I thought I was supposed to write

I learned a new use for an old word last week. It’s “platform.” In classes at the Write-to-Publish Christian writers conference last week at Wheaton College, I learned publishers and agents now expect writers to spend much of their time building a “platform” they can use to promote their book. They’re expected to develop large followings through web sites, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and whatever new manifestation of social media that started up last week. It’s all about numbers. A teacher said that for every hour spent writing, you should spend two working on on your platform. They mean it. It’s a lot different from the days when you were done when you received a letter with the words: “We accepted your book.”