Creating an Author Platform + Ideas bouncy houses

Or “When you realise that editing isn’t the most painful part of getting your writing published.”

So, just in case you are wondering if this post will be insightful and give you the key to finally mastering the art of creating the Perfect Author Platform, the answer is no. I’m sorry. Just no. Because like every other author I know, I have a small secret.

Ready?

I’d rather be writing.

Hell, I’d rather be ruthlessly cutting out whole scenes of my current WIP rather than struggling through the quagmire of blogging and social media popularity. I almost called it the blogosphere. That’s how out-of-touch I am. I feel your judgement from here.

But unfortunately for me, and some of you, it is a necessary evil in this brave new world of publishing. So I am going to try one tip/trick/drill-sargent-type order a week to see if it helps.

Tip #1 – post regularly and engage with your audience. Even a small amount of reblogs/retweets/likes has the ability to exponentially increase the amount of eyeballs on your work. – @katherine-munro

So there you have it. Not revolutionary but a good dose of reality to whip this procrasta-knight into shape.

We’ll see how we go.

But until then, let’s see if I can give back to the greater blogging community.

Do you need someone to pitch an idea to? Something stewing around up in your brain, or characters that are screaming in your head? Do you just want to bounce an idea off someone who won’t think you are a complete whackadoodle? I am your slightly weird saviour. Send me an inbox with your ideas and I’ll give you my thoughts and encouragement.

Because sometimes you just need the support of a random stranger to get the ball rolling. I know I did.

P.S. all ideas are yours and yours alone. Consider this my legally binding disclaimer that your ideas will not be plagerised by me. I have enough voices in my head without adding yours too.

Writing Residences (Or Throwing Puffins in Iceland)

 

Laugarvatn, Iceland Source:gullikstan.is

 

Recently, I became aware of a writer’s residency available in Iceland, hosted by Gullikstan Center for Creativity.

I’m not sure if I have ever mentioned this, but I am a serious Iceland fanatic. It is a creative wonderland of interesting people and amazing wilderness. They have the highest rate of published authors per capita, publishes more books per capita and also has the Nobel prize winners per capita. They are host to some of the most amazing natural phenomena in the world. For instance, every August, the children of Vestmannaeyjar save confused Pufflings that have become landlocked in town, caring for them before taking the back to the beach and literally throwing them into the ocean, to live another day (and perhaps get eaten as a delicacy. Hey, no shade here!)

That’s not to mention Jolabokaflod or the “Christmas book flood” which is fuelled by the Icelandic tradition of giving the gift of a book and chocolate on Christmas eve and spending the night reading. Needless to say, I think I have found my people!

So when I discovered Gullikstan, I knew I had to apply. It is a perfect opportunity to combine the two things I love the most. The opportunity to just write, without the distractions of work and home. And the chance to visit the country I have longed to visit for nearly a decade.

So, how do you find a writers residency?

The easiest, most efficient way is to go to Res Artis, a directory of artistic residencies across the world. Find one you like, whether it be in your own country or on the otherside of the world.

And then you apply. Because you can never be accepted if you never give it a chance. Okay, so it’s not that easy. You are going to need a few things, depending on which residency you are applying for.

Firstly, a creative CV. I say a creative CV because it is going to be fundamentally different to you normal old CV. No mention of your work at McDonalds or your stint as a checkout chick is needed. What you’ll need is a clean, plain document that lists a little about you, your experience (ie articles you have written, books you have published, competitions you have one), your education (if you have anything relevant to your creative pursuits, like a BA in Arts or a certificate in creative fiction, whatever it may be), details of your online presence and author platform, and perhaps, if it’s relevant, space for other information.

After your CV, you are going to probably have to write an Aim of Stay. Unfortunately a single line that says “To get this goddamn manuscript finished!” isn’t going to cut it, even if at its very core, that is the reason for the residency. Maybe you need a change of perspective? Maybe you book takes place in the host country of your residency? Don’t worry, you’ll think of something.

You may need to send a sample of your work, or even submit an idea for workshops you could hold. Each residency is different, and their acceptance criteria (and the amount you’ll have to pay, or be paid, will differ).  But in the end, what do you have to lose?

Wish me luck!

Have any of you been accepted for a residency? Or perhaps been to Iceland?