What the @^ (# is a Platform?

A writing rant

Earlier this week, I was at the gym listening to a podcast while lifting weights.  This particular podcast had an interview with an editor at one of the big publishing houses, and I looked forward to hearing what she had to say.  She was the editor who acquired the memoir I use as one the comparison titles to my own story, and I eagerly awaited her advice.

As she described a recent manuscript that came across her desk, I stopped mid-set to listen.  Her description of the lush writing, story structure, and interiority filled me with the desire to run out and buy the book.  Then she said the words that knocked me flat.

“Ultimately, I had to pass because the writer had no platform.”

“Bullshit!” I yelled so loudly that other gymgoers turned to look at me.  I smiled sheepishly and pointed at my earbuds. 

The editor went on to explain that publishing is a commercial business, and they must keep an eye on the sales potential of each book.  She said the writer’s platform is considered an essential component in calculating potential book sales.  But she offered no definition of this mysterious “platform.”

Early in my quest to publish my book, I prematurely queried a couple agents.  They were both quite kind and offered me feedback.  The first told me that she liked the query, but I needed to grow my platform.  At the time, I had about 200 followers on Twitter/X, and that was too low.  So, I set about increasing that number, and I’m currently at 2,500. Go me!  (My handle is @2HeartCore4U in case you want to follow me over there.) 

Twitter was my only social media account dedicated to my “author” persona.  My private Facebook account belongs to my secret identity, my Peter Parker hiding behind the word-slinger.  I created an author page on Facebook and Instagram, but I don’t know much about the latter other than posting pictures.  Tik-Tok is a no-go for me.  I lack the bandwidth or the perky personality to make fun little videos. 

The second agent told me that I needed to have a website and be “discoverable” on Google.  I hopped on WordPress and set up a website, created a blog, and now I show up on Google, the telephone directory of the digital age.  To quote Steve Martin from The Jerk when he saw his name in the phone book, “Now I’m somebody!”

Of course, I’m over here on the stack, where I’ve found a wonderful and vibrant writers’ community.  I appreciate every one of you and feel like I’ve found my best digital home over here.  I invite you to follow me or subscribe and invite your friends if you like what you see.  I’ll even subscribe or follow you back!

Together, we can find our way through the quagmire of words and the quicksand of query letters to reach our publishing goals, or just to stay sane.

And if anyone has an idea of what a platform is supposed to be, let me know in the comments!