How Important is a Social Following For a New Author?

My unfinished manuscript, last year at this
time <3

Do you have a soundtrack in your mind? Some of you might be scratching your head and wondering what in the heck I'm talking about. But I suspect most of you know exactly what I mean. For those who don't - let me explain.

For example, when I'm in the grocery store during rush hour AND Miss Slow Poke is taking her sweet time in front of the exact section that I NEED to be in.....the song that plays in my soundtrack is "Move Bit@# Get Out Da Way" by Ludacris. (Don't judge, I didn't write the song.) Or, when I'm feeling overwhelmed, "Under Pressure" by Queen/David Bowie plays in my head. And so, the list goes on. 

Today, my soundtrack is on repeat with The Pointer Sisters' "I'm So Excited!" I don't know if the song has an exclamation point at the end of it on the album, but in my head, it does! 

This week has been a big week for me. I finally agreed with myself on a title to my new novel AND yesterday, we (my social media guy and I) launched my author Facebook fan page. 

Since I am not a published author, I feel like I'm venturing into unknown land with a pocketful of handwritten maps given to me by a bunch of folks who have been to the destination taking various routes. 

All the advice has been a little overwhelming. And the big, famous authors, the ones who are there already, haven't exactly left detailed maps with little provision stations along the way. It's good though. It's a journey of faith in my writing, belief in myself, and belief in the consistent hard work required to accomplish any worthwhile goal. 

I've read and listened to a great deal of advice on the subject of "getting published". One thing that I continue to see is that the landscape has changed recently in the publishing world. No longer is it enough to write a great book, find a literary agent and wait for the agent to find a publisher. 

Social media has changed so many aspects of our world, and book publishing is not immune to its influence. 

Now, a writer must also have a platform. The publisher wants to know that the author is marketable, that they come with a fan base. I find it distressing in some ways, but also encouraging. 

On the downside, it is sad to think that a writer of amazing talent could possibly be passed over just because he or she hasn't taken the time to develop their social media presence. 

However, the positive voice in my head (almost always the loudmouth in the group) says, "Wonderful! You have the opportunity to create an edge and to be noticed!" 

If a platform, or a following on social media can make me more appealing to a potential agent and/or publisher, then I can have some influence in the likelihood that my novel(s) will be published! 

I may not be the most brilliant person on the face of the earth, but I am creative and above all, I am a very hard worker. I can do this! And that, my friends, is why the song, "I'm So Excited" is playing in my head on repeat.