for the writer in you...
Where I share articles you might find helpful.
Promotion Before Publication:
Getting Known
©Ginger Hanson 2011
The myth of getting published goes like this: I don’t need to worry about promoting my writing because once an editor reads my wonderful book (screenplay, memoir–you fill in the blank), she is going to knock herself out getting it published, giving me lots of money for promotion and lining me up for a nationwide book tour. All I have to do is show up and sign my books.
The reality has no relationship to the previous paragraph. In her book, Get Known before the Book Deal: Use Your Personal Strengths to Grow an Author Platform (Writers’ Digest Books, 2008), Christina Katz says “It isn’t about how talented you are, rather it’s about what you do with how talented you are.”
(According to Ms. Katz, A platform is all the ways you make yourself visible to your future, potential or actual readership.)
You may wonder why getting known before publication concerns an unpublished writer. I have 3 good reasons:
- Because today’s agents and editors are very interested in this part of the package.
- Because editors want writers who can interact with the public, especially writers who are knowledgeable about using the Internet to interact with the reading public.
- Because editors work for publishing companies who are in the business of publishing to make money. They are not in the business of stroking your ego.
Now that we’ve established the why, let’s look at the how. How can an unpublished writer get their name out there? There are a lot of ways and Ms. Katz’s book is chock full of them, but I’m going to discuss three that I think are within the reach of most writers.
- Get your name out there via face-to-face meetings. For example, attend a writer’s conference. There are conferences streamlined to fit every type of writing. Choose wisely, go with friends so you can share the cost of the gas and lodging, or choose a conference that can be part of vacation for your family.
What do you get out of a writer’s conference?
The chance to interact with editors and agents, pitch ideas, learn what they are looking for.
What can you give at a writers’ conference?
Volunteer to help out at the conference because it gives you an even better chance
to meet writers, editors and agents.
- Get your name out there via your writing. You don’t have to sell an article to a national magazine to get your name out there. You can start on a local level.
- Newspapers. The numbers are shrinking, but opportunities still exist.
- Newsletters- if you are in any organization that has a newsletter, write an article for it.
- Book reviews. Any number of book review sites need book reviewers who can write a good book review.
- Enter contests.
- Judge writing contests. For example, RWA uses unpublished members to judge the Golden Heart contest which is open to manuscripts written by unpublished writers.
- Get your name out there via the Internet.
- If possible, get a website. Buy your domain name now to ensure it’s available when you need it.
Samples of your writing for agents and editors to see.
Any final or win in a writing contest.
Resources for writers or readers.
- At the very least, if you don’t have time or money for a website, start a blog. These are free. The drawback with a blog, or any promotional site via another company, is that it can evaporate without warning. It’s more difficult to backup the content or have any artistic control over this type of Internet access, but it is the cheapest way to get online. Again, you can pick a topic and write about it, showcase your own writing. Keep in mind a blog needs to be updated regularly.
- Facebook is another free venue, but remember to do this as a fan page or business rather than a personal page. You have to learn to separate the two.
If you’re seriously contemplating a writing career, be proactive and get your name out there now!