Getting an Agent after having Media Coverage

It can definitely help -- potentially a lot. In order to be published in nonfiction, you have to have what's called "platform." That means you have a recognizable name in the field that will guarantee sales. If you have been on Dr. Drew and ABC News, you likely have a platform. Do you have a blog? Do you give seminars? What makes you an expert on the subject -- more to the point, how did THEY recognize you as an expert on the subject?

Now, just being an expert won't get you an agent. To get an agent, you need a proposal for a product they can sell. This is not a small thing to put together. It includes a query, an author bio, an analysis of the competition, a complete outline, and the first three chapters of the book.

If you have THAT and a platform, you have a good shot at landing an agent.

I think having that coverage will help, but again like Melissa said above - you need a good cover letter (or query letter/proposal etc) and platform. Good luck!!

Do a pretty darn exhaustive search before you declare your book is one of two on the topic. You want to be very honest about what's out there -- even on related topics. Then you want to explain how your book is different and why people will want to read it. The absolute worst thing that could happen would be for you to say, "My book is unique," and to have an agent or editor do a Web search and find out that isn't true. They'll think you unprepared (at best) and question everything else in your proposal.

There are books on putting together a non-fiction proposal. It's complex enough -- and important enough -- that I would get a book or two and really hone the proposal. It's not something you want to rush.

From what I understand about memoirs, they are sold more like novels than non-fiction, which means you need to write it first, then approach agents etc.

Toothpaste said:

From what I understand about memoirs, they are sold more like novels than non-fiction, which means you need to write it first, then approach agents etc.

Click to expand...

This, as well.

Again, good luck!

Yep, what Toothpaste said.

Memoirs are probably THE hardest genre to break into. You have to have a compelling true story that reads like a novel AND provides a new insight into the topic you're writing about. You have to write the book first and query it like a novel -- but you'll still need to have done the same homework you would do with a nonfiction proposal. Platform is equally important.