Writing for Non-Fiction Genres

» katycopsey - Any plans for this subject?

In response to Any plans for this subject? posted by LauriePK:

Laurie
Your article mentioned 4 alternative ways to get a platform. They involved agents, humor etc. Without a platform I was under the impression that agents would not take you, and humor etc is great but I fail to see how that helps get a platform. Could you clarify please?

Kate

-- posted by katycopsey

» Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen - Any plans for this subject?

In response to Any plans for this subject? posted by katycopsey:

Regarding agents, I believe you can secure one without a platform if your idea is strong enough, and if you have the potential to build on it. Maybe it takes an inside edge (eg, a personal introduction to or chance meeting with an agent), or maybe it's serendipity. Sometimes you're in the right place at the right time, and your preparation and ideas are just what the agent is looking for.
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A couple days ago I emailed 6 agents re my book ideas, and one responded immediately with, "I'm in London on a book conference; call me when I return." I haven't heard from the other five yet. I don't have a platform, but I did get a response. Who knows where that will lead....but the planets could align and we could be on the edge of a great relationship! Or it could be a dead end. We'll see....
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Regarding humor: satire, especially, is rare and valuable. Twain and Vonnegut were famous satirists; I don't think that sort of writing is very common. So, if you can pull it off and you don't have a platform, you may have a better chance at getting published or securing an agent than if you were a "regular" writer.

» LitAgent - Clarifying exactly what a platform is

In response to Any plans for this subject? posted by katycopsey:
My article, The Top Question for Book Sales: Do You Have a Platform? will clarify exactly what agents and editors mean by "platform," which often gets confused with "promotion." This article has a link which takes you to a blog with further info about platforms.

-- posted by LitAgent

» Brian Tubbs - Any plans for this subject?

In response to Any plans for this subject? posted by LauriePK:

Thanks, Laurie, for this - and for your email.

» Brian Tubbs - How do you GET "Famous"

Barbara, I've enjoyed your article and blog on the subject of platforms. Yours too, Laurie. The real question is -- "How do you get famous?" or "How do you become a celebrity?"

Robert (Bob) Bly wrote a pretty good book on this subject. I'll look up the exact title and post it as FYI. It was good, but rather discouraging actually.

It basically boils down to this...If you're not a celebrity, you have to become a well-known expert in a topic that's in-demand by the public.

I've thought about hiring a public relations firm (not that I can afford that - but I'm wondering if it'll pay off in the end) to increase my name recognition and profile.

But right now, I'm trying to wrestle through (stress over, really) what I should become a "well-known expert" in. I'm a pastor, but it's of a small church - and small church pastors are a dime a dozen. I have a website here at the Suite on Protestantism, but it gets too few hits to impress anybody.

I love American history and taught it for four years in high school, but private high school teachers are a dime a dozen as well.

I don't have any credentials that will turn heads, and hardly much to work with or go on - in terms of striking out on the speaking circuit.

So, I'm really kind of stuck. I have a number of book ideas that I think would do really well - IF I had a big name. But, alas, I don't. And this whole thing has been nerve-wracking and frustrating.

» Brian Tubbs - One idea

One idea I've considered - and AM considering - is writing FICTION. If I can break in as a fiction writer and get a few books published, maybe THAT will give me a platform to cross over into non-fiction.

For example, I am a chaplain candidate right now with the US Army. I've thought about writing a series of novels based on chaplains in past wars. These would obviously be Christian novels. If I'm successful, maybe I could then write a non-fiction book about religion in American military history or something like that - and go on from there?

Is that a viable plan?

» LitAgent - One idea

In response to One idea posted by BrianTubbs:

In my early years as an agent, I launched new authors via fiction, but I now recommend nonfiction, instead, due to the realities of the marketplace.

A strong Christian publishing house can generate respectable numbers of copies sold. You aptly understand platform as fame, and your chaplain project might be one way to begin developing the following you need. These publishers are more open to new writers than regular trade houses for both fiction and nonfiction.

My writing here is to give you accurate info about publishing, so here it is, the bald truth: it's harder than ever to publish a first-time writer's novel with a legitimate trade house these days. (I'm not talking about Christian houses here.) It's not impossible; I still do it upon occasion. However, a better strategy is nonfiction, as per my article, Why Write Nonfiction? A Literary Agent Tells You How Nonfiction Can Jumpstart Your Writing Career

Best wishes!

-- posted by LitAgent

» Brian Tubbs - Nonfiction articles

In response to One idea posted by LitAgent:

I agree with you completely in terms on nonfiction articles. Not that I disagree on nonfiction books either. After all, who am I to disagree with you? I should say that I definitely see your point on nonfiction articles, and I have gotten several of those published. It's also why I have a Suite101 site. And why I write for AssociatedContent. I'm trying to get an Internet presence as well as an occasional print magazine presence.

But....it seems like I'd have to have written HUNDREDS of print articles and have TENS OF THOUSANDS of hits on my Internet site(s) in order to demonsrate a "platform" for a nonfiction publisher. Am I right?

» LitAgent - Nonfiction articles

In response to Nonfiction articles posted by BrianTubbs:

You can be discouraged if you want, but I have given you reason for hope. Forget trying to impress people; instead work diligently towards your goal. Re-read my response #16, above.

Best wishes!

-- posted by LitAgent

» Brian Tubbs - Hope and Thanks

In response to Nonfiction articles posted by LitAgent:

The fact that you're taking the time to do this site and that you provide so much helpful info gives many aspiring authors hope. I appreciate that very much.