Do You Need an Agent Or a BOOk Deal to Market Yourself?
Do You Need an Agent Or a Book Deal to Start Building Your Writing Life?
One of the biggest misconceptions among aspiring writers is that “marketing yourself” only begins after you land an agent or sign a book deal.
As if there’s a magical point where someone in publishing taps you on the shoulder and says: Right. You may now have a website and post confidently online.
But the truth is far less dramatic — and much more encouraging.
Building a presence as a writer before publication isn’t only acceptable, it’s often incredibly helpful. Not because you need to become a personal brand or spend your life making TikToks, but because writing careers are built on connection long before they’re built on contracts.
And no, this doesn’t mean you need thousands of followers.
So… is this actually “a thing”?
Absolutely.
Although agents and publishers don’t insist on this, increasingly writers who already understand how to talk about their work, connect with readers, and participate in the wider literary world can help to elevate the book. That doesn’t mean you need celebrity-level visibility. It simply means being discoverable, engaged, and active in your writing life.
Think of it less as “marketing yourself” and more as quietly building your corner of the literary world.
What counts as marketing before publication?
Much more than you think.
It might include:
Starting a simple website with a short bio and contact details
Posting occasionally about books, writing, or your process on social media
Writing a newsletter
Publishing essays or short pieces online
Attending literary events and workshops
Joining writing communities
Supporting other writers
Entering competitions
Speaking about the subjects you write about
None of this requires permission.
And importantly: none of it requires pretending you’re already successful.
Readers respond far more warmly to authenticity than polish.
You are not “behind”
Many unpublished writers worry they’ll look presumptuous if they start posting publicly and calling themselves a “Writer.”. But emerging writers have always built literary communities around themselves. The tools are just different now.
In previous decades, that might have meant local writing groups, literary magazines, festivals, or correspondence with other writers. Today, some of that happens online instead.
· A thoughtful Substack post.
A conversation on Instagram.
A recommendation of a brilliant novel you’ve just read.
A reflection on writing while balancing work, family, or life.
These things matter because they help readers — and fellow writers — get to know you and as a result, your voice.
The best approach? Small, steady, sustainable
You do not need to become a content creator.
In fact, many writers burn out trying to “perform” online in ways that don’t suit them. The healthiest approach is usually the simplest one: choose one or two spaces that feel manageable and use them consistently.
If you hate social media, you do not have to force yourself onto every platform.
· A quiet newsletter once a month is enough.
A simple website is enough.
Showing up thoughtfully is enough.
The goal is not visibility. The goal is connection.
How Writers Can Use Linktree (Without Feeling Salesy)
If you’ve ever seen the phrase “link in bio” on Instagram or TikTok, chances are you’ve already encountered Linktree. For writers, it can be surprisingly useful, especially before you have a book deal, website, or complicated online presence. At its simplest, Linktree is just one page that holds all your important links in one place.
So instead of constantly changing the single link allowed in your Instagram or TikTok bio, you direct people to one central page containing everything they might want to explore.
What might a writer include on Linktree?
You don’t need dozens of links. In fact, simpler is usually better.
A writer’s Linktree might include:
Your newsletter signup
Your website
A page about your current writing project
Published essays or articles
Upcoming events or workshops
Your social media accounts
Book recommendations
A “work with me” or editing services page
Podcast appearances or interviews
Competition wins or publications
Think of it as a small welcome mat for your writing life.
Why it helps emerging writers
One of the hardest things about being unpublished is that your work often exists in lots of scattered places.
Maybe you have:
a Substack,
an Instagram account,
a short story in an online journal,
and a half-finished website.
Linktree gathers everything together neatly.
It also makes you easier to discover. If an agent, editor, journalist, or fellow writer comes across your social profile, they can immediately see what you’re working on and where to find more.
It’s particularly useful for newsletters
Many writers are now building newsletters long before publication.
A Linktree can make your newsletter the centrepiece of your online presence by putting the signup link at the very top.
This works well because readers often prefer joining an email list over following another social account.
Social media platforms change constantly. Email lists belong to you.
You don’t need to make it look corporate
This is where many writers hesitate.
There’s a fear that using tools like Linktree means turning yourself into a “brand”. But readers generally aren’t looking for polished marketing. They’re looking for personality, clarity, and connection.
Your Linktree can feel warm and personal.
For example, instead of:
“Newsletter”
you might write:
“Notes on writing, books, and creative life”
Instead of:
“Buy my services”
you might write:
“Editing and mentoring”
Small wording choices make a huge difference.
A few practical tips
Keep your most important link first
Usually this is:
your newsletter,
your latest article,
or your website.
Most people won’t scroll far.
Don’t overcrowd it
Five useful links are stronger than twenty random ones.
Update it regularly
If you’ve been published somewhere exciting or have an upcoming event, move that link higher up.
Use your real voice
You don’t need corporate language. Write like yourself.
Do writers actually use it?
Very much so.
Many published and emerging writers use Linktree (or similar tools like Beacons or Carrd) because it simplifies everything.
And importantly: you do not need to wait until you’re “officially” published to create one.
If you’re writing, sharing work, building community, or inviting readers into your world, you already have enough to link to. Sometimes sharing your writing struggles can create the most engagement.
Things that genuinely help writers early on
A few practical things do make a difference before publication:
A professional online presence
This sounds grander than it is. A clean website with your name, a short bio, and a contact page is often enough. It reassures agents, editors, journalists, event organisers, and readers that you exist beyond a Word document on your laptop.
An email newsletter
Newsletters are becoming one of the most valuable tools for writers because they create direct connection with readers without relying on algorithms. You don’t need hundreds of subscribers to begin. Ten engaged readers are more meaningful than thousands of passive followers.
Becoming part of the conversation
Publishing can feel closed-off when you’re starting out, but literary communities are often more welcoming than people expect.
Review books.
Recommend writers you admire.
Attend local events.
Support indie bookshops.
Join discussions.
Writing careers rarely grow in isolation.
What agents actually care about
This is where many writers panic unnecessarily. A huge social media following is not essential for most fiction writers in the UK market. Agents primarily care about the quality of the manuscript.
Always.
But if two writers are equally strong on the page, the writer who already understands readers, communicates well, and participates in the literary world may have an advantage.
Not because they’re famous — because they’re engaged.
For non-fiction writers, platform can matter more, especially if you’re writing in areas like lifestyle, business, politics, self-help, or memoir. In those cases, demonstrating expertise and audience connection can be important before publication.
But even then, depth matters more than sheer numbers.
You are allowed to take yourself seriously.
Perhaps this is the most important part. You do not become “a real writer” once someone validates you commercially. You are already building the work. Already learning the craft.
Already contributing to conversations that matter to you.
Publication may come later. Or differently than expected. But creating a meaningful writing life often begins long before any contract arrives. So yes — market yourself gently.
Introduce yourself as a writer.
Share your thoughts.
Build your community.
Claim a little space.
You do not need permission to begin. But if you do, I’m giving it to you! Keep on keeping on!
If you liked this post, do follow us on Instagram – link at the bottom of the page or find us Cheshirenovelprize – we often post writing tips on our page and we love to hear from you.
Kind regards
Sara