Submission Requirements for Nonfiction ...
KEEP IN MIND THAT FAR MORE NONFICTION BOOKS ARE SOLD THAN FICTION AND THAT NONFICTION
OUTSELLS FICTION AS WELL. IF YOU HAVE AN ORIGINAL IDEA AND EXPERTISE,
YOU HAVE A GOOD CHANCE OF GETTING A BOOK PUBLISHED. If you have ever attended
a writers' conference, you must have noticed that fiction authors outnumber nonfiction
authors ten to one. Everyone seems to want to write a novel but few
have the knowledge and discipline to develop a nonfiction proposal.
It is important that you include all of the following with your nonfiction
submission:
- A three to five page query letter that includes:
- A one-page concept or overview of the book explaining the subject
- A description of the audience (who will buy the book and why — be very specific).
- A brief description of your credentials (what makes you an expert on this subject). Information about your ability to reach these readers, such as workshops, speaking engagements, articles, etc. Include your writing credentials.
- A list of two or three competing titles (what popular books would be on the same shelf in a bookstore) and an explanation of how your book is newer, better, or different.
- A marketing plan for your book (see Marketing Plan below).
- Projected length/word count. Number and kind of illustrations if any.
- Indicate whether a complete proposal is available and your target date for completing the manuscript.
- Contact information, including: address, phone/fax numbers, and email address
- A sample chapter from your book.
Marketing Plan
This should
include answers to the following questions ...
- WHO IS THE AUDIENCE?
- Who are the potential readers? i.e. Who wants this book? Why do they want it? Why do they need it?
- HOW DOES YOUR BOOK HELP THE READER?
- How will this book benefit the buyer? How will it help them?
- What need does it fill for your target market?
- WHAT MAKES YOUR BOOK SPECIAL?
- What makes your book different from other such books? (Are there other such books?)
- Does your book have more information? Is it more comprehensive, easier to use? What advantages does it have over the competition? Why will people buy it instead of something else? Note: Please do a data base search for competing titles through. Report your findings in your proposal.
- MARKETING NICHES / SPECIAL MARKETS (Please be thorough here.)
- List any special markets your book may have outside regular trade book channels (book stores): Groups, workshops, churches, organizations, etc.
- Could sales result from your contacts-- associations, organizations, corporations, groups, hospitals, treatment centers, workshops, seminars or speaking engagements?
- Which magazines or professional/trade journals may review your book or print articles by you which in turn promotes the book?
- Do you have specific ideas for marketing your book?
- How willing are you to be active in marketing your book?
Additional submission instructions and information:
- Don't send any original, irreplacable materials by mail.
- Do not include an SASE unless you desire submittal materials to be returned. Include envelope with sufficient postage to return your materials.
- Allow up to 3 weeks for a response. If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks, we are declining to represent your work..
Sending In Your Nonfiction Proposal ...
Submit queries via regular mail or email. We do not accept submissions by phone.
Submitting via Regular Mail
Send the query letter and sample chapter by regular mail to:
Natasha Kern Literary Agency
P. O. Box 1069
White Salmon, WA 98672
You should receive a response from the agency within two to four weeks IF we are interested in talking with you further about your project. No response within that time is an indication that your project is not one that we are seeking to represent at this time.
Do not include an SASE (self-addressed, stamped envelope)
unless you need materials returned to you. We prefer to contact
writers to request more material if we are interested in their
project. However, if you do include an SASE with sufficient
postage we will return your submitted material (other than
query letter) along with a form rejection letter.
Submitting via Email
Send the query letter
within the body of the email. We do not
accept or read unsolicited attachments. Include the word QUERY, and also the title of
your project in the email subject line. We will respond via
email or phone within two weeks IF we are interested in your
project and need additional material. Otherwise, you will not
receive a response other than an auto-reply acknowledging your
initial email submission.
Send email queries to: queries@natashakern.com
Some Recommended Reading for Nonfiction Proposals
We recommend the following books to assist your nonfiction proposal. These books are ideal for understanding book proposals for self-help, how-to and popular nonfiction subject:Below is a link to one of the finest articles on how to create a non-fiction book proposal. It is written by Mike Hyatt, the current President and CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers...
Writing a Winning Book Proposal by Michael HyattAuthor 101 Bestselling Book Proposals: The Insider's Guide to Selling Your Work (Author 101) -- by Rick Frishman, Robyn Freedman Spizman
Book Proposals That Sell by W. Terry Whalin
Nonfiction Book Proposals Anybody Can Write by Elizabeth Lyon
If you are writing a memoir, narrative nonfiction, science-based (like Longitude) or serious nonfiction book, it will also be helpful to read ...
The Forest for the Trees by Betsey Lerner
Thinking Like Your Editor: How to Write Great Serious Nonfiction and Get it Published by Susan Rabiner
Agency Client Fees
The agency does not charge a reading fee and does not use outside readers.
Submission of material does not guarantee the agency will represent the
author or render the work more salable to publishers. The agency receives
a 15% commission on domestic sales, splits a 15% commission on film sales
with our Hollywood subagents, and splits a 20% commission with subagents
for foreign rights sales.