It’s Not As Bad As You Think

Jane Friedman analyzes 2022 memoir deals to determine the role of platform in the author’s success.

Reprinted with permission, from The Hot Sheet.

In the last decade, I haven’t hosted a single class on the business of publishing that hasn’t led to at least one question along the lines of “How many social media followers do I need to satisfy an agent/publisher?” or “Do I need to join [social media outlet] to get a book deal?”

Is it really the case that writers need a sizable followin...