 When I’m instructing at a writers’ conference, occasionally someone will raise their hand and try to point out flaws in my instruction. Here are some common examples regarding fiction:
Or the most prevalent nonfiction one:
Here are three quick things you should know if you’re trying to be a professional writer: 1. Never compare your work to a bestselling author because non-bestselling authors do not abide by the same rules. Do you know why the last Harry Potter books were extremely long and could probably have been even longer if J.K. Rowling wanted them to be? Because she made the publishing house a ton of money. Do you know why Dan Brown was able to start that novel with a dream? Because he made his publishing house oodles of dough. Once you become a bestselling author, you can pretty much do whatever you want. If you ever approach an editor or agent and try to justify something you’re doing by referencing a Stephen King book, you will immediately lose their attention. Stephen King is an established icon; you are not. He can do whatever he wants and play by his own rules; you can’t. 2. Never compare your work to books first published outside the United States unless you live outside the U.S. You’re trying to embark on a business deal with an American publisher, so don’t try to compare yourself to writers overseas. Don’t explain to an editor that two of your friends in Barcelona who got business books published had an army of publicists at your disposal, because that’s how they roll over in Spain. You don’t live in Spain, so don’t expect a comparison like that to hold any water. 3. Never assume what has happened in the past is still relevant today. This is a big one for authors who are trying to develop a writer platform. Here’s the gist: 10 years ago, an author didn’t truly need a platform, but now they do. That’s it. There is no way to argue this fact. Just deal with it and start working hard. I understand it would be nice to go back to the 90s, when things were easier and literary agents didn’t obsess about platform as much as they do today, but we can’t. When mapping your writing journey, look to peers who are active today, selling books today, using the technologies of today. They will be the ones you want to emulate and study. They will be the ones who will make great contacts. They will be the ones who are blazing a path that you can follow.  Attend a Writers Conference in 2026:
 This post by Chuck Sambuchino, freelance editor and lead director of Writing Day Workshops. Chuck is a former longtime staffer with Writer's Digest, editing the Guide to Literary Agents. He is the author of the writing guides CREATE YOUR WRITER PLATFORM and GET A LITERARY AGENT, as well as the bestselling humor book HOW TO SURVIVE A GARDEN GNOME ATTACK. His most recent books are all about pickleball -- daily tear-off calendars as well as the picture book GOODNIGHT, PICKLEBALL. He is a proud #GirlDad, movie geek, and guitar/piano player. Connect with him through WDW's Instagram and Twitter,
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