http://www.escort4u.pl]ogloszenia towarzyskie[/url]Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-85059534398222872062010-03-23T09:23:22.530-06:002010-03-23T09:23:22.530-06:00Wow - this was such an insightful post. I didn...Wow - this was such an insightful post. I didn't truly understand about fiction platforms. I'm now even more paranoid about my blog.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-30452426454900093582010-03-23T03:37:33.421-06:002010-03-23T03:37:33.421-06:00Helen,I have linked to this post today as it ties ...Helen,I have linked to this post today as it ties in very nicely with my exciting news. (Well exciting for me).http://www.glynissmy.com/2010/03/oh-it-just-gets-better-and-better.html<br />I have worked hard on building a platform this year, I keep reading how important it is for a writer.Glynis Peters https://www.blogger.com/profile/01175378917872403609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-41802533510121349712010-03-22T21:56:43.358-06:002010-03-22T21:56:43.358-06:00Extended family does count, but you'll need mo...Extended family does count, but you'll need more than that. It's a place to start.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-75515902276319073762010-03-22T20:27:02.283-06:002010-03-22T20:27:02.283-06:00Does extended family count? ;)Does extended family count? ;)Jenn McKayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08096584277185808602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-4424165845769936832010-03-22T18:30:17.001-06:002010-03-22T18:30:17.001-06:00Good post, Helen. I first heard the word Platform ...Good post, Helen. I first heard the word Platform when I talked to an independent publisher about my first book. When I told him I had a loyal following after writing a column for 10 years he smiled and said, "bingo." I've since developed the network beyond that and it has been not only beneficial but fun. I'm about to publish my second novel and sometimes when I think of all the promotion it takes it makes me tired, but then I remember all the great people I've met and the joy returns.<br />Thanks for sharing your expertise.:)Marcia<br />www.vinemarc.comMarcia Lee Laycockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09109390369843987353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-18493787387292977562010-03-22T17:59:04.744-06:002010-03-22T17:59:04.744-06:00As far as marketing is concerned it makes sense to...As far as marketing is concerned it makes sense to invest time into building a platform. We're doing it here. Everyone is communicating, and the consistent commenter's are noticed. Be polite, genuine, and contribute. We used to have these conversations face to face, but now we can reach the world. Writers have to sell themselves and their books, and if we don't we won't get noticed. Every person we connect with is a potential buyer. Social media is how the world communicates.Simon Hayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09384384882217609761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-58399038387004336112010-03-22T13:59:05.735-06:002010-03-22T13:59:05.735-06:00A topic worthy of much discussion, but for now I&#...A topic worthy of much discussion, but for now I'm leaving this short thought. Commercialism-dumbing down-poor quality, and these are the first that quickly come to mind. These areas and their growing predominance are having a real effect on social norms, and so my question is, are people today addressing what we want readers to get from reading a book or has that been replaced with other motives?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-15860183593946036872010-03-22T13:49:55.946-06:002010-03-22T13:49:55.946-06:00I agree with you, Eddie, on avoiding the hard sell...I agree with you, Eddie, on avoiding the hard sell. And don't sign people up to your newsletter, for example, without their permission.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-24952730302192577442010-03-22T13:18:37.158-06:002010-03-22T13:18:37.158-06:00Great post Helen...last year I began a blog (www.b...Great post Helen...last year I began a blog (www.ballylara.wordpress.com) and although I don't post every week, it has brought me a loyal band of followers. I post stories, musings etc and have links to my work on Amazon + Apple.<br /><br />Here's a few other ideas for author platform: I'm on Facebook + set up a 'fan page' for my most recent publication. Also I set up a twitter account + send out info on blog updates + anything interesting that I come across.<br /><br />I think a key to establishing a successful author platform is to post only relevent/interesting info + avoid the 'hard sell'. Fans/followers/readers are getting more fickle — they're difficult to find and easy to lose.eddiestack.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00696223574847194703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-38243457514501650992010-03-22T12:13:11.110-06:002010-03-22T12:13:11.110-06:00It is another burden on the writer. One that a lot...It is another burden on the writer. One that a lot of writers, who often are not outgoing, would rather not do. But whether we like it or not, it has indeed come to this.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-74195119696345144782010-03-22T12:04:31.755-06:002010-03-22T12:04:31.755-06:00Probably not enough!Probably not enough!Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-72240948007341958242010-03-22T12:00:28.941-06:002010-03-22T12:00:28.941-06:00Platform is the tricky part all right. It's sa...Platform is the tricky part all right. It's sad that the book of our heart is not always the one a majority of people would find interest in.<br /><br />Morgan Mandel<br />http://morganmandel.blogspot.comMorgan Mandelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-49438570863253557612010-03-22T11:44:52.651-06:002010-03-22T11:44:52.651-06:00This whole business of a platform is so true, yet ...This whole business of a platform is so true, yet I find it a bit sad, too. It asks an author to be more than a good writer. He or she has to be a marketer and promoter, too, and those are not roles that every writer is comfortable with, let alone effective. <br /><br />On some levels I am really disappointed that the publishing industry has come to this.Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-15794908609573941862010-03-22T11:19:53.311-06:002010-03-22T11:19:53.311-06:00I've quickly learned that the process of build...I've quickly learned that the process of building a platform is a slow, step-by-step, never-ending story. Oh, for the good old days when just a website (updated from time to time) was enough.Patricia Stolteyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17192369425956406122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-51873120976441685212010-03-22T11:09:34.967-06:002010-03-22T11:09:34.967-06:00You definitely need to start building your platfor...You definitely need to start building your platform before you query an agent or editor or self-publish your book. If you start early, you can get it well under way without stressing (too much) or going into a panic.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-74474442319266767042010-03-22T11:01:56.844-06:002010-03-22T11:01:56.844-06:00Well done article, Helen. As always you bring such...Well done article, Helen. As always you bring such timely information. Platforms--you are right on target! Once again, selling instead of writing--but that's the name of the game. Sometimes it is difficult to find that platform for fiction--it makes us work our ole brain harder than ever. Usually, however, there is something that connects us to a wider audience. <br /><br />I think your idea about a monthly column on this topic at Blood Red would be a big help to us all. Gets our thinking caps energized. I vote yes! (not that you asked).Sylvia Dickey Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06665990701980727149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-4958140337564556372010-03-22T11:01:48.202-06:002010-03-22T11:01:48.202-06:00The good news is that building your platform isn’t...The good news is that building your platform isn’t difficult—nor does it cost thousands of dollars. You don’t even need to have any prior experience. It’s a fairly simple process that involves identifying your niche, then laying some groundwork to steadily increase your visibility: Create your own website and blog, give talks about your specialty, teach classes or offer workshops, participate in online communities and forums—anything that helps you reach potential readers. <br /><br />Thanks for the great posting!Sue Collierhttp://www.selfpublishingresources.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-72416603109459432492010-03-22T10:42:32.587-06:002010-03-22T10:42:32.587-06:00I've been building my platform for a couple of...I've been building my platform for a couple of months now and I have a blog and twitter feed, as well as a Facebook fan page. I'm having a lot of fun building it, but the task is still daunting. I'm currently working on a novel which I expect to start sending out queries for in the late summer, so I wanted to start building my platform now and have it established for when publishers are reviewing my work towards the end of the year. I guess it's never too early to start building this stuff up.B. Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10112783922833164491noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-84485044889305568602010-03-22T10:13:46.076-06:002010-03-22T10:13:46.076-06:00But don't forget to write a good book. Sometim...But don't forget to write a good book. Sometimes a really compelling story is 90% of the prize. I read enough books that leave me wondering why I've never heard of this writer - often it's because they have no platform at all, just a good book that's been discovered by readers, sometimes quite by accident. It can happen, but don't rely on it. I come full-circle to the first piece of advice - write the best book you can.<br /><br />DaniDanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-68701982509310002502010-03-22T09:06:19.779-06:002010-03-22T09:06:19.779-06:00I remember meeting with an editor who asked why I ...I remember meeting with an editor who asked why I was qualified to write the book I'd written. She indicated that if I wasn't a cop, or a covert ops specialist, then I couldn't possible 1) write a credible book or 2) expect anyone to buy it.<br /><br />What happened to research? To contacts? To telling a good story.<br /><br />I try to keep my name out there, but most of the folks I'd bring along to my "platform" expect me to give them free copies of my books.Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-29155449279545336512010-03-22T08:39:19.233-06:002010-03-22T08:39:19.233-06:00I’m still trying to figure out my platform so I’m ...I’m still trying to figure out my platform so I’m reading blogs like this. My problem is that I don’t think the fact I wrote a novel and someone published it makes me an expert on anything.Jane Kennedy Suttonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12519340747761460017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-91486369664950986972010-03-22T08:22:38.146-06:002010-03-22T08:22:38.146-06:00That was a good analogy, Joanne.
Hi Liza! Thanks ...That was a good analogy, Joanne.<br /><br />Hi Liza! Thanks for stopping by.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-37048380542419689962010-03-22T07:09:33.193-06:002010-03-22T07:09:33.193-06:00Helen, this was a fantastic explanation of platfor...Helen, this was a fantastic explanation of platform. Thank you.Lizahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16170701034715108039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-2272540679654177362010-03-22T07:01:39.652-06:002010-03-22T07:01:39.652-06:00There are ways to start building your platform, ev...There are ways to start building your platform, even for that Civil War buff. Don't wait until you're ready to query, though. Start now getting yourself out onto the Internet. There are so many ways. <br /><br />I heard about that guy, too, Marvin. Not every tweeter who follows him will buy his book, but odds are a bunch of them will. And that's what the publishers saw.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.com