Not All Platforms Are Created Equal
As conceived and understood in the publishing industry, an author's platform serves a limited and very utilitarian purpose -- it is what provides an author with the ability to sell books on a given subject. As explained by publishing industry expert Jane Friedman, the concept of an author's platform really only applies with respect to the non-fiction book market, where an author must have the ability to hold him or herself out as a knowledgeable expert, by one means or another, which enables their work to stand out in a crowded marketplace. According to Friedman, a platform is what confers the ability to sell books either because of who an author is or who they can reach, by whatever means. Thus the host of a popular television show, such as Oprah Winfrey or Jim Cramer, will have a built in author's platform thanks to their regular television appearances. The same is true for a politician, sports star or celebrity - anyone, in fact, who readily enjoys public visibili