Stone Age Science Fiction/Fantasy - marketing?

[hej]

Hi. I could use some help on marketing my manuscript.
(I hope this is on topic. Regardless, I also have some questions on content, that I will post later.)
I have proofreaders, editors, and (many) readers, so I am not worried about the writing. Promoting it is another matter.
Here is what I have so far.
1. Web site
2. Illustrations
3. email server
I update the website regularly with content that complements my book. Set in Neolithic Europe, it involves an antiheroine who has escaped from captivity and sought refuge among strangers.
I find a dearth of popular material (e.g. hardly any TV shows) on the Stone Age, and I am at a loss for how both to reach people and to make my narritive appeal to them. The only book (series) that I can think of is Clan of the Cave Bear. But that's set in the Mesolithic (and, iirc, does not have a fantasy element). My tale occurs in the Neolithic, and the setting comes from the Kurgan Hypothesis, as detailed on the about page on my site.
How can I draw further attention to and advertise my unusual story so that agents will find it properly publicized?
--hej

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Remember the author is the brand and the book is only the product - draw them to you not the book

It sounds like you have a load of specialist knowledge - could you offer to help others?
Start networking. Build your personal following. Join communities.

 

[hej]

Remember the author is the brand and the book is only the product - draw them to you not the book

It sounds like you have a load of specialist knowledge - could you offer to help others?
Start networking. Build your personal following. Join communities.

Jo,
Thank you for your quick reply.

I am eager to help others, as I have for years in other fields. I have to be careful, as I can be very critical. I do strive for courtesy, so I guess I need not worry too much.

Could you elaborate on the last line of your response? I could use more specificity.

--hej

 

[Montero]

Probably means join SFF Chrons, Absolute Write, Goodreads and join in the community discussions in the way of a nice, normal human being. (As in socialise and contribute, don't perpetually promote your book.)

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Pretty much what @Montero said. But also local writing communities, or the convention community or whichever floats your boat.

You can only bring so much attention to yourself - a community can give you additional reach.

But a community requires you to extend others' reach too. Read their books, tell others about them (I'm a rubbish reviewer but I am a generous recommender of Chronners' books - most of those recs are invisible to the community and everyone will just have to take my word for it )

 

[DelActivisto]

That sounds like a fascinating book! It sounds like you're doing a lot of good marketing already. Try pitching the book to an agent on uniqueness. There's only so much medieval fantasy, vampire romance, and superhero stuff one can take!

Probably means join SFF Chrons, Absolute Write, Goodreads and join in the community discussions in the way of a nice, normal human being. (As in socialise and contribute, don't perpetually promote your book.)

Only join Chrons. Chrons is safe. Those other two are troll fests. Right @R.T James ?

 

[R.T James]

Avoid AW unless you fit a very specific mould.

Fantasy there must contain known places,and descriptions are a mortal sin so everything must be known by everybody before you place it to the page.

The Vor there run the gulag and attack those who don't follow blindly. They preach strict rules which hinder creativity.

However the Erotica section of that place is most active. I'll let you make the personal judgments and conclusions on that one.

I was told point blank by numerous members to set my pagan cultured steampunk Victorian urban fantasy in Paris... instead of the world I created. And to use more normal names.

I took this as absurdity and promptly ignored their advice!

 

[hej]

Oh wow. You guys have given me much to consider!

Thanks!

 

[Brian G Turner]

ow can I draw further attention to and advertise my unusual story so that agents will find it properly publicized?

If you're looking for an agent you don't publicize it - you simply submit it to them in the normal manner.

You only really need to worry about marketing at this stage if you think you're going to self-publish - in which case, the best marketing would be to keep writing and publishing the series.

 

[Phyrebrat]

And be mindful of not mentioning your work in every post; it’s a sure way to have the opposite effect.

As others have said, just sit back and participate in the community. Get to know people and their ‘stuff’ and they’ll get to know yours.

Welcome to Chrons, btw.

pH

 

[hej]

If you're looking for an agent you don't publicize it - you simply submit it to them in the normal manner.

You only really need to worry about marketing at this stage if you think you're going to self-publish - in which case, the best marketing would be to keep writing and publishing the series.

Hunh. I thought that agents want to see a platform -- a basis by which a writer can (eventually) sell the book.
Am I wrong, or have I misunderstood you?

 

[hej]

And be mindful of not mentioning your work in every post; it’s a sure way to have the opposite effect.

As others have said, just sit back and participate in the community. Get to know people and their ‘stuff’ and they’ll get to know yours.

Welcome to Chrons, btw.

pH

Thank you for your point. I catch your drift and will see what I can do.
I am very grateful for the replies I've received here. This place is a great resource. Thanks for the welcoming!
--hej

 

[Brian G Turner]

Hunh. I thought that agents want to see a platform -- a basis by which a writer can (eventually) sell the book.
Am I wrong, or have I misunderstood you?

Having a platform is one thing, but you specifically mentioned about advertising your story, which is a different thing entirely.

 

[hej]

Having a platform is one thing, but you specifically mentioned about advertising your story, which is a different thing entirely.

Thank you for the distinction.

 

[DelActivisto]

So on the nature of this conversation... how much of a reputation does one need to start cold querying agents? Like for me, I'm basically an unknown. No published stories or shorts or anything. I've got a blog. With like 5 posts.

Not to hijack hej's thread, but I feel like it's a relevant question. Is it sort of like being a new college grad and having everyone ask you how much experience you've got?

 

[Jo Zebedee]

So on the nature of this conversation... how much of a reputation does one need to start cold querying agents? Like for me, I'm basically an unknown. No published stories or shorts or anything. I've got a blog. With like 5 posts.

Not to hijack hej's thread, but I feel like it's a relevant question. Is it sort of like being a new college grad and having everyone ask you how much experience you've got?

Firstly - if the agent really likes the story it's all irrelevant. They'll offer and tell you to start a platform.

And if you have the biggest platform in the world with the worst book you would be lucky to get picked up.

Book first. All else is secondary

 

[DelActivisto]

Firstly - of the agent really likes the story it's all irrelevant. They'll offer and tell you to start a platform.

And if you have the biggest platform in the world with the worst book you would be lucky to get picked up.

Book first. All else is secondary

Is what I thought. Thanks.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Is what I thought. Thanks.

I should have added - marketable book first.

 

[DelActivisto]

I should have added - marketable book first.

Working on it.

 

[Montero]

You will also need to do plenty of work on the submission - the joy of the query letter and synopsis. They take time to learn how to do. Also you will find each publisher and agent wants something subtly different. If you think writing was hard, just you wait.........