Are You an Author? Do You Have a Platform? Do You Know What a Platform Is? Every Author, every Book, needs a Platform. It's the stage, the very foundation of your book and authoring businesses. Platforms don't happen by themselves ... they take a Village to create and you are the Mayor. And yes, authoring and publishing are businesses. Platforms start with a statement of fact: why you wrote the book; why you are the author for it; why you are committed to its theme/topic; and what value you bring to the reader. You do it with Confidence, Clarity, Competence and Commitment. Author and Book Platforms don't happen overnight. They take time, and there are steps--some small, some large and some in-between--that will transition you from just an idea to a book that stars you as the expert or an amazing story-teller. Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms is an extraordinary and interactive guidebook. Judith Briles, The Book Shepherd and author and publishing expert, will share insider strategies on how she created multiple bestsellers and award-winning books for herself and hundreds of clients. Discover how to: Create a successful book plan 22 Activities that will captivate your author and book development Identify which publishing venue is right for you Use simple ways to get to the core of your book Carve out the time and space to craft your masterpiece ID which Internet and social media features will work for your book Steer clear of the publishing predators Learn the components of creating a successful book launch Authors Must Be Snappy, Sassy and Salty ... Wow ... you are thinking of writing a book. So is 80 percent of the population. What will separate you from the masses ... those that sell less than 100 books ... the majority of authors? Do you have the right stuff to create a winning book and make a splash into today's market? How will you be heard above the author and book noise out there? Will you be successful? Do your words captivate and resonate with your targeted reader ... or are they so-so? Did you know that problems make the world go round? Author YOU can solve those problems--problems that need solutions from everything from business to personal issues. Problems that an engaging story or inspiring poem can be just what the reader needs. With words that connect with clarity, competence, confidence and commitment, all delivered with the right pop, your reader is transformed. A transformation that is expedited when you have your Platforms in place. Do you know the difference between the Author Platform and Book Platform? Your Platforms consists of three key ingredients: Vision, Passion and Commitment. When those are in place, the People can, and will, come. And so will your book sales. Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms will reveal how to: Platform prep Find your Muse Get rid of the noise Keep costs under control Find money to underwrite your book Judith Briles will share the secrets of her Platform which created in excess of four million dollars over a 30-year career, all created from her words that started with just one book. Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms ... don't start writing your book (or your next) without it Judith Briles' Author YOU: Creating and Building your Author and Book Platforms should be required reading for all authors who want to succeed in the new world of publishing. Her wise counsel combined with the reader participating through Questions and Activities will guide you to real success in building your author platform. Highly recommended. Joel Friedlander, Marin Bookworks A Self-Publisher's Companion