Questions from a newbie.

[zeprosnepsid]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone would be polite enough to answer my complete newbie questions.

--I know in the fiction world, your book has to be done before it can be submitted and sold, is this the case with non-fiction? When you send in a proposal, is your book actually done?

--Also, where's a good place to find a list of good publishing companies for non-fiction work.

Thanks a lot!

[lucyishome]

When it comes to writing non-fiction I believe it is recommended that your manuscript be completed. It does not do a whole lot of good to send out proposals if it is not. If you end up getting a publisher who wants to see your complete manuscript and its not complete you can end up in bad situation. I also recommend the 2005 Writers Market for listings for publishers who accept non-fiction. There is a ton of great information in it in additon to publishers that you can submit to including how to write querys and more. Best of luck to you.

Anne

[Uncarved]

I have four nonfiction book contracts and I've never written the book prior to getting a contract. I write a proposal that has a chapter by chapter summary, the marketing platform, the author bio, and the cover sheet. Thats it. I've received a contract every time from this. Just my 2cents worth.



When it comes to writing non-fiction I believe it is recommended that your manuscript be completed. It does not do a whole lot of good to send out proposals if it is not. If you end up getting a publisher who wants to see your complete manuscript and its not complete you can end up in bad situation. I also recommend the 2005 Writers Market for listings for publishers who accept non-fiction. There is a ton of great information in it in additon to publishers that you can submit to including how to write querys and more. Best of luck to you.

Anne

[lucyishome]

I have four nonfiction book contracts and I've never written the book prior to getting a contract. I write a proposal that has a chapter by chapter summary, the marketing platform, the author bio, and the cover sheet. Thats it. I've received a contract every time from this. Just my 2cents worth.


I should probably stated it was my own opinion. It seems like there is conflicting information with some publishers. Some do not care if it is complete yet while others want to know it is. I have not had mine published yet so it sounds like Tina knows what she is talking about.

[zeprosnepsid]

thank you both for your information!

I wonder, do most non-fiction publishers specify in someway if your manuscript must be completed?

[lucyishome]

thank you both for your information!

I wonder, do most non-fiction publishers specify in someway if your manuscript must be completed?


I believe that some do. One publisher I sent a query to requested the completed manuscript they also specified that was what they woudl request if they were interested. I think it just depends. Its good to know that not all do. I prefer myself to have mine complete so that while I am querying publishers for that manuscript I can move forward and write something new. But it is also nice becuase even if it is done I can go back and add or delete things if I feel the need.

Anne

[DeePower]

There are several sources for publishers Jeff Herman's Guide to Agents and Publishers is one. The Writers Market is another. I personally like publishersmarketplace.com. It is not free, the fee is $15 a month. I have no affiliation with the site. It has a deal database where agents and publishers announce their recent acquisitions and can be searched by type of book and genre. The information includes title of the book, author, agent, a brief blurb, the acquiring publisher and sometimes even the name of the editor at the publisher.

I have three nonfiction books, two are out, one is just about to be released. The proposal included a description of the concept of the book, a list of competing books and why my book was better, why I was the best author to write this particular book, who the readers would be (the market) and how that market could be reached as well as what I as the author would do to reach that market, and a brief bio including writing credits. Additionally there was a by synopsis by chapter with a paragraph description of each chaper. Also included was a sample chapter, or in my case the chapter wasn't complete but it included about 6000 words.

Dee

[lucyishome]

Thanks Dee for the information.

Anne

[aka eraser]

I think, for a first-timer without a lot of publishing credentials, it's best to have at least most of the book written before sending out proposals. If, on the other hand, you're a "known-quantity," with a track record in magazine, newspaper or book writing, you have a decent chance at landing a contract based on the proposal alone.

[triceretops]

Dee pretty much nailed it, and Frank is right too. I'm on my third non-fiction book and going through all the mass mailings, emails and so on. I would estimate that 70--80 percent of publishers who handle non-fiction books accept partials--overview--market competition--platform--audience--Chapter outline--dry TOC--credits--1-3 sample chapters, etc. Believe it or not, many non-fiction book publishers have told me that they actually prefer a good partial because if they like it, they can help guide the style, focus, chapter topics (and sequence), subject matter, and also have time to help procure photos, artwork, line-drawings, graphs, and tables. Personally, I've sold my books on speck but that was years ago. What Frank suggests is sound for your first attempt since you aren't a "known quantity"--it means your name hasn't hit the public yet, as far as major book credits. Realize also, that if you sell a partial, who'll be given a deadline to meet to finish the rest of the manuscript. Could be four months--could be year. Depends on the project.In any event, good luck and prosper!

Triceratops

[zeprosnepsid]

thanks again everyone, this is great information.

just fyi, I'm currently a journalist/columnist and expect my book to cover what I currently cover rather successfully. That's why I was interested about selling it with the query letter. In all honesty, as interested I am about the subject matter I wouldn't write it without a deal. But I'd certainly be interested in writing it if I could sell it through query. Hence the lack of knowledge about the industry and the questions.

[zeprosnepsid]

Sorry, just another question. Are there any good online listings of markets or am I just better off buying those books? Thanks again!

[aka eraser]

The online version of Writer's Market is a decent starting point but I'd still recommed getting the book first. There's tons of info in the book's early parts about proper submission procedures. Depending on where you live, the book's purchase price also includes a year's free subscription to the online service as well.

Don't ignore your local bookstore and library when it comes to researching likely publishers. Check out the sections that deal in books like yours and write down the publisher's contact info. Armed with that, you can usually find their website and check out their particular preferences when it comes to submissions.

There's LOTS of homework to do in this game. The writing (for some of us anyway) is the easy part.

[Tish Davidson]

My experience is that nonfiction books are sold through book proposals. These include things like market analysis, competing books, author credentials. If you want to see a sample nonfiction book proposal look at http://www.adlerbooks.com/ And like triceratops, I have found that many publishers prefer proposals to finished mss so that they can guide the book to fit into a line or series or type of book they are already promoting.