Building a Writing Platform Without Social Media: A comprehensive guide

Yes, it's possible!

Good morning Scribblers,

I hope you’re snuggled up and cosy this Friday. Big thanks to all who joined us last Friday at Blackwell’s to launch Modern Gothic - my favourite part was when, in the Q&A, Pete Hartley and Michael Bird shared some real life ghost stories!

You can still join us in Birmingham (Voce Books, Thursday, October 24th) and Newcastle (MODERN GOTHIC with Michael Bird and Opt Indie at The Lit and Phil, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1SE, Wed 30th October 2024) - Liverpool date sold out!

Pleased to say that the memorial celebration launch of ‘Lying Perfectly Still’ is now live and will take place at Newcastle Central Library on Saturday 26th of October. I’ll be in conversation with Opt Indie, with a special performance from the book from the SI Leeds prize. Free tickets here.

For anyone who would like to remember Laura, her partner has set up a JustGiving for the Swaziland Charitable Trust here:

‘I would like to pay tribute to my partner Laura Fish, who has died unexpectedly, by raising money to help children in Eswatini – formerly Swaziland. Laura was in the country in the ‘90s during the AIDS epidemic and saw the impact it had upon women and families. In her writing, she gave them a voice, treating their stories with empathy and respect… Michael’

Building a Writing Platform Without Social Media: Is It Possible?

I’ll be the first to say that I do see real value in building a social media community as an aspiring or published author - but we have a post on that already here.

In today's digital age, it's easy to assume that social media is the be-all and end-all of building an author platform. But what if I told you there's another way? A way that doesn't involve endless scrolling, algorithm anxiety, or the constant pressure to post? Welcome to the world of building a writing platform without social media!

The Social Media Conundrum

Social media can be a powerful tool for authors. It's a great way to connect with readers, network with other writers, and stay up-to-date with industry trends. But it also comes with its fair share of downsides:

1. You're the product: Remember, if you're not paying for a service, you're likely the product. Social media platforms monetize your data and attention.

2. Lack of ownership: Your carefully cultivated following could vanish overnight if a platform shuts down or changes its policies.

3. Time sink: Let's face it – social media can be incredibly distracting. Those hours spent crafting the perfect tweet could be spent, well, actually writing.

4. Mental health impact: The constant comparison and validation-seeking on social media can take a toll on your well-being.

However, more and more publishers want to work with people rather than manuscripts. So how can we show our personality online without social media? What would a publisher they find if they googled our names?

Alternative Methods for Building a Writing Platform