If you’ve been diving into the world of publishing (whether traditional or self publishing), you’ve probably heard the term “author platform” thrown around. But what exactly is it, and why does everyone seem to think you need one?

An author platform is your ability to reach and sell books to people because of who you are or who you can reach. It’s not just about having a fancy website or thousands of Instagram followers: it’s about building genuine connections with readers who actually care abo...