This fall my travels took me to Utah, home of some of the most lovely mountainside vistas I’ve yet had the pleasure of viewing in person. My first trip to a writers conference out west was a grand success, with a full crowd in the large banquet room (I’m guessing about 100 people in the crowd based on the table sizes), warm and lively conversations over meals, and the chance to meet a whole new community of hard-working writers.

For the League of Utah Writers I gave my talk, Your Author Platform: Why Background Matters, and How to Get the Right One.

In today’s highly saturated book market, a strong publicity and marketing campaign requires that authors have a solid platform to get the kind of attention necessary for sales. But what is a platform, what is it used for, and how do you build one? How does it affect your book deal, or whether you get one at all? How does it help you sell more books? Discover how acquiring editors and agents think and get the edge you need to get your book published and sold.

We had an excellent time chatting about the publishing industry and what it takes to get a manuscript into saleable shape. Some of my audience members said:

Without question, Ally was one of the most popular attractions at the roundup.–Mike Eldredge, President, League of Utah Writers

Ally’s passion for what she does is incredibly motivating.–Adrienne Monson, American Fork, UT

Thanks to Mike Eldredge and the rest of the League for having me out to speak at their gathering. For more information about the League of Utah Writers, which has chapters all throughout the state, check out their website at www.luwriters.org

Founder of The Writer’s Ally, Ally E. Machate is a bestselling book collaborator, award-winning editor, and expert publishing consultant who loves using her insider knowledge and experience with the publishing industry to lead serious authors toward success. She and her team live to help make great books happen, whether that means showing a writer how to improve a manuscript, get an agent, or self-publish; or coaching an author on growing her platform to sell more books. Since 1999, she has supported hundreds of authors on their publishing journey and takes pride in serving as their books’ best ally.