"Platform" defined

[Cathy C]

Just spotted this article over at the New York Observer on the increasing tendency of publishers to request information about what "platform" the author has to offer. Since this has previously been a "non-fiction" only thing, I cross posted this there too.

http://www.observer.com/20060605/20060605_Sheelah_Kolhatkar_pageone_newsstory3.asp

Interesting (if annoying) reading...

[nevada]

It's interesting that all the examples quoted were non-fiction.

[reph]

That's discouraging news for introverts.

[Patricia]

It could burst your motivational bubble if you let it.

[Maryn]

Great, another reason not to even try. (And to knowingly split infinitives just to bug reph!) The camera and I are not on speaking terms, and I'm fairly shy in person. If I'm unable to adopt the persona of a car salesman a publisher might not pick my novel? I want to be an author, not an actor.

Maryn, reminded once again that nobody said life was fair

[priceless1]

This is about the evolving laws of competition, tight marketing dollars, limited shelf space and a finite number of book buyers. This rule doesn’t only apply to the small indie presses, but the large houses are impacted as well. If an editor has the choice between two terrific manuscripts where one author has a great platform and the other doesn’t, it’s not hard to figure out who will be chosen. I’m not here to defend the practice but to explain it.

There are more writers out there looking for a piece of the publishing pie, and this has forced the bar to raise a notch higher. Is this right? I doubt it because the best writing isn’t necessarily being published - it’s about making the sale. If publishers can sell more by showcasing an author with a great platform, they’d be insane not to do it. That's how we stay in business.

Maryn, I could read the pain in your post. My heart goes out to you because you’re not alone in these thoughts of defeat. Keep in mind that there are a number of ways to create a platform. It’s not always necessary to be on television. If your story is compelling enough to catch an editor’s attention and they love it enough to want to buy it, they’ll go to great lengths to discuss creating a platform. They’re trying to find a bridge between you and your book.

At the forefront of every publisher’s brain is, “How can I sell this book and the author?” If you’ve written articles for magazines that are germane to your book, or perhaps your job plays some role in how and why you wrote your book, this is helpful to creating a platform. The publisher is looking for any kind of link that makes you saleable. They may arrange for interviews on the radio or print media.

In short, please don’t give up because you think the current paradigm is against you. If you’ve written something brilliant, look a little deeper as to creating a bio that will capture the attention of an agent or publisher.

[Thomma Lyn]

That's discouraging news for introverts.
You said it. Discouraging news on many levels, particularly since writing ability has nothing to do with having an outgoing, Born-to-Market personality. :Shrug:

Ah well - Endeavor to Persevere, and all that. And Priceless, thanks for sharing your knowledge and for your honest, encouraging words.

(edited for clarification)

[Bmwhtly]

But it doesn't mean you will only get published if you have a platform (which seems to mean you're a celebrity).
I'm reminded of one of my favourite authors, Thomas Harris, who not only didn't have a platform, he is something of a recluse who detests the modern idea of celebrity (a man after my own heart).
Yet despite the adverse marketing connotations, not only has he had five films made of his four bestsellers (a fifth coming soon), he is also respected, admired and still manages to sell well based solely on his writing abilities.

I'm trying to cheer us up, how am I doing?

[Thomma Lyn]

I'm reminded of one of my favourite authors, Thomas Harris, who not only didn't have a platform, he is something of a recluse who detests the modern idea of celebrity (a man after my own heart).
Yet despite the adverse marketing connotations, not only has he had five films made of his four bestsellers (a fifth coming soon), he is also respected, admired and still manages to sell well based solely on his writing abilities.

I'm trying to cheer us up, how am I doing?
You're doing beautifully. Thanks! :)

[triceretops]

I ran headlong into the platform thing in writing my dinosaur discovery book a year ago. All the agents and publishers wanted no less than the original scientist on the dig (in their narrative words), and as a journalist/reporter I was "hardly qualified to write the book." Swell.

On another side note, notice how some of the novel markets are asking for full-blown marketing plans and chapter by chapter outlines. Reagent and Medallion come to mind. It took me a full week and 20 pages just to hammer out these requests when they expressed interest. My agent even expressed shock at these requests. For those of you who can remember 20 and 30 years ago--it sure has changed and tightened up.

I sum it up thus: POD equals distribution problems--big time. Print on demand might be the wave of the future, but they have some serious hurdles to jump if they are ever going to get legitimate reviews, library and bookshelf placement.

Tri

[Shadow_Ferret]

:(

I'm so not a platform type.

He elaborated: “Ideally, they”—meaning publishers—“are looking for people who don’t live in a cave and come out with a manuscript and say, ‘Here: do for me, be for me, make me.’”

They make it sound like we're making these huge demands. If they publish my book they've done more than I could hope for.

[Summonere]

Version A)

So: those with no expertise in marketing, or publicity are now expected to tell those who do how to do their jobs?

Version B)

So: we don’t give a damn about your stories, only the package that we can create. Literature reduced to boy-band status. With the right faces, haircuts, clothes, moves, we will put you on TV, the radio, make you shine, baby. Make you a star.

[CaroGirl]

Version A)

So: those with no expertise in marketing, or publicity are now expected to tell those who do how to do their jobs?

Version B)

So: we don’t give a damn about your stories, only the package that we can create. Literature reduced to boy-band status. With the right faces, haircuts, clothes, moves, we will put you on TV, the radio, make you shine, baby. Make you a star.
You make it sound so sleazy. Good for you!