Nonfiction authors (aside from memoirists) have a double burden in the query when it comes to their bio note: in addition to sharing your credentials or authority on the subject matter, you also need to demonstrate you have a platform. Meaning: You may have a killer idea or message to share with the world, but for most nonfiction, unless you have platform muscle, it’s unlikely that New York publishers will be interested in your book.

Platform basically equates to visibility, or the ability to sell books. You should have visibility to the specific target audience you expect to buy your book. And it’s not enough to say you have visibility—you have to be able to point to it, quantify it, and show how you’re ready to lift off into the stratosphere of book sales.

What you should mention

• Publication credits or publishing history—especially if you’ve previously published any part of the work at a major website, magazine, or literary journal. Be specific about your credits for this to be meaningful.
• Any professional background or experience that’s relevant to the content of the book and your authority to write it
• Any professional recognition or awards you’ve received—or positions that you hold—that give you visibility to influencers or to your readership
• Relevant national or mainstream media attention you’ve received
• Any ongoing gigs that put you in front of the target audience (columns, podcasts, radio/TV shows, and so on)
• The size of your current audience through online or offline media
• Any major personalities or influencers who have agreed to write a foreword or blurb your book

Is platform really that important?

For competitive nonfiction categories like self-help, parenting, cooking, health, business, relationships, it is usually critical. An agent or Big Five editor expects you to have a platform. Read editor Eric Nelson on the importance of platform for six-figure deals.