Happy New Year, dear writing friends! As we slide into 2013, what are your writing goals for the future? Even if you don't feel the need for resolutions, I am certain you've given the next few months some thought and consideration, as have I. Before the week is over, I plan to finish reading Chuck Sambuchino's new book, Create Your Writer Platform: The Key to Building an Audience, Selling More Books, and Finding Success as an Author. With the rapid changes in publishing, many of us are taking full responsibility for marketing our books. Developing a strong platform is a must for the modern author. Stay tuned for a review of the book later this month. I'm excited to read what Chuck has to say. Some of the points he'll cover: The definition of a platform—and why you should start building one now . How to harness the 12 Fundamental Principles of Platform. "Old School" and "New School" approaches to platform, from article writing and conf...

Today we continue busting false notions about trends in traditional publishing, with information gleaned from agents at the 2012 Write Stuff conference in Allentown, PA. Our panelists were Rachel Stout of Dystel & Goderich Literary Management , Carrie Pestritto of Prospect Agency , Marie Lamba of Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency , Lauren Ruth of BookEnds LLC , and Katie Shea of Donald Maass Literary Agency . Agents are no longer taking on new clients. I can speak from my own experience on this one, as I signed with one of these agents in December—Katie Shea, pictured with me at right—and since then she’s taken on three additional clients. If you seek traditional publication, try submitting to newer agents at established agencies. Since they are still building their client lists they have the time to work with you, they are hungry for a sale, and are backed by the collective wisdom and power of their agencies. Chuck Sambuchino regularly posts “New Agent Alerts” at his Guide to L...