I’m a big proponent of using blogging as a way to build platform for nonfiction authors. I speak about this quite often to my clients, many of whom come to me with book proposals that have empty platform sections. When I speak before groups, in particular writer’s groups, I often get asked about how fiction writers can use a blog to build platform.
Interestingly enough, on my blog at VibrantNation.com, the other day a reader asked me the very same question. She wrote: “This may work for non-fiction but how would a blog work for fiction writers? I do have a blog where I speak about my own writing journey and process. However, I do not go into great depth regarding my two novels. How would I interest readers to my blog without posting the entire story line, chapters, etc?”
Given that so many nonfiction writers write memoir, which reads like fiction, I thought I should address this question. Here’s how you use a blog to build platform or promote fiction or memoir:
- Blog about subjects related to your novel or memoir.
- Blog about your characters and their development.
- Blog about what inspired you to write to write the book.
- Blog about how your book BENEFITS readers.
- Blog about what readers learn from your characters or from the story line.
- Blog about the place or time period in which your novel takes place.
- Offer recipes that pertain to the place where your book takes place or that come from your memoir (experience).
- Blog about your writing practice or tools.
- Offer snippets of a new novel or memoir.
- Publish vignettes.
- Discuss little sections of your novel or memoir and how you wrote them or what they mean.
I hope that helps. Blogging provides one of the easiest and best ways to build author platform today. If you want a built in readership for your book, start blogging today.
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