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Platform building: when do you mention your upcoming work?

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bayberrybush
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Joined: 10-18-2010
 
 
Platform building: when do you mention your upcoming work?
bayberrybush Posted: Sun, Apr 22 2012 4:26 PM Reply

I'm working on a novel which is not yet finished.  I will be seeking traditional representation and traditional publishing routes (i.e., not self-publishing) for this project.

From what I understand, publishers want to see that writers are active partners in marketing the book.  

At what point do I start mentioning the unfinished novel in my own marketing materials?  Should I wait until at least the first draft is complete?

Thanks in advance.

 

 
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TechWriterMike
Posts :4
Joined: 11-06-2011
Milwaukee (West Allis), WI
 
 
Re: Platform building: when do you mention your upcoming work?
TechWriterMike replied on Sun, Jul 1 2012 1:45 PM Reply

For fiction, I would only wait until you know you have a work to announce and promote. That is, it has a beginning, middle and end. So maybe that's when your draft is complete, but it could come when your outline is complete and you know in your gut that you'll finish it.

The only thing you want to avoid is to have a fan ask you "whatever happened to Project X?" and you have to say "Oh, it wasn't going anywhere so I just stopped writing." Though it's always better to say "Oh, this fabulous other project that I already have a contract for took over, but I hope to return to Project X someday."

Before you get to the "announcement," you can always say you're in the middle of a project without defining that project.

One more piece of advice: If you're unpublished, do not wait to set up your social media presence. Get yourself known as a writer, and an interesting one at that, and your project, when complete, will get noticed.

 
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bayberrybush
Posts :2
Joined: 10-18-2010
 
 
Re: Platform building: when do you mention your upcoming work?
bayberrybush replied on Sun, Jul 1 2012 3:22 PM Reply

Thank you for responding!  This is encouraging advice and very helpful. I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts.

 

 
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