Most new authors assume they need to finish their book before they can start building an audience. I get why... it feels safer to wait until you have something “real” to show.
But that belief is exactly why so many debuts publish, see almost no sales, and immediately feel like giving up.
It’s not that their books are awful. It’s that they neglected the marketing side of things and now it’s too late (or too overwhelming) to start from zero.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to build an author platform even if you’re unpublished, introverted, or allergic to social media.
What is an author platform?
A lot of advice makes “author platform” sound like PR jargon. That’s why so many writers avoid it.
Let’s strip it down.
Your author platform is your ability to reach readers and keep them coming back.
It’s made up of four pillars:
1. Visibility: How readers discover you (Pinterest, SEO, community spaces like Reddit, occasional social posts).
2. Trust: Why they stick around (i.e., your voice, your ideas, your story).
3. Connection: Your ongoing relationship with your audience (your email list, newsletters, comments, replies).
4. Consistency: Your ability to show up regularly in a way that feels sustainable, not soul-crushing.
And none of these require a finished book.
How to create an author platform (step-by-step guide)
Step 1: Choose your reader identity
You can’t build a platform for “everyone.”
You’re building it for your readers, aka the people who will vibe with your stories.
Think of this as: Who would love the world you’re creating?
Possible reader identities:
- Romantasy readers who love slow burn + magic
- Cozy fantasy people who want gentle, low-stakes escapism
- Dark academia fans
- Grimdark readers craving morally gray chaos
- YA fantasy readers who want found family and adventure
A quick exercise:
My future readers enjoy stories that are…(choose 3–5)
- Magical
- Dark
- Whimsical
- Spicy
- Mythology-inspired
- Emotionally heavy
- Political
- Character-driven
- Atmospheric
This becomes the foundation for your tone, visuals, newsletter ideas, and community interactions.
Step 2: Create your author website
Your author website is the one thing you can fully control. And you don’t need anything fancy to get started.
Author website starter:
Example of an author website
- A short bio (About Me)
- A simple WIP (Work-In-Progress) description (2–3 sentences max)
- A newsletter sign-up form
- A clean, on-brand vibe
- A blog page if you want to publish reader-attracting articles
That’s it.
This matters more than social media because your audience belongs to you (no one can take it away or shut you down), you can grow steadily without pressure to “perform,” and publishers (+ readers) trust an author website more than a random TikTok clip.
This leads us to your most important platform asset…
Step 3: Start your author mailing list
This is the core of your author platform.
Your author mailing list does what social media can’t, which is to reach your readers directly.
Readers who join your email list:
- Want updates
- Want your story
- Want to connect with you
- Become the most loyal fans
Ideas on how to grow an email list as a writer
Here are a few easy ideas that don’t require a finished book:
- WIP updates
- Character intro cards
- Aesthetic boards
- Lore snippets
- Behind-the-scenes writing struggles
- Maps
- Mood playlists
- Chapter zero teasers
- Your favorite fantasy books
- Your writing wins and fails
Do not overthink it. Readers are rooting for you, so just let them in.
Step 4: Share your writing journey
This is the “trust” pillar of your author platform.
Contrary to what you might think, readers don’t need you to be an expert. They want to follow a story in progress.
Here’s what actually builds trust when building an audience as an author:
- Showing your drafting process
- Talking through character arcs
- Sharing worldbuilding decisions
- Letting readers see your excitement
- Vulnerability (struggles, doubts, messy creative moments)
Your journey is the content.
Step 5: Pick one discoverability channel
Don’t try to be everywhere.
Don’t chase algorithms.
Don’t burn out.
Pick one search-based channel for visibility:
1. Pinterest
Pros
- Works like a search engine, not a social platform.
- Pins can bring traffic for months or even years.
- Low maintenance once your graphics are published.
- Perfect for writers who hate being “on” all the time.
Cons
- It’s slow at the beginning (Pinterest needs time to index your pins).
- You need consistent visuals (not aesthetic, just consistent).
- Readers don’t usually comment or interact — it’s discovery-only.
How to use it
Use Pinterest to attract readers who love your genre’s vibes:
- WIP graphics
- worldbuilding charts
- character boards
- maps
- lore snippets
- moodboards
- high-value blog posts
Think of Pinterest as the “top of funnel”: it gets the right people to your website, then your email list does the rest.
2. Blogging + SEO
Pros
- Amazing long-term traffic if you choose the right topics.
- Helps you build authority in your niche.
- You own it.
- Perfect for readers who like depth, lore, and essays.
Cons
- SEO takes time (expect 3–6 months to see traction).
- Requires regular posting, especially early on.
- If your topics are too “writer-focused,” you won’t attract readers, only other authors.
How to use it
Blog about things your ideal reader already loves. Not just writing craft.
Examples:
- Themes inside your book
- Tropes you’re using
- Worldbuilding deep dives
- Mythic inspirations
- Character archetypes
- Books you love in the same genre
- Lore breakdowns
- Arcs you’re using in your WIP
Use each post to lead readers closer to your world and your voice. This is also where you can link to your email list or your freebie.
3. YouTube
Pros
- Builds trust insanely fast (readers feel like they know you).
- Can attract a dedicated audience even before your book exists.
- Great for explaining lore, sharing WIP updates, or doing cozy “write with me” content.
- You can repurpose clips for other platforms if you want.
Cons
- Highest effort: Recording, editing, thumbnails, titles.
- Consistency matters more here than anywhere else.
- Growth is slower if you don’t show your face (not impossible, but slower).
How to use it
Use YouTube for connection and storytelling, not constant writing vlogs.
Here’s what works well for fiction authors:
- “Deep dive” videos about your magic system
- Mythological research vlogs
- Worldbuilding breakdowns
- Character intro videos
- Cosy writing sessions
- Lore or aesthetic playlists
- Reactions to books in your subgenre
If Pinterest is your discoverability engine, YouTube becomes your bonding space. It’s the place where readers attach to you, not just your story.
Step 6: Build your author brand
Your author brand is not a logo or color palette (you’re not a company). Your author brand is the emotional tone readers associate with you.
Think: What does someone feel when they read your stories or your emails?
Build your author brand using these three pillars:
1. Voice: Witty? Dark? Soft? Academic? Cozy?
Your author email list is the perfect place to refine this.
2. Vibe: Aesthetic choices: Dark fantasy, cottagecore, romantasy, high magic, outer space, cozy, arcane tech.
3. Values: What do you stand for creatively? Found family? Women’s rage? Hope? Moral ambiguity? Mythic retellings?
This becomes the “flavor” of everything you share.
Step 7: Connect with the reader/writer community
Authors often assume networking = self-promo.
Nope.
Networking is simply showing up in the spaces where readers already hang out, adding value, and being human.
Here are the most effective community channels:
Hugely underrated for author platform building.
On Reddit, you can:
- Share your writing journey in r/fantasywriters (there are subreddits for all genres)
- Ask for feedback in r/DestructiveReaders or r/writing
- Talk theories and tropes in r/Fantasy
- Participate in character or worldbuilding discussions
- Share aesthetic boards or progress updates (where appropriate)
Reddit rewards depth, not aesthetics.
Discord communities
Discord is a great place to build genuine relationships with both readers and writers across any genre.
On Discord, you can:
- Join genre-specific servers (romance, thriller, sci-fi, horror, YA, etc.)
- Participate in reader discussions, book clubs, and trope chats
- Ask for feedback in writing-focused servers (critique channels, beta reader spaces)
- Share WIP snippets or progress updates in designated channels
- Hang out in themed communities (cozy reads, dark fiction, romantasy, mystery enthusiasts)
- Connect with early readers in a casual, low-pressure environment
Be present, be helpful, and follow each server’s vibe. Promotion is usually allowed only in specific channels (if at all) so focus on being part of the community, not pushing your book.
Other authors’ newsletters
An underrated way to build real relationships in the writing and reading community is through other authors’ newsletter.
In other authors’ newsletters, you can:
- Reply to their emails with genuine thoughts or encouragement
- Ask thoughtful questions about their process, books, or insights
- Become a familiar name in their inbox (authors absolutely notice this)
- Build connections that lead to cross-promo opportunities later
- Support authors you admire without needing a public platform
This works far better than trying to network through Instagram comments. Email feels more personal.
Content you actually consume
One of the simplest, most organic ways to become part of the ecosystem is by commenting on content you consume.
By commenting on content you genuinely enjoy, you can:
- Join discussions on YouTube essay videos related to your genre or themes
- Leave thoughtful responses on blog posts or craft articles you read
- Participate in Substack discussions where authors and readers mingle
- Add insights, ask questions, or share an example (without self-promo)
- Become recognizable over time as someone who adds value
This builds visibility without any “marketing” because you’re showing up as a real human.
Common author platform mistakes (and how to avoid them)
- Waiting until the book is done → You lose momentum and visibility.
- Trying to grow on every platform → Spreads you thin. Pick one discoverability channel.
- Focusing more on social media than email → Algorithms don’t care about you. Your list does.
- Thinking author platform = popularity → When author platform actually = connection + clarity.
- Not offering a simple freebie → Readers need a reason to join your list.
- Being inconsistent → Unnecessary perfectionism kills author platform growth.
Your author platform checklist
An author platform shouldn’t be something you build after you publish. It’s something that should grow alongside your writing.
You don’t need a finished book, a viral post, or 15,000 followers.
Here’s your author platform checklist that lists things you do need:
✓ A clear reader identity
✓ A simple author website (or landing page)
✓ An email list
✓ A channel to attract people
✓ A place to connect
✓ One or two consistent ways to show up
If you start now, your future launch becomes 10× easier because people already care.
Pre-Launch Marketing Course for Indie Authors
If you want a complete system for building your platform while you write — email list, newsletters, freebie, content strategy, reader attraction, Pinterest growth — I teach all of it inside my Pre-Launch Marketing Course for Indie Authors.
Be the first to know when enrollment opens.
Frequently asked questions about how to build an author platform
Do I need an author platform before publishing?
Short answer: yes. You don’t need a giant audience, but you do need a place for readers to find you, learn about your book, and stay connected. Without a platform, most debuts launch to silence simply because no one knows the book exists yet.
How long does it take to build an author platform?
Expect 6–12 months of gradual growth. You’re not trying to go viral — you’re building a steady base of readers who care about your stories. Starting early makes your launch dramatically smoother.
What matters most in an author platform?
Your author email list. Everything else (Pinterest, blogging, YouTube) exists to bring the right people back to a place you actually control. Your list is where trust, connection, and reader loyalty happen.
Can I build an author platform without social media?
Absolutely. Many authors do. Search-based channels like Pinterest, SEO, blogs, and community engagement (Reddit, Discord, Substack) work extremely well for writers who don’t want the constant pressure of posting on Instagram or TikTok.
){kind=link}