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Dear Lee

Dear Lee,

I called all the people who are on the “worst list” that is posted all over the Internet. I had interesting discussion with most of those agents and publishers who are still answering their phones. Here’s my conclusion: The people who put that list together should be sued. Not only by the individuals and companies on that list but by new writers who trusted these sites to give honest, researched, accurate ratings. I believe new writers are being grossly misled. The question is why would a small group of people get together and create, distribute and defend such a horrendous and seemingly malicious deed upon new writers and select, targeted companies? Unfortunately, a lot of damage was done, some irreparable. This is a lose-lose situation for all agents, publishers and writers because they all allowed this cancer to spread. Why didn’t the trade stop this in its tracks?

By the way: I signed a contract with one of the “worst” agents. I’m totally and completely happy with my choice. I may have not gotten a publishing contract from one of the biggies, but my book comes out next year. I even got an advance. A tiny one, but at least I had three people who believed in me: my agent, my publisher and myself. Now, I’m moving on to the next step: self-promotion. I have a war-chest I’ve been building over the years and now I’m going to use it.

I’m glad I have a Brain
Dear Brain,

First, good for you. Instead of moaning and groaning about how agents should do this and publishers should do that, you took the proverbial bull by the horns. My best wishes for your success and that of your agent and publisher.

To answer your question, early on everyone was afraid. If you spoke up, you got slaughtered. The Internet was relatively new and most just didn’t understand its influence or how to use it. Things are different now. The playing field is almost level. The good guys are stepping up to the plate. More new writers need to do the same thing. They need to understand that the few did not have the good of the many in mind when lists, attacks on reputations and cyber threats were issued. The world of publishing is evolving and changing. No matter how much we would all like to think that publishing and writing is like we see in the movie version, movies are make-believe. There are so many options for new writers these days. Basically, publishers don’t have to prove themselves to the new writer. The new writer has to prove themselves to the publisher. And, it takes more than good writing to get noticed. It takes people like you who accept the challenge of today’s publishing realities. Again, best wishes.

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Dear Lee,

I was recently asked by a publishing company about my “platform.” What is a platform?

I want to be published
Dear I want,

It is getting more and more common for publisher to ask about the writer’s “platform.” Basically, they are trying to determine whether or not you have in place a way to generate out-of-trade book sales that may or may not lead to trade sales. For example: Do you conduct seminars and workshops, and if so, how many a year and what is the average attendance? Do you have radio show? Television show? If so, what is your estimated audience? Do you belong to groups, clubs, trade organizations, etc.? If so, what are they and how can they help promote your book? When approaching a publisher it would be a very good idea to submit with you manuscript your platform. It usually takes the form of a promotional and publicity plan.

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Dear Lee,

My publisher wants me to get a book trailer done. Should I?

To Video or Not to View
Dear Video,

“To Video.” That is the answer.