How many articles in which mags qualify me as an expert?

You're right in that there's no formula or X-number of articles that will establish your creds. Just focus on placing work in respectable publications. Don't ignore newspapers either and if you're truly a long-term thinker, you might consider trying to land a regular columnist's gig at either a paper or mag. It never hurts in a bio or query to say "KCathy has been the Pregnancy/Childbirth columnist for National BabyMaking Monthly for three years."

You'll know you've arrived when a young writer with an idea for an article about childbirth approaches you for an interview or quote.

What makes an expert?

I'm not sure that writing a lot about a topic will ensure your credibility or cause you to be viewed as an "expert". Such people usually have higher education degrees, special training, teach in colleges or universities or have extraordinary experience in a field.

If you insist on trying to gain credibility in a non-traditional fashion, you're going to have to do something outstanding or gain leadership positions. Even the writing route seems filled with stumbling blocks to me because to become an expert, you'll have to gather some pretty high-powered writing credits, but how will you gain an entre to the top publications when you have no credibility?

Maybe I've missed something. Not trying to be hard on you. Good luck!

If you publish articles frequently about one topic in reputable magazines, it shows editors that you have the ability to write and do research on that topic. It doesn't give you the same credibility as someone who works in that field (e.g. there is a difference between writing about motorcycle repair and working as a motorcycle mechanic.). The ability to accurately research a subject and write in a compelling way about it will get you into magazines and it is often enough to catch the interest of a publisher especially if you have a new slant on a topic. What will work against you is that you don't have a platform--well known name or credentials-- to sell the book that a working professional would have. A lot depends on the topic. Think of it this way: If you have a kid with cystic fibrosis, which book would you want to buy? One that was written by a pediatrician who works at a hospital that specializes in treating CF or one by a writer who researched the topic and wrote a book. The writer's book may be just as accurate and potentially take a broader pov than the doctor's book, but it is harder for publishers to sell because people assume the MD knows what he/she is talking about while they don't have a clue if the writer does.

With all due respect, I disagree with those who say you're better off being the doctor to write about the condition.

As you know, I've written a story about Asperger's, and the excitement about my book revolves around the fact that it's a fun, readable work. There are plenty of factual works by mental health professionals, but they are, well, dry. There is a place for both works. The dry and factual works provided critical information to professionals. Books like mine make something come alive for the general public. Both works meet a critical need in our society.

My publisher feels my platform - as one who lives with the condition - is just as fine a credential and any doctor's. Of course, the story is different, but all books are different.

Let's say, for argument's sake, that my book turns out to be a decent bestseller. Let's say that I subsequently decide to write a book about bipolar disorder. What's my platform? I wrote a best selling book on Asperger's, and now I've researched and made a book of engaging stories about bipolar disorder.

Would my publisher say I was unqualified to write it? I don't think so.

Some of the best known popular science or medicine books are written by writers who study the field and have storytelling talents.

You may not want to totally rule out the idea of co-writing with an expert. I just finished a project like this. My name will appear on the book (second billing, but that's actually fine with me). In other words, it's not a ghostwriting situation. Think of what co-writing a project with someone who has a "big name in the field" can do for you, your own platform and your potential book sales.

By being open to writing with someone with a bigger platform than my own, I will get to share in the "spotlight," while at the same time taking my own modest platform to a slightly higher level.

Granted, co-writing may not be for you. It's not for everyone. But I really ended up enjoying it, and I think that, depending on the circumstances, it can sometimes be a win-win situation for all involved (the co-authors, the agents, the editors, the publishing house, the booksellers AND the potential readers).

All I'm saying is "never say never" to the idea of co-writing. Look at how much success Jenna Glatzer has had with her co-written projects.

Cheers

-hopeful

I think one media appearance will go further than 100 articles. I'd say, start with radio. Be persistent. Pitch whatever hook or angle you can. Local. Mother's day. At Xmas, how Mary would've given birth 2,000 years ago. Sex while being pregnant on Howard Stern. Whatever it takes. Send a press release to the producer and follow up with a phone call. Practise so you sound interesting and not like most writers who sound like they'd rather be in front of their keyboard.

johnrobison said:

With all due respect, I disagree with those who say you're better off being the doctor to write about the condition.

As you know, I've written a story about Asperger's, and the excitement about my book revolves around the fact that it's a fun, readable work. There are plenty of factual works by mental health professionals, but they are, well, dry. There is a place for both works. The dry and factual works provided critical information to professionals. Books like mine make something come alive for the general public. Both works meet a critical need in our society.

My publisher feels my platform - as one who lives with the condition - is just as fine a credential and any doctor's. Of course, the story is different, but all books are different.

Let's say, for argument's sake, that my book turns out to be a decent bestseller. Let's say that I subsequently decide to write a book about bipolar disorder. What's my platform? I wrote a best selling book on Asperger's, and now I've researched and made a book of engaging stories about bipolar disorder.

Would my publisher say I was unqualified to write it? I don't think so.

Some of the best known popular science or medicine books are written by writers who study the field and have storytelling talents.

Click to expand...

Living with the disease IS the platform as you have said. It makes you the expert - a different kind of an expert from a medical professional, but still an expert. That first-hand experience coupled with lively writing it is probably what attracted the publisher to the book in the first place. Once you've written regularly for a major newspaper or national magazine or have a book that sells through its advance, the situation changes (and by that time you almost always have an agent, too) and having a personal platform becomes less important than the ability to write well on a topic that has broad enough sales appeal to make a publisher smile.I've had first-hand experience with this. My 3rd nonfiction book was sold to a publisher on the basis of a 6 paragraph summary. This would not have happened if I didn't have a track record with similar books.

The situation is different when you are trying to break into book publishing. Obviously people do it all the time, but more and more publishers want some sort of built-in audience for that first book, because the bottom line for the publisher is sales, and with a new author in the already crowded field of parenting, they have to have some way to justify their investment in the book (which, incidentally is a whole, whole lot more than the author advance). Fair, no, probably not. Practical, absolutely from the publisher's point of view.

I think your plan sounds good. Start small (like you did) and keep going (like you are). If professional (education, licensure) credentials were enough, I would not be getting the rejections I have (or the stunned silences from people I have pitched)! Professional credentials are not enough. Platform is not restricted to the initials after one's name. Chipping away (like you're doing) seems far more effective.

Just my opinion, from a BSN, RN, CNM, MS....

Every article you contribute, every presentation you give, every booklet or pamphlet you write and distribute and every bit of experience you gain all contribute to your platform. Just keep building it one block (one article--one presentation) at a time. Become known at sites related to your topic, participate in their forums, write for their newsletters, get interviewed, join, volunteer.

Not only are you building a platform, but you are building bridges and making friends which will result in open doors to promoting your book once it is published. None of this is a waste of time.

Patricia Fry, President
SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network)
www.spawn.org
www.matilijapress.com
www.matilijapress.com/publishingblog

A couple of random thoughts:
It's a sorry world when a hardworking writer can't publish a book and OJ can. (Don't bump off your hubby to get publishing credibility.)

I think we all have to start from where we are. You're who you are and God's happy with it. If they want someone else (read with credentials) there's very little anyone can do. Your agent's probably right, a book by Dr. So and so would be an easier sell. Then again, maybe the agent's just lazy.

In my opinion there's sometimes so much easy money laying around that a lot of people don't work as hard as they could. We experienced this buying a car. "Do you have that in blue?" "I dunno, walk out to the back of the lot and find out. See somethin' ya like, let me know. I'll write it up for you."

That said, I noticed that you admitted shying away from the some of the top tier markets. Why? You're just as good as the next guy. Go for it. What do you have to lose?
When I was freelancing magazines I queried National Geographic and Smithsonian along with the regionals. Now, I'll confess that most of stuff ended up in regionals, but it sure felt good to get a reply from one of the big boys who returned an article with a note: "Not for us, but I loved it."

I'd suggest you study the mags that you consider the best and query them. Have you looked at the giveaways? My kids are all grown, but I remember them in every Dr. office and baby dept.

Good Luck. It all comes down to perseverance.

johnrobison said:

With all due respect, I disagree with those who say you're better off being the doctor to write about the condition.

Click to expand...

I disagree too (though I haven't written a book- yet!). Many parents are reaching a point where they are questioning their mainstream pediatricians and doctors because they advise routine testing and pharmaceuticals (including vaccinations) that are thought to possibly cause damage.

Today's parents (and I am one of them) seem to be searching for more natural solutions to health care. Naturopathic doctors are now quoted in many magazines, and the training to become an ND varies greatly in many states. The days of people taking "expert" advice just because it comes from an MD seem to be ending (IMO).

My absolutely non-professional opinion would be to take a doula course. I know, it takes money and effort, but it will help you to gain valuable skills that will make you seem more official. Otherwise, I'd say that you have to write for parenting mags until you get accepted on your name alone, and that ain't easy!

I've thought about this question some more, and I think "being" something as opposed to "being a professional working with something" is not a good analogy in your situation. For me, as an Aspergian, I'm a member of a small group. Autism affects 1 person in 166. So a person who's autistic and can write is rare. Comparatively, parents who can write are not rare.

I think in your case the road to publication is probably through establishing yourself in various parenting magazines, websites, and possibly other media outlets.

Would your book benefit from being published before you build-up a platform - with all its definitional permutations? Can you wait? Is it worthwhile to do so?

Like the others said, there's no formula. But you are establishing your platform, which is key; but you might try pitching some of the bigger magazines with your articles as well. You should definitely see the thread by Jenna, Laurie and Poppa F on the non-fiction proposal, where Jenna covers platform in detail. Here
While you might not want to work with an expert in the field to co-write, it might help to ask one to contribute/consult or to write the foreword. In the time frame that you've set for yourself (three to five years) you have ample time to build your platform, not only in magazine articles but by getting involved in parenting/pregnancy communities. I wouldn't limit yourself to smaller pubs, even now, since you do have clips. Pitch la leche league, fit pregnancy, mothering (even if they're tough to get into), pitch some of the parenting blogging communities. It can't hurt...the worse they can say is "no," so you dust yourself off, find out what will sell to them and pitch again.

HTH

Best of luck with it.

Have you thought about gaining experience in a roundabout way? For example, at the social service agency where I did my internship, there were several parenting programs. Although they had some professionals, their budget was very limited so they were happy for any volunteers they could lay their hands on. For those without professional training, they had their own training programs for several of the parenting programs. By volunteering your time in something like that, you could say, "I was a leader in the Parents Care and Share Program" or "I facilitated Positive Parenting classes at a major social services provider." Just a thought!

If a platform is about not only establishing yourself a an expert, but also providing you a way to get the word out about your book, I think there's plenty of things you could think about do to create a platform for publishing besides professional creds. Some examples:

• publish articles
• write a column (bonus points for high profile and longevity)
• public speaking
• teach classes in related subject
• start an organization
• start a company
• do consulting work - esp. for big household names
• interview hundreds of people
• have outrageous life experience/story loosely related to what you're writing (think Vicki Iovine's Playboy story - sexy+spunky=girlfriend's guides)
• marry someone famous

Okay, maybe not all of them are ideal for you. Brainstorm your own list. I, for one, am making a list of single famous people I can build a platform off of. I don't know what book I want to write yet, but I figure it pays to be prepared.

My story might help

Writing articles has led me to not only be considered an expertin my field, it led me to be hired by a publishing house as a series editor on the same subject. Both were very unexpected results.

I started writing non fiction articles as a way to improve my working conditions in a very misunderstood profession (as a judicial interpreter) by educating my market (lawyers and judges). 25 years ago, there was little to no training for interpreters but we could be jailed or fined if we were perceived to have interpreted incorrectly. The task at hand was to get judges and lawyers to think differently...and maybe change the system while I was at it. To get them to even listen I interviewed well known lawyers and judges for their opinions on problems they had with interpreters as they perceived them, mentioning potential solutions and I listened carefully to their reactions. I wrote, in their voice and keeping the reader in mind, offering the solutions responded to positively. I combined this with ongoing writing training learning about writing and getting published. The demand for my articles grew from local publications to national magazines mirroring the pay scale of free copies to being paid handsomely.

My resume expanded with clips. I then turned my attention to my professional colleagues- my fellow interpreters and I followed the same procedure. One distinction I found fascinating was that interpreters I would quote were well known due to only the job title they had achieved not their name. Now these publications did not pay but added clips and credibility to my name. I was then asked to lecture at the growing interpreting conferences which I learned to do before trying. I got fan mail which really moved me. I was asked to autograph my articles which I had never heard of happening to a writer. I was elected to office in these professional organizations instantaneously and pretty much against my will. I got sucked into organizational politics and my writing suffered.

Then my market, through their bar associations, asked me to lecture them (gasp, choke) so they would get the sought after continuing education credits. That was when the premier publishing house in the professional and scholarly genre of foreign languages sent it's owners to ask me to be their series editor on the very first series of texts on interpreting. I said yes, without any clue as to what a series editor did.

That was eight years ago. We published the first instructional text for United Nations interpreters and I have had the joy of helping my own clients write their first books. I helped develop and pass the first laws regulating court interpreters. We now have university programs on interpreting. I now watch young interpreters enjoy the respect they deserve. I also see judges and lawyers acknowledge the skill required in this job and thank us for our work.
So my suggestions are:
Consider your purpose.
Consider your market and your readers
Consider your colleagues and competitors
Keep up training in both writing and your field (I tally mine in hours)
Be wary of organizational politics, but use organizations to network.
Write for free and for pay.
Hope this helps!

i share your frustration with platform, as I had a similar situation.

I think the hard part is that having three kids isn't necessarily the platform people need to see on a book (saying this as a mom of three myself, and totally not meaning this as a put-down). You know that every mom has at least 10 different opinions on everything related to childrearing...so it can be hard to "rise above the masses" on a subject like this without those medical credentials.

I think writing for lots of publications is a good step, but I think you may need to get some kind of experience or credentials working with women in labor. Whether that be through volunteering or getting a doula license. This is just my opinion, but I think the motherhood subject is a bit unique, since it's a common experience.

I was just talking to a friend of mine who wants to write a book for other people suffering from the same illnesses that she has -- and she has no platform either (besides blogging). I told her the same thing - make your angle unique, so it hasn't already been done. I told her to market it as "tips for surviving and thriving with XYZ condition". Not a medical memoir, for example.

I hope this helps, i know I'm rambling. heh.

Hmmm....I've seen a lack of ample discussion on online platforms. With all the talk of newspaper and magazines in this string, I wouldn't want this aspiring author to overlook the power of building an online presence. There are tons of websites for moms, soon-to-be-moms, hopeful moms, etc. How can you build your presence there is another question to answer. Those writing credentials can lead to bigger gigs or you can create your own online empire, if you have the will.