A better way to get your book read by publishers — Trust the Bubblecow!
So what is a Proactive Writer?It’s a writer that recognises that the publishing world has changed and the road to writing success lies in their own hands. This is not to say that they need to do everything alone (on the contrary partnership is a big part of the process), instead a Proactive Writer is one who is prepared to do what is needed to developed their own work, their own reputation and their own marketing.
I am hoping to develop the concept of the Proactive Writer over the coming weeks, but for now here’s the key attributes of a Proactive Writer:
They produce remarkable work,
They have an active and persistent online presence,
They embrace technology,
They participate.
Thoughts?
Imagine how much easier it would be to get published if a writer could think like a publisher or agent. This was Caroline Smailes’ goal when she set up BubbleCow.
After securing a multiple book deal with HarperCollins, editor and writer Caroline realised that most writers stood almost no chance of getting published due to a lack of understanding of how the publishing industry really worked. BubbleCow was set up to give writers the best possible chance of securing a book deal.
This is what a modern author’s life has to be. We need to jump aboard this new technology train or we will get left behind. For me, Twitter has become by far the most useful interactive platform for getting my author profile out there–and I think it will keep on growing. I shall be blogging about this and other aspects of writing life in the coming weeks at http://www.scribblecitycentral.blogspot.com – starting today. See what I did there?! All part of the proactive New Deal.
Ohh Lucy very slick. I even clicked onto your blog!
I want to try and explain that the next wave of big writers are going to be those that build their own careers. Yes they will need a publisher but this will be a partnership, a method to sell books. In the background writers will be building their own brand. Writers we all now see in the blogs and twitter will grow into superstars.
Thanks for this post. It’s very scary this proactive writer business! I remember being brought to Twitter kicking and screaming, but I am glad I ended up here. There’s so much wonderful information to read. Yes, the times…they are a-changing.
Just as many do, I also have a blog. Mine, however, does not give advice or secrets for writers. It’s stories.
I hope, one day, to be among those writers you mention in your last sentence to Lucy.
http://bit.ly/HuAv7
Marisa – I think the key in the early stages is to be effective on one platform at a time. I am only now considering branching into Facebook for BubbleCow. This is only after I feel we have developed a voice on twitter and the blog. Yet the fact you are thinking about promoting yourself as a writer in the first step.
Gary–You can see the product of my cogitations on being proactive now at http://scribblecitycentral.blogspot.com/2009/11/writing-101-production-part-1-overview.html (and I’ve credited @BubbleCow + link to this post).