The Author or Writer Platform: What It Is and How to Make One

In today’s highly competitive writing and publishing world, one requirement often misunderstood by both published and unpublished authors and writers is that of the author or writer platform. Agents almost require that writers and authors have one. Publishers and editors ask about it and how it can fit into an overall marketing plan. Readers, even, are beginning to look for them in their quest to find more writing and books by authors they like. So what, exactly, is an author or writer platform?

Simply put, an author or writer platform is who you are and what you're known for; it is your writing and publishing resume. However, it is also much more. If you have expert credentials, or you speak around the country on a topic, or you're known by the media as a source of information on a specific issue, this is also part of your platform. If you have published any work, be it a magazine article, a book, or even a blog, those all go into your platform. An author or writer platform is simply your public face to the world.

Read more about what an author or writer platform is and how to get yours started now here.