Creating an Author Platform

Lift Yourself Up!

By: Loni Cameron

This month, Elaine Cougler brought us Writing and Author Platform Go Hand In Hand. Elaine reminded us that everything we write needs a place to sell, everything we write has an audience. We must find that audience. If possible, we must approach that audience. Visit groups. Do podcasts. Writers should be creating their platform at the same time as they are creating their work. Marketing tasks should start after you have had your “Bright Idea” and not after you have finished editing your manuscript.

Have a website or blog for your potential fans to visit and start engaging with others immediately.

Elaine encouraged focusing on the categories bookstores use, with Amazon as an example. Writers should look at the shelves of a bookstore and ask “Where will my book be stacked?”.

Think about your audience.

Which social media does your audience love?

Look at the demographics.

 

Are middle-aged moms going to read your book, or is it for Millennials? Remember, you must be comfortable with what you’re doing, as social media can suck up a lot of time. Pick and choose your resources wisely.

The most important takeaway from this workshop was: Be passionate about what you’re doing.

Announcements:

We would like to remind our members of the Lending Library, full of writing-related books available at events. The ability to access these wonderful, helpful books is a Member Perk. New donations include Freefall Into Fiction and Writing Without a Parachute, by Barbara Turner-Vesselago, and Revise to Write, by our very own Kim McDougall!

We would like to ask our members and non-members to please take a few seconds to complete the survey that will be distributed with the newsletter. The survey is regarding the upcoming conference and what YOU would like to see there. Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/95YVT8C

A number of volunteer positions have been filled, included our Social Media Coordinator – Sandy Day, and our Newsletter Manager – Fred Janes. Thank you to our wonderful volunteers.

A reminder that we are looking for an Assistant Hospitality Coordinator, and Special Event Aids for the Bookshelf and Symposium. If you are interested in volunteering for this role, please contact M.J. Moores at administration@infinite-pathways.or or Mark Koning at mkoning@rogers.com.

Upcoming Events:

The Pliable Writer with Craig Hodgins, Members-Only Free Workshop – November 22, 7:00pm to 9:00pm at NewMakeIt in Newmarket.

Ugly Holiday Sweater Party & Open Mic – December 8, 12:00pm to 4:00pm at Ray Twinney Recreation Complex – Lounge 1.

Make Them Wonder: Sparking Curiosity, Surprise, and Awe in Our Readers with Daniel Scott Tysdal – January 13, 1:00pm to 4:00pm at Ray Twinney Recreation Complex – Lounge 1.

Page to Stage: with Charlene Jones, Members-Only Free Workshop – January 31, 7:00pm to 9:00pm at NewMakeIt in Newmarket.

Written by

When Loni isn't reading other people's words or running around after her two young children, she spends time writing stories of her own. She finds inspiration in the little things, but also in momentous events. Loni currently resides in York Region. Twitter: @LoniStorm Instagram: loni_storm Facebook: @LoniCameronWriter

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