Get Known Before The Book Deal: Use Your Personal Strengths To Grow An Author Platform (Paperback)

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Key Phrases: writer mama, skinny bitch, query letters, Nancy Pearl, Hope Clark, Marc Acito (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Becoming visible is more crucial to landing a book deal than ever, according to agents and editors in every facet of the publishing industry. Simply churning out a book isn't enough. Aspiring authors need to develop a marketing platform in order to get noticed. This book empowers writers to take charge of their writing careers and partner with agents, editors and publishers. Introverts and extroverts alike will find effective and diverse strategies for growing their platform in their areas of expertise in ways that complement their own style and pace of working. From developing a readership, to increasing the odds of a book deal, to having a greater impact on book sales, this book is every aspiring writer's guide to success in the world of publishing.

About the Author

Christina Katz is the author of Writer Mama. She started her platform "for fun" seven years ago and ended up on Good Morning America. She has been encouraging reluctant platform-builders via her e-zine Writers on the Rise and has been covering the topic for the past two years. She recently launched the e-course, Platform Building Basics for Writers, and writes a monthly column on platform development for The Willamette Writer. www.christinakatz.com

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Writers Digest Books (November 17, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158297554X
• ISBN-13: 978-1582975542
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #67,433 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great guide for building your business -- writing or otherwise, October 31, 2008

By	Martha F. Junge "Mar Junge" (Sunnyvale, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Writing may be an art, but getting published is a business. This is the first book I've read where the author not only understands that, but also makes it easy for the reader to take action. Christina Katz defines a platform as "...all the ways you are visible and appealing to your future, potential, or actual readership." Substitute the word "clients" for "readership" and in this book you'll find everything business owners need to learn how to position and promote their companies or their first book. Plus, the info is presented logically, in easy-to-understand-and-implement chunks, without the hype that pads so many self-marketing books. There is an incredible amount of practical advice and real-world tips packed into 260 pages, along with encouraging statements to convince even the most self-promotion-phobic readers that, "Yes, I can!" I'm glad "Get Known before the Book Deal" came out in November because it's going to be a stocking stuffer for every writer and entrepreneur on my list!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Welcome new addition to book-writing scene, November 28, 2008

By	Daydream Believer (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews

Writing is a hobby for me which I occasionally turn into a profession by getting articles accepted for publication. Last year I secured my first book contract and have a book coming out in May from Viking Press. It has been quite a learning process and I have had books to guide me all along the way-- from finding an agent to writing a book proposal, etc.

But the one aspect of book-writing I found challenging was the notion of a platform. It was one of the first questions my agent asked me and it has followed me throughout the process. I am by nature rather introverted and the notion of having to do all that networking and marketing was not too appealing. I was fortunate, though, because my article writing and my teaching and training programs (however unintentionally)served as a platform.

I discovered this book through a writer's blog- it was praised for the valuable new information it provided. I immediately found the book and literally read it in one day- constantly marking it with notes and sticky-tab reminders to return to certain sections, follow the instructions, etc.

In the field of books about writing, where many titles and topics stumble over one another offering the same tired advice, Ms. Katz's book is a bright new light providing new and valuable information. If you're a writer or thinking of becoming a writer, run, don't walk to your nearest bookstore, or click the order button here at Amazon and get it. Unless you're already a marketing whiz, this book will open up new avenues and strengthen what many consider the most important part of any book proposal- your platform and marketing plan.

Good luck to all wanna-be (and already are) writers out there-- success is possible and this book will greatly help.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!, November 6, 2008

By	Michelle Rimmer "Medauthor" (Brick,NJ) - See all my reviews

I have just finished 'Get Known before the Book Deal'! This book was so motivating, it has me thinking of ways I can assist my agent in getting my book sold! Christina's exercises in the book helped me to think of a new book idea, and I am working on the new proposal already! This book is a MUST for new writers and seasoned writers and is a self-confidence booster as well!