I’m currently writing up a review of Sell Your Book Like Wildfire: The Writer’s Guide to Marketing and Publicity, by Rob Eagar. It offers a fresh take on author marketing, in part because Eagar is a marketing consultant, as well as an author.  He includes interviews with experts in the publishing, including this wisdom from literary agent, Rachelle Gardner of Books & Such Literary Agency, regarding an author’s platform:

“First, authors need to assess what kind of writer they are, who their target audience is, and how that audience is typically reached.”

That’s right. Put down your cereal bowl, pour another cup of coffee, and figure out how to honestly profile your ideal reader before spending any money on marketing your writing.

Gardner then goes on to suggest you begin with perhaps three platform building strategies, such as blogging, public speaking and social media. She cautions it takes time to build a platform, and it “should grow out of who you are and feel natural for you.”

Author Rob Eagar also advises:

“With over one million new books published each year, the world doesn’t need more authors who just write their books. Rather, the world needs more authors who know how to get their books in front of more readers.”

BIO: Helen Gallagher blogs at Freelance-Zone.com to share her thoughts on small business and technology. She writes about, coaches and speaks on publishing. Her blogs and books are accessible through www.releaseyourwriting.com. Helen is a member of ASJA, Small Publishers Artists & Writers Network (SPAWN.org), and several great Chicago-area writing groups.