Youtube credit in query letter?

Klazart · Jan 19, 2009

This has to be the wierdest question that's been asked on these forums.. but here goes anyway...

I have a youtube page with over 7,000 subscribers and over 700k channel views. Now, this page has NOTHING to do with writing or literature or fiction. It sprung up from an unrelated hobby of mine and became ridiculously popular within a niche gaming community. Anyway, many of my 'fans,' know that i've been working on a novel for some time. They keep asking about it, and when it will be published and want to buy it when it comes out (without knowing anything about it).

So I'm wondering if it's a good idea to mention in my query? That there's a good chance I could probably generate about 3-4k sales through my unrelated youtube hobby?

I know that's not a lot, but I've been told that for literary novels 4-5k is considered a pretty decent amount of sales (especially in the part of the world where I live), and that would be through a traditionally untapped/unrelated market.

Pros / Cons

Pros

1) I'm showing them that I'm thinking about creative/unique ways of selling the book
2) There is less of a risk for a publisher to take with me since they are likely to make back their money through these sales?
3) That I have some sort of platform, though not the sort that "real" celebrities enjoy obviously.

Cons

1) If the writing is good enough the book should get an agent/publisher anyway?
2) It might seem like a cheap tactic and make the agent feel that I don't believe enough in my own work to let it stand on its own?

I'm not sure what to do and any advice would be greatly appreciated. I just feel that I have something that might give me an edge and might help push an agent that is teetering to over the line? Or am I being completely naieve here?

I could link to my youtube page if people want to check it out and see what I'm talking about, but I don't want to do this without permission first.

Thanks in advance

Klazart

p.s. not sure if this is the correct forum to be posting this!

Danthia · Jan 19, 2009

This is a great thing to mention after you get an offer, but having this doesn't say squat about your book or your skill as a writer. At the query stage, what's important is the book. If the book isn't good, anything else you can bring to the table won't matter.

The only way this might push an agent over the line is if you're book is something that's hard to market, and you can show a ready-made audience. But just because you have fans who like your videos, doesn't mean they'll read your book unless it's on the same topic. And the book still has to be something the agent is interested in in the first place.

I'd skip it and focus on showing an agent a fantastic novel they can sell.

Oh, this is based on the assumption that this is a novel. If this is non-fiction, then yes, mention it, as it helps to establish platform and all that. (The non-fiction folks can be more specific)

Hillgate · Jan 19, 2009

If the subject matter of your book was online forums or gaming communities, then it might be relevant to mention it in your query letter. If not, it's like saying you have three thousand friends who will buy a copy. Probably best to leave it out!!!

Fenika · Jan 19, 2009

It's funny how many people will claim to want to buy something, but when it comes to doing so....

Particularly since they don't know squat about it. They are just being rabid fans. When it comes time to step up? Who knows, but I'd be surprised if 50% followed through.

NicoleMD · Jan 19, 2009

Is there any way you can tie your community to themes in the book? If you can manage, I think it would be okay if you sneak in an unobtrusive sentence, or half sentence in which you list a couple other hobbies/credits. 7000 voices could be very effective at generating word of mouth, even if a small percentage buy them.

Nicole

Klazart · Jan 19, 2009

thanks to everyone for the advice. Seem's pretty unambiguous

Prawn · Jan 19, 2009

I have your perfect submission plan: find an agent that plays the game that your youtube site is about, and query him!

TravisKerr · Jan 19, 2009

Wow, that's really cool about the youtube thing.

And I agree with the above statements, don't say anything about it haha; just think about the extra sales as just a little bonus

Gillhoughly · Jan 19, 2009

:editor's hat on:

3) That I have some sort of platform, though not the sort that "real" celebrities enjoy obviously.

I hear "platform" so often, that it's become meaningless. It is especially meaningless when you are not a celeb.

Too many other hopefuls have used it in their query and while it's nice, it doesn't help unless it is directly related to the book you're pitching.

Your words all on their own have to sell to me first.

Cons 1) If the writing is good enough the book should get an agent/publisher anyway?

Bingo!

Why do you have that in the "Cons" area? That's the biggie.

Write well and sell.

2) It might seem like a cheap tactic and make the agent feel that I don't believe enough in my own work to let it stand on its own?

It just tells me you are very enthusiastic, but don't know how things work in publishing. Editors and agents are focused on whether your words will sell in a bookstore. They won't be all that concerned about YouTube fans. They have to sell your words to the company Suits, not your videos.

Sell your words first, then, when you and your new agent have an agreement, you can mention it.

Publishing is slow. Many of your current fans will have moved on to other hobbies by the time your book hits the stores.

It took me two years to sell my first novel--and I was on the FAST track! After signing the contract (that took 6 months) it was another 18 months before the book was released.

Where will you and the YouTube fans be in four years (maybe more)?

I'm hoping you will have 5 NEW books finished by then.

It's not about selling just the first book--it's selling the books that come after it.

Good luck!

scope · Jan 19, 2009

Ditto to all the above. I wouldn't suggest you mention it unless the subject of your book is specific to those who visit your YouTube page. If, based on your query, an agent is interested in representing you, I would leave it as an off-the-cuff remark to make to her at the appropriate time.

Klazart · Jan 19, 2009

yup, you guys are right obiviously. Dreams to funny things to the head

THanks again to everyone for helping me gain some clarity on this.

blacbird · Jan 19, 2009

Klazart said:
That I have some sort of platform, though not the sort that "real" celebrities enjoy obviously.

I too have a platform. It sits in front of my desk, is made of oak, and has a pillow on it to keep my butt from chafing.

caw

Jcomp · Jan 20, 2009

If the book was more directly related to your youtube channel, or your channel was getting up in the millions of views (700k is good, but by Youtube standards isn't the most spectacular number in the world). Internet "celebrity" isn't the worst thing in the world to have as far as marketing goes, you just have to be certain you stand out and have a solid fanbase. I'm wagering that if Ben "Yahtzee" Crenshaw who does the popular Zero Punctuation videos for The Escapist wrote a video-game related novel he'd have people willing to buy based on knowing he's entertained them before, even if it was by video as opposed to book.

Scott Sigler also jumps to mind as a guy who used an internet platform (podcasting) to launch a writing career. The thing is, again, you have to show that the book is relevant to the fanbase and that the fanbase is damn loyal and active. If you can do that, I'd say put it in the query.

Nateskate · Jan 20, 2009

Lol, you never know who your fans are. But it's probably not a bad place to hang a query if you can express your book really well.

The only problem with an "open" query is that it might be hard to construct in such a way that it's not filled with spoilers.

Nateskate · Jan 20, 2009

Gillhoughly said:
:editor's hat on:

It took me two years to sell my first novel--and I was on the FAST track! After signing the contract (that took 6 months) it was another 18 months before the book was released.

Where will you and the YouTube fans be in four years (maybe more)?

I'm hoping you will have 5 NEW books finished by then.

It's not about selling just the first book--it's selling the books that come after it.

Good luck!

I'm glad you shared this. I haven't hit 18 months yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if I pass you. It's just nice to know that it's not uncommon.

Youtube credit in query letter?

Klazart

Danthia

Hillgate

On location

Fenika

NicoleMD

Onomatopotamus

Klazart

Prawn

Writing is finite,revising infinite

TravisKerr

Gillhoughly

Grumpy writer and editor

scope

Commonsensical Maverick

Klazart

blacbird

Jcomp

Nateskate

Nateskate