Caren Johnson Literary Agency

As the Pasic conference draws closer, I thought I’d answer a question posted a while back about platform. Specifically the writer wanted to know how to structure a bio in a query letter and how important is platform. The quick answer to that is a novelist, whatever genre they write in, doesn’t really need to worry about platform. What you need to worry about is writing a good book. All of the platform in the world isn’t going to help if you present a less than stellar project to an editor or agent. Focus the majority of your attention on writing a damn good book.

For the novelist, the idea of platform, at least for me, is really about how can you promote yourself as a writer. I want to know what writing organizations you belong to as well as professionl organizations that can help publicize your book, if you have a popular website or blog that draws plenty of hits (where you can potentially advertise your book), what writers you know who can possibly blurb your book if it is published, etc. Past this you don’t need to worry about the idea of platform.

As for bios, I really just want to know the facts. No need to make it dry, but please don’t mention that you have seven children unless you’re writing a middle grade novel like Cheaper by the Dozen or that you run marathons like your main character who runs a mile to get to her darling’s side. Keep it to about a paragraph long and make sure it’s as up to date as possible. Things are happening all of the time so make sure you’re giving the most up-to-date information to the editor/agent.

Hope this helps.

C.