[Circus Cranium]

A publisher asking for a marketing plan does not automatically equal vanity press or anything negative. Most times the publisher will do their share of marketing, ie running ads, getting it reviewed places it will be seen by a wide audience, etc etc. But regardless of whether it's a small press or a big house, you're always expected to pull your weight as far as promoting yourself too. Naturally, you want to sell as many books as possible, so you want to help promote your book in any way you can. I know many authors who've got 'big' publishing deals, and trust me, thinking that your publisher is going to pay for a book tour, nonstop advertising and promotion is a delusion.

HOWEVER, a publisher SHOULD certainly be doing their share, and getting you in places you perhaps couldn't get on your own. If a publisher is doing nothing and STILL asking you to promote, then I'd be concerned.