tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post3084012343319518648..comments2024-03-28T06:16:39.508+00:00Comments on Help! I Need a Publisher!: NETWORKS AND PLATFORMS - MUST I?Nicola Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12189894289540344094noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-9517260493964193222010-01-12T21:30:18.705+00:002010-01-12T21:30:18.705+00:00Hi Gutsywriter - nice to meet you over here! To be...Hi Gutsywriter - nice to meet you over here! To be honest, even since I wrote that post things have changed quite a bit. However, it's still the case that the writing is regarded as being so much mor important (for fiction) that platform falls into a poor second place - but is catching up! It's regarded as a bonus but not essential. For children's writers it's more important, Nicola Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12189894289540344094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-84836151081587267702010-01-12T20:42:54.431+00:002010-01-12T20:42:54.431+00:00I live in California and know Lynn Price who menti...I live in California and know Lynn Price who mentioned your blog in her post today. I am surprised to learn that aspiring authors in the UK are not expected to demonstrate their "platform" to the same extent as in the US. Fortunately, I enjoy networking and blogging so for me the problem is finding the right balance between blogging and revising my memoir. Social networking can take Gutsy Livinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02226653890127738115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-10081739642189954662010-01-12T20:38:35.460+00:002010-01-12T20:38:35.460+00:00I live in California and know Lynn Price who menti...I live in California and know Lynn Price who mentioned your blog in her post today. I am surprised to learn that aspiring authors in the UK are not expected to demonstrate their "platform" to the same extent as in the US. Fortunately, I enjoy networking and blogging so for me the problem is finding the right balance between blogging and revising my memoir. Social networking can take Gutsy Livinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02226653890127738115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-20368746697201119732009-10-06T06:16:27.319+01:002009-10-06T06:16:27.319+01:00Once again, wise words! However, I do have to say ...Once again, wise words! However, I do have to say that most UK agents remain resolutely analogue, don't accept submissions or queries by email and don't have any significant web presence or, indeed,web presence at all. <br /><br />I tend to think that no amount of platforms will impress someone who won't even use email!!!Alexanderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14141884153180374138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-44889406109872266602009-10-03T22:27:49.410+01:002009-10-03T22:27:49.410+01:00jenny - no need to be apprehensive! We're al...jenny - no need to be apprehensive! We're all really friendly (unless you say something really rude or aggressive...).<br /><br />Thanks, Sulci, Fiona, Kate, Juliet and others, for your comments. I do think it's important to do the things we feel comfortable with. Pressure is fine and we should pressure ourselves a bit, but only so far. The writing must come firstNicola Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12189894289540344094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-5471498474133090852009-10-02T20:30:24.314+01:002009-10-02T20:30:24.314+01:00Nicola, as an aspiring writer, I'm so grateful...Nicola, as an aspiring writer, I'm so grateful to have found your blog and the wonderful information that you're producing. I agree with Anne Lyle and her belief of baby steps because at times I wonder if I could in any way provide useful content that anyone could possibly dream of reading, but I kid myself. Thank and I'll keep reading.Refugio Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10208929176412482720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-35957120942846250502009-10-01T15:03:07.839+01:002009-10-01T15:03:07.839+01:00A belated thank you to Nicola and behlerblog for t...A belated thank you to Nicola and behlerblog for the answer to my question concerning publishers and book reviewers.<br /><br />:)David John Griffinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01524610087056533062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-46870120437140861322009-09-29T13:42:12.261+01:002009-09-29T13:42:12.261+01:00Writing in isolation sat at home renders each of u...Writing in isolation sat at home renders each of us like an only child. We have two responses, to keep our own company or to reach out to a wider circle of people.<br /><br />The former is very, very lonely. The latter is the first step on the way to marketing.Sulci Collectivehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03293833259808943096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-90026020967066551002009-09-29T10:16:56.479+01:002009-09-29T10:16:56.479+01:00Hear hear. Enjoyed your article in The Author too,...Hear hear. Enjoyed your article in The Author too, thanks. <br /><br />I try to only do 'marketing activities' that I enjoy so much I'd do them anyway - writing about my life as a writer at Planting Words, organising a 'Blogsplash' to launch my next novel Thaw, making friends with people on Goodreads and Facebook... <br /><br />It is difficult to prove that any of this helps Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08599095035971045492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-68056560700772165002009-09-28T12:37:27.693+01:002009-09-28T12:37:27.693+01:00Great post - there are some really good points her...Great post - there are some really good points here. Thanks for sharing<br /><br />Kate xKatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05940810066436848209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-53973320172171528522009-09-28T09:09:44.656+01:002009-09-28T09:09:44.656+01:00Putting yourself out there on the web is scary, es...Putting yourself out there on the web is scary, especially when you're just starting out and you don't have the expertise behind you. But, you know what, most people out there are very kind and you will start to make friends/contacts and as long as you remember it's not all about you, you won't go far wrong.Juliet Boydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04388850310197925066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-58124583212742436122009-09-28T01:28:04.326+01:002009-09-28T01:28:04.326+01:00David J. Griffin said:
how many copies of the nove...David J. Griffin said:<br /><b>how many copies of the novel would the publishing company set aside to send to book reviewers? Or would that be down to the author to do?</b><br /><br />David, any trade publisher - small fry like me, or large like Random House - sends out about 100 - 200 ARCs (Advance Reader Copy) to reviewers, bookstore managers, and media.<br /><br />Any publisher over here in Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-20556371138541785992009-09-27T21:27:35.271+01:002009-09-27T21:27:35.271+01:00Hi, Nicola and all your followers! I feel apprehen...Hi, Nicola and all your followers! I feel apprehensive about adding even a few lines to these excellent blogs because all this is new to me - but a platform that is for sharing is what I need. I suppose thing platform shoes: they gave the wearer a head and shoulders start... I'm still trying hard to develop my web site and not be daunted by technology, so I found all these comments Jenny Juniperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02825731389450452076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-30527102981391155822009-09-27T21:18:22.151+01:002009-09-27T21:18:22.151+01:00Nicola (Slade) - I removed your accidentally rep...Nicola (Slade) - I removed your accidentally repeated comment for you! And you should ALWAYS be paid to talk about your books - well, nearly always; well, when you can ... No, you must insist.<br /><br />Thanks for the "very successful" comment. You should see my income... Hmm. You're not exactly unsuccessful yourself!<br /><br />Re doing talks and enjoying it - it definitely Nicola Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12189894289540344094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-20449422934539427452009-09-27T21:11:34.307+01:002009-09-27T21:11:34.307+01:00Note: blogging one coming Monday 28th Sept; Twitte...Note: blogging one coming Monday 28th Sept; Twitter one Mon 5th Oct. Other musings in between. I'm actually going to be a away but I have scheduled posts for you. I couldn't let you down. There's also an emotional outpouring on 7th oct, unless I think better of it. If I'm hit by a bus in the meantime, it will have to go out as my epitaph.Nicola Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12189894289540344094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-85314045170428469822009-09-27T19:32:15.566+01:002009-09-27T19:32:15.566+01:00JackCooper: the way to do the talks is to Act the ...JackCooper: the way to do the talks is to Act the Part of the Author! I switch into Nicola the writer, the woman who has been invited to talk to a group and who, sometimes, is getting paid for it. That way I can do the talk, the chat, the signings - and it's all fun and you meet some lovely people. When I go out of the door I slink back into the car and bingo! the glass slipper is left behindNicola Sladehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03076176253820195827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-57341219280433162412009-09-27T15:03:12.021+01:002009-09-27T15:03:12.021+01:00David - I'll do a post about this quite soon...David - I'll do a post about this quite soon (remind me in a couple of weeks if I haven't). The short answer is a) absolutely this is the publisher's job and cost and b) there's no short answer as to numbers, but i'll talk about that and surrounding issuesNicola Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12189894289540344094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-47397110646185482002009-09-27T12:38:23.987+01:002009-09-27T12:38:23.987+01:00A timely post for me, Nicola, thank you.
I've...A timely post for me, Nicola, thank you.<br /><br />I've recently read of a US agent's understanding of "platform" which is:<br /><br />"...prior publishing credits and/or preparation for a career in writing through formal education in this field".<br /><br />You're description is much more attainable for the majority of authors, I think. <br /><br />I have David John Griffinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01524610087056533062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-73952788151245183102009-09-27T10:50:58.643+01:002009-09-27T10:50:58.643+01:00Melinda - brain cake - you know the recipe is ...Melinda - brain cake - you know the recipe is on my website on the page for "Know Your Brain"? I have also recently invented Brain Bars, my delicious and utterly healthy version of commercial cereal bars. Full of oats, fruit, seeds and nuts. Mmmmm. Will write the recipe soon!Nicola Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12189894289540344094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-67591927839991188722009-09-26T22:58:50.890+01:002009-09-26T22:58:50.890+01:00Hi Nicola
I'm just jealous of how much you ac...Hi Nicola<br /><br />I'm just jealous of how much you achieve. Maybe I need some brain cake...Melinda Szymanikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10202080805759494767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-50450947953958822682009-09-26T22:40:20.014+01:002009-09-26T22:40:20.014+01:00Col - very good to see you here. Any friend of t...Col - very good to see you here. Any friend of taht Smith woman's is a friend of mine. Hope you keep coming back!<br /><br />JackCooper - I'm afriad it's virutally impossible to avoid it. BUT there are lots of different ways to do it and your publisher, when you get one, should ask you what you are happy about. Thing is, you may think you'd be bad at it but you could get used Nicola Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12189894289540344094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-37781027779318707422009-09-26T22:23:47.483+01:002009-09-26T22:23:47.483+01:00Platform - definitely -why wouldn't I want to ...Platform - definitely -why wouldn't I want to help my little darlings anyway I could (although I do think you need to pick the form that you enjoy/works best for you) but what I really want to know is where you get all the time to do these brilliant posts and visit our blogs and read them and write comments and write books and attend festivals. What is your secret Nicola? I need some extra Melinda Szymanikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10202080805759494767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-14567216136688171512009-09-26T22:22:25.189+01:002009-09-26T22:22:25.189+01:00Do all published authors have to promoting? I real...Do all published authors have to promoting? I realllllllllly suck at talking about my own things to other people, so doing read-outs in libraries would be painful. I'm just wondering what kind of promotion you are expected to do as a new, unknown published author (if any).JackCoopernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-84436611462518842292009-09-26T22:21:05.023+01:002009-09-26T22:21:05.023+01:00Hi Nicola,
Great blog!
I was attracted by the titl...Hi Nicola,<br />Great blog!<br />I was attracted by the title and I'm absolutely delighted to have found you (all!).<br />I've arrived via Jane's HPRW blog so it does show how the blogosphere works.<br />Platform-wise, simply put - I feel having one can only help show agents and publishers you're already 'out there,' and can only be a positive thing.<br />Really enjoyed Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17913040012695421077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-47255269048809624642009-09-26T16:30:22.792+01:002009-09-26T16:30:22.792+01:00Marion, I've just read your really inreresting...Marion, I've just read your really inreresting comment after writing a blog post to go out on Oct 1st. I'm now going to go and insert a suggestion that everyone goes to read your stats in this comment. Or, I might just quote you - that ok?<br /><br />Robin - a warm welcome. Hope you find lots to inform and entertain. I'm in the process of writing several posts to go up in the nextNicola Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12189894289540344094noreply@blogger.com