I have been in publishing for over 25 years and your advice is always right on, Brooke. As to platform, my publisher (a small press in Toronto, thought my platform (blogging and teaching for 13 years) was enough but honestly I really feel like Substack was the beginning of my current platform. My book continues to sell after almost a year being out...the reviews are positive and I shall keep keeping on!
The reality is that building an audience takes time. There's a long learning curve and lots of disappointing outcomes along the way. I write near future military science fiction. While there's a significant audience, it's probably not a big five publisher audience. I have to search out my audience and engage them. I tried on Facebook for years with limited success. I recently started a weekly Substack newsletter and at least here I'm consistently reaching my audience. I'm also growing it, though slowly. Connecting with an audience is a new skillset for most writers. I'm reminded that with every step of getting a book published, the next phase requires a whole new set of lessons. It's something I've learned to accept. Nothing comes easily and that's OK. I will get there and so will others.
I love the phrase “arrogance of belonging.” I imagine it is something most of us struggle with. It’s like imposter syndrome. We have to get past it to remember that we deserve to take-up space. I believe my arrogance of belonging is advocating for the needs as well as the desires of women, especially as I quickly approach middle age. Thank you again for another wonderful piece; I will always listen to all the advice you have to give. 😉
I love the phrase arrogance of belonging. It tells me I needn’t justify why I belong. I’ve always struggled to ‘take up space’ and this is a great perspective to counter that limiting belief.
I read your posts for advice. I know it’s true, I’ve heard the platform-followers is necessary. But I believe I’m writing my memoir, my life. I am not a marketer. It so discouraging to feel I will not be published because I can’t market myself. I “feel the arrogance of belonging”, my Substack is doing well for only 5 months and I can talk all day about my life trauma all day. It’s just finding the $100.00/publisher to hear me.
Trust me, we all are thirsty for your advice. We appreciate it all. Speaking of advice, if you have guidance on the best tactics and strategies to pitch essays, op eds and other pieces to publications, I would be grateful to learn from you.
"Arrogance of belonging" is my new favorite phrase, and I will freely admit to being the person who believed that she would find $100 on a walk around the neighborhood (or its equivalent in the publishing world—like, my work is so brilliant and so of-the-moment that OF COURSE everyone will want to publish it). While it hasn't been easy, finding my arrogance of belonging has been meaningful and rewarding, and I think it can be encapsulated in three words: imperfect but earnest parenting. (Also grudge-holding, family, the indignities of middle age, and finding beauty in unexpected places. But mostly imperfect but earnest parenting.)
Thank you, Brooke, for your weekly doses of thought-provoking wisdom. And if anyone is qualified to give advice—aka claim arrogance of belonging—in the writing and publishing world, it's you.
"You, too, might find $100 on the ground on your walk around the neighborhood today, but more likely you’re going to have to work for it." F'ing so perfectly said.
Yes to all of this! I’ve been building my platform for five years and am five books in, all but one indie published. All sales are based on publicity, with next to zero ad budget. I’m a fairly frequent podcast guest and do my own blogs, book trailers, and Canva memes. I post on multiple social media platforms every day. Thanks for the great idea to publish essays in magazines (and/or stories in journals)! Adding that to the plan.
PS You’re right: It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and a certain level of arrogance is required.
It’s a good post - clearly most of the advice out there is a pretty transparent attempt to rinse the writer of a few quid but yes - website website website!!!
Love this: “My arrogance of belonging is that I believe it matters that I show up here and elsewhere, whether it be to start a conversation, to engage you, my readers, or just to tell it like it is.”
Brooke. Thank you for your great advice. We are always urging all of our authors to focus on growing their followers. Marketing/promoting a book is a process. It does not stop. It can be overwhelming. But my advice is to take it one step at a time. Instead of dreading it. Make it fun and enjoyable.
This is a brilliant post, I'm saving it. I'm a poet and my manuscript has been collecting dust for a few months, because, you know, life. But I also started an Instagram for my poetry and my Substack, and while I'm slacking on posting regularly to my IG, I'm slowly growing my stack. Just over 60 subs now and am making some good friends along the way too.
I think poets need a platform more than any genre because poetry, as I've heard from an agent I talked with and read online, doesn't really sell so well. So agents really want to see platform.
Thanks for sharing your experience, and yes, a lot of poets are doing some interesting things regarding poetry platform building. Good to hear the motivation here! :)
I have been in publishing for over 25 years and your advice is always right on, Brooke. As to platform, my publisher (a small press in Toronto, thought my platform (blogging and teaching for 13 years) was enough but honestly I really feel like Substack was the beginning of my current platform. My book continues to sell after almost a year being out...the reviews are positive and I shall keep keeping on!
Agreed that Substack feels like the current "it" space at the moment. We're riding the wave. :)
Cowabunga!
The reality is that building an audience takes time. There's a long learning curve and lots of disappointing outcomes along the way. I write near future military science fiction. While there's a significant audience, it's probably not a big five publisher audience. I have to search out my audience and engage them. I tried on Facebook for years with limited success. I recently started a weekly Substack newsletter and at least here I'm consistently reaching my audience. I'm also growing it, though slowly. Connecting with an audience is a new skillset for most writers. I'm reminded that with every step of getting a book published, the next phase requires a whole new set of lessons. It's something I've learned to accept. Nothing comes easily and that's OK. I will get there and so will others.
So glad to hear this and not at all surprised that it's easier to reach a niche audience here. Good for you, Bruce!
I love the phrase “arrogance of belonging.” I imagine it is something most of us struggle with. It’s like imposter syndrome. We have to get past it to remember that we deserve to take-up space. I believe my arrogance of belonging is advocating for the needs as well as the desires of women, especially as I quickly approach middle age. Thank you again for another wonderful piece; I will always listen to all the advice you have to give. 😉
Thank you, Rachel—and I love this phrase too. I think of it whenever I or someone else questions or right to write.
I love the phrase arrogance of belonging. It tells me I needn’t justify why I belong. I’ve always struggled to ‘take up space’ and this is a great perspective to counter that limiting belief.
I read your posts for advice. I know it’s true, I’ve heard the platform-followers is necessary. But I believe I’m writing my memoir, my life. I am not a marketer. It so discouraging to feel I will not be published because I can’t market myself. I “feel the arrogance of belonging”, my Substack is doing well for only 5 months and I can talk all day about my life trauma all day. It’s just finding the $100.00/publisher to hear me.
We won't discount the small and indie paths, Wendy. Thanks for reading and good luck out there!
Hmm, I’m rereading my post and I have no idea what I meant by $100/publisher. I think I meant right publisher. 🤷♀️ Sorry for any confusion.
I love the phrase, "arrogance of belonging!"
Trust me, we all are thirsty for your advice. We appreciate it all. Speaking of advice, if you have guidance on the best tactics and strategies to pitch essays, op eds and other pieces to publications, I would be grateful to learn from you.
Thanks for this, Jo. I will consider this for a future post and appreciate the idea generation for things writers are looking for. :)
Definitely interested, too.
"Arrogance of belonging" is my new favorite phrase, and I will freely admit to being the person who believed that she would find $100 on a walk around the neighborhood (or its equivalent in the publishing world—like, my work is so brilliant and so of-the-moment that OF COURSE everyone will want to publish it). While it hasn't been easy, finding my arrogance of belonging has been meaningful and rewarding, and I think it can be encapsulated in three words: imperfect but earnest parenting. (Also grudge-holding, family, the indignities of middle age, and finding beauty in unexpected places. But mostly imperfect but earnest parenting.)
Thank you, Brooke, for your weekly doses of thought-provoking wisdom. And if anyone is qualified to give advice—aka claim arrogance of belonging—in the writing and publishing world, it's you.
Thanks for sharing this, Irena. You have indeed worked hard!
"You, too, might find $100 on the ground on your walk around the neighborhood today, but more likely you’re going to have to work for it." F'ing so perfectly said.
Yes to all of this! I’ve been building my platform for five years and am five books in, all but one indie published. All sales are based on publicity, with next to zero ad budget. I’m a fairly frequent podcast guest and do my own blogs, book trailers, and Canva memes. I post on multiple social media platforms every day. Thanks for the great idea to publish essays in magazines (and/or stories in journals)! Adding that to the plan.
PS You’re right: It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and a certain level of arrogance is required.
It’s a good post - clearly most of the advice out there is a pretty transparent attempt to rinse the writer of a few quid but yes - website website website!!!
Thank you, Brooke. As always your guidance is real and useful.
Love this: “My arrogance of belonging is that I believe it matters that I show up here and elsewhere, whether it be to start a conversation, to engage you, my readers, or just to tell it like it is.”
I’m grateful you choose that perspective.
Brooke. Thank you for your great advice. We are always urging all of our authors to focus on growing their followers. Marketing/promoting a book is a process. It does not stop. It can be overwhelming. But my advice is to take it one step at a time. Instead of dreading it. Make it fun and enjoyable.
As much as you possibly can, for sure!!
Author-ity of belonging sounds good, too. Start the conversation. This is powerful.
This is a brilliant post, I'm saving it. I'm a poet and my manuscript has been collecting dust for a few months, because, you know, life. But I also started an Instagram for my poetry and my Substack, and while I'm slacking on posting regularly to my IG, I'm slowly growing my stack. Just over 60 subs now and am making some good friends along the way too.
I think poets need a platform more than any genre because poetry, as I've heard from an agent I talked with and read online, doesn't really sell so well. So agents really want to see platform.
Thanks for sharing your experience, and yes, a lot of poets are doing some interesting things regarding poetry platform building. Good to hear the motivation here! :)