Nathan Bransford - The Forums

An agent (more accurately his assistant) contacted me requesting a sample, and also a "marketing list." Can anyone tell me what this is? I did not hear of it when researching the query process.

Is this for fiction or non-fiction?

Yes, I'm with HilaryJ. If it's non-fiction, marketing is supposed to be part of the proposal. If it fiction, that's a new one, but...given the push for viral marketing it wouldn't surprise me. For fiction, I'm guessing a 'marketing list' is where and when you plan to promote it - what social networking you plan to do....

You could also ask the assistant what they meant...

It's a memoir, which seems to have characteristics of both fiction and non-fiction when it comes to trying to sell one... I'm going to put together a list of demographics that would be most interested in this project and send it along with the other attachments, and mention that if additional materials are requested I can provide them.

I think this is more about what you can do to market the book -- how many blog/Twitter/Facebook followers you have, contacts you might have that you could utilize, networks, speaking platforms, publishing credits, things like that.

But honestly, if anyone is confused about what an agent is asking them to provide, there is no shame in writing back to have them clarify. No such thing as a stupid question and all that.

That makes more sense to me for nonfiction work, although the publisher(though usually not the agent) will ask for something similar on fiction as well, but usually later in the process.

Seriously? Hm. *adds another thing on my to do list before sending out queries*

HilaryJ - it may be that some agents are starting to request this with fiction books. My guess is that publishers are wanting authors to engage in marketing and social networking.

I have concerns about this. I believe it's a misunderstanding of what really spurs viral marketing. I think viral marketing is much more about content that happens to stike a chord at a particular time han anything else.

But content and timing are very hard to control, and I think publishers are looking for an idea that is controllable. So they are pressuring authors to social network. Which I belive is unfortunate, because it takes authors away from writing and creating that very content that might hit a nerve.

But regardless, that's probably what's happening with this particular agent's assistant.

Mira wrote:HilaryJ - it may be that some agents are starting to request this with fiction books. My guess is that publishers are wanting authors to engage in marketing and social networking.

I have concerns about this. I believe it's a misunderstanding of what really spurs viral marketing. I think viral marketing is much more about content that happens to stike a chord at a particular time han anything else.

My agent said it's two-fold. One is to let the publisher know whether you are engaged in self-promotion. Fine. Two is to let them know where they might be able to more successfully advertize you (if you're part of certain organizations or contribute to publications, groups, etc).

At the end of the day, the final word I hear from everyone is what word-of-mouth is what takes a well-marketed or unknown book to great heights. Getting that book in front of the talkers is about all you or the publisher have any control over.

It's a memoir, which seems to have characteristics of both fiction and non-fiction when it comes to trying to sell one..

I have had this same question- Thanks for bringing it up. I am now starting to realize, that similar to Nathan said, even unpublished, having a website for your work, or the book itself, or identifying that you have a readership elsewhere is something some agents look for.

I am toying with the idea of building a website now. I always assumed that I'd want to have an agent/publisher's input into how to they want to "brand" me/the book before such a thing, but I guess you have to start early and often!