Nonfiction Wishlist & Guidelines

A quick note on timing:

Holidays and weekends often provide quiet opportunities for me to review queries, so you may receive a response during those times.

Some writers find it helpful to use a separate email for querying so they can choose when to check responses on their own terms.

Adult Nonfiction

As a traditionally published nonfiction author, I understand the pressure around "platform, platform, platform."
I've been there, and now on the agenting side, I still find myself emphasizing its importance.

I'm drawn to authors who have already created their brand and built their audience, even before a book deal comes into play.

Please note: I use Query Tracker's pre-qualification feature that prevents the submission of queries that include manuscripts with word counts outside of genre norms. While I give a bit of leeway with word counts, it's my expectation that writers stay within what is reasonably acceptable for their genre.

 

I’m looking for:

        • COOKBOOKS!!!!!
        • How-to
        • Self-help
        • Christian Living
        • Lifestyle
        • Home & Garden
        • Gift
        • Bible studies
I’m not the right agent for:

      • Memoir or Narrative
      • Devotionals
      • Sports
      • Science / Technology
      • Politics
      • Projects that don't have a tie-in to the author's credentials or platform

NONFICTION SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

**Please note: Query Manager has a space for the audience and comps. You can type "included in proposal" in those sections to be able to bypass them.**

For the nonfiction proposal plus chapters, upload a Word document* that includes the following:

      • Pitch
      • Overview
      • Genre and Word Count
      • Completion Date
      • Target Audience
      • Bio
      • Marketing plan specific to the book, including links and numbers (where applicable) to social media, website, email list, speaking, etc.
      • Comps
        (Minimum of five, traditionally published within the last 3-5 years. Tell me why your book is both similar and different.)
      • First three chapters (can include an introduction)

*I often check QM on my phone and a Word doc (versus a PDF) is easier to read.