On Platform

Let's just get this out of the way: no, you don't need a platform to write fiction.

Ahem. Now onto the post.

While I don't do much adult nonfiction, I do get asked quite a bit from clients what I think of a nonfiction proposal they'd like to draw up and shop around.

It's not an issue at all to write fiction and nonfiction; however, there are a few key things to know if you're looking to break into this area:

PLATFORM

Before you even start drafting up your idea into proposal form, stop and consider your platform. It's very common to confuse this term with experience; platform is not experience. It answers the following question in a way that leaves absolutely no room for follow up: Why are YOU the person to write THIS book?

For example: say you want to put together a writing handbook for other authors, with tips and tricks of the trade.

Ok. So why are YOU the person to write THIS book?

Because you've been writing for over ten years, and have published three novels.

And?

So have others; why YOU?

A good answer, incorporating platform, would be: I've been writing for over ten years. All of my novels have appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including USA Today and The New York Times. My blog, XXX, receives over 100,000 hits a day, and I've been teaching workshops and online seminars for the past five years, brining in approximately 1,000 attendees per year. My programs are growing, and I anticipate having over 2,000 attendees in the next year. Success stories from my workshops include bestsellers X, X and X. In addition, I have completed a Master's in Writing and Literacy, and guest post at HowToWrite.com, which has over 500,000 hits a year. My posts regularly see 10,000 hits within the first few days. I regularly speak at conferences as well, including X, X, X. Endorsements from my program include: "OH MY GAWD SHE IS SO AWESOME!!"

In other words, as Jane Friedman says so very well: "It is not about your qualifications, authority, or experience, although these are tools for growing or nurturing a platform....[platform] gives you power to market effectively....it’s about making waves that attract other people to you." (Seriously, read her full post, it's incredible.)

Needless to say, platform isn't something you can build quickly. But it's also not unattainable. If you were this writer interested in writing a how-to for other writers whose answer was the first above, you can still do it; step one is simply going to be building your platform.


Step two, of course, is your PROPOSAL. This piece convincingly answers the following question: Why THIS book NOW?

I understand why it is that YOU should write this book; but why should anyone PUBLISH this book?

The tools you'll prepare to answer that question:

• Project Synopsis/Summary: an overview of what exactly it is you're writing, and why (what is the audience, what is missing in the current field that your book brings, why will people care).


• Market/Competition: What else is out there that's like your book? And don't say: nothing. That doesn't help me either; even if there are no other books just like yours, what other books are your audience buying that yours will be better than, and why?


• Author Platform & Bio: see above!


• Chapter Overview/TOC: an outline, with brief (1-2 sentence) descriptions on what each chapter will contain


• Sample Chapter: This doesn't have to be the first chapter; it could be any bit of it. Though it's most typical to be the introduction and/or first chapter. After all, you could be killin' it at selling this thing...but I need to see if you can actually write*, too! 

*It's not uncommon to have a ghostwriter in nonfiction; it is uncommon, however, for a publisher to want to front this cost unless you're presenting a Big Book. If you want to go this route, expect to have to royalty and/or advance share or front this yourself. You'll typically want to have the ghostwriter in place before you sell the proposal. When you're looking, you'll want to make sure your ghostwriter is up to snuff too. Read: what else have they done? Get referrals and and references!

Whew! Lots to chew on here for those of you looking to take this plunge. Me, I think I'll stick with blog posts.


Further resources:

On platform:

1. http://thewritelife.com/author-platform/ (it even includes a pie chart of what goes into platform):
2. http://www.writersdigestshop.com/create-your-writer-platform-group

On proposal:

1. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/10/nonfiction-book-proposal_n_3569043.html
2. http://www.bradfordlit.com/how-to-write-a-non-fiction-proposal/

Real Talk: Agent Life

So this happened:

And I'm pretty happy that Jenn clarified what she meant, because the statement in the bottom tweet has me all fired up.

Fact: for MANY, agenting is kind of like this: 

No, not that we're all secretly crazy (I just happen to like this clip); what I mean is that what we present, and what the world sees, is a fraction of the reality.

I'll be honest; it's taken me many years to find the courage to write about this in a post, because of potential backlash from authors OUTRAGED at the idea or my clients FREAKING OUT about my availability.

But you know what? That's crazy. Because the bottom line is that I am a better agent because of it.

So here it is: when I, and quite a LOT of new agents, started out...agenting wasn't my only job. I had three jobs, actually; mostly because I'm a crazy person who thrives on challenge, but even that isn't all that uncommon: I know agents who have two jobs, write their own books, AND have a bunch of kidlets running around. Some agents work 9-5 in an agency as an assistant; others also handle sub rights or even just have kids - that's a job in and of itself, you know.

And right now? Heck, I still have another job and a kidlet of my own, because I happen to love both things very much. And for any agent who continues to write, or assistant, or crochet and sell adorable little hats: if it's not slowing you down (and in fact, I'd argue a lot of "other jobs" only benefit the agent, in both experience and networking and time management), why do you have to stop?

Because trust me; as an agent who does it all, I am constantly only doing better because of the challenge. Last year was my best year ever, and this year, I've already exceeded that by 45% - even negotiated a deal while in labor. And the year's not over.

What's important, as Jenn noted in the tweet above, is that the other jobs don't conflict with agent duties; absolutely, a second job should never be a conflict of interests.

I LOVE what I do; and yes, I do think there should come a time when an agent can pay the bills from what they do - if he or she is doing it full time. It used to be a 3-5 year ramp up; now, with digital offers and lower advances, I'd say it can be 5-7. Because remember, this is a commission-based in a snail-paced industry job; royalties take time to ramp up, and advances are paid out in increments, once that contract is negotiated.

But even if an agent is never able to make it fully on their own (without another job, or support of a spouse) does that REALLY mean he or she isn't a real or legit agent? That he or she should try another job? I don't think so. Sometimes, doing what you love, what you're best at, doesn't ever pay the bills. Doesn't mean you should stop.

Writers, hear us roar! Publishing can just be that way. It doesn't mean we're not successful!

Though word of caution: there's still a big, big difference between a legit agent working her ass off who can't pay the bills yet and a schmagent.

But this publishing biz can be a bitch; let's not make it any harder for ourselves by being haters and assuming our walk of life should apply all around. That goes for everyone out there - writers (traditional, self pub, hybrid), agents, editors, publishers, publicists, etc.

Be strong. Be fierce. And don't apologize if you're being awesome just because it's not what everyone thinks being awesome should look like.