Non-Fiction Book Proposal: You Don't Need To Write The Full Book

Filed under Non-Fiction book proposal.

When considering writing a non-fiction book, you don’t need to write the whole thing before pitching your idea…

In the case of fiction books, I always advise that it is ‘best practice’ to write the novel before pitching to publishers. Partial fiction manuscripts can be pitched but it is exceedingly rare for a writer to secure a book deal. The most common positive response from agents/publishers will be a request for the full manuscript.

Non-fiction is different.

It is common practice for non-fiction writers to pitch just an idea, with a couple of chapters to support the submission. This means that you don’t need to write a whole non-fiction book before trying to secure a book deal.

When I asked Kate Moore, publisher and author at Osprey Publishing, she said:

The vast majority of proposals are sample chapters plus a detailed breakdown of the book and chapter list as opposed to a complete book.

The best approach is to construct a cover letter that says a bit about your book, your background as a writer/expert, the proposed market, the genre and the book’s competition. This is backed up with detailed chapter-by-chapter synopsis. The aim here is to give as much insight as possible regarding the content and direction of each chapter. Finally, include an extract that consists of a couple of chapters (I aim for about 4000 words). Unlike fiction, the chapters don’t need to be consecutive or even from the beginning of the book. Just send the best you have.

My final word is that non-fiction publishers will not expect you to have written the book. Professional non-fiction writers make use of this system by pitching a number of ‘unwritten’ ideas, hoping enough will stick to make a living from writing.

Would anyone else add any further advice?

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  • Lara

    Out of interest is it ever wise to contact an agent if you’re half way through your fiction ms? Obviously it would be ideal to have the ms complete but I wonder if it’s possible to pitch the idea (particularly if the agent has requested your full ms before?). Some ideas are perhaps out-of-date, not suitable, they’ve done similar and rather than complete a whole ms what do you think of sending a few chapters to see response.

    • garysmailes

      Lara – You can approach an agent mid book but the best response you will get is ‘please send the full manuscript’. This will send you into a whirlwind of activity that may not be ideal for the book’s content. My other worry is that an agent will request a full manuscript, but it may be just out of curiosity. You, as the writer, may see this as a possibility of representation when the agent is much less committed. Therefore, my advice would be to wait until you have the book written and then form a plan where you pick and choose the agents and publishers you wish to approach.

      • Lara

        Thank you, it’s sound advice. At least as an aspiring author you have the luxury of time and writing at your own pace. And there are no deadlines. I imagine once an agent shows interest there might be panic to finish. Probably not best for the ms (nor the author).

        • garysmailes

          Two other points. Firstly, the book will evolve, change and improve as your write. Secondly, an agent may well reject a partial and then be reluctant to re-assess the full manuscript. You often get one chance per book.

          • Lara

            Agreed, good point, well made. Just the other half of the ms to finish now. Then polish polish polish.

  • Lara

    Out of interest is it ever wise to contact an agent if you're half way through your fiction ms? Obviously it would be ideal to have the ms complete but I wonder if it's possible to pitch the idea (particularly if the agent has requested your full ms before?). Some ideas are perhaps out-of-date, not suitable, they've done similar and rather than complete a whole ms what do you think of sending a few chapters to see response.

  • garysmailes

    Lara – You can approach an agent mid book but the best response you will get is 'please send the full manuscript'. This will send you into a whirlwind of activity that may not be ideal for the book's content. My other worry is that an agent will request a full manuscript, but it may be just out of curiosity. You, as the writer, may see this as a possibility of representation when the agent is much less committed. Therefore, my advice would be to wait until you have the book written and then form a plan where you pick and choose the agents and publishers you wish to approach.

  • Lara

    Thank you, it's sound advice. At least as an aspiring author you have the luxury of time and writing at your own pace. And there are no deadlines. I imagine once an agent shows interest there might be panic to finish. Probably not best for the ms (nor the author).

  • garysmailes

    Two other points. Firstly, the book will evolve, change and improve as your write. Secondly, an agent may well reject a partial and then be reluctant to re-assess the full manuscript. You often get one chance per book.

  • Lara

    Agreed, good point, well made. Just the other half of the ms to finish now. Then polish polish polish.

  • http://abbiemood.com Abbie

    Thanks for this article – I was actually wondering that :)

    • garysmailes

      We often get asked if it is a good idea to pitch uncompleted manuscripts, I am hoping this post answers that question.

  • http://abbiemood.com Abbie

    Thanks for this article – I was actually wondering that :)

  • garysmailes

    We often get asked if it is a good idea to pitch uncompleted manuscripts, I am hoping this post answers that question.

  • Bookmd

    I write only nonfiction proposals, and I would say over the years the importance of the text has become secondary to the author’s “platform.” The proposal is a selling document, and your job is to prove to the publisher that they will make a lot of money if they take on your book. Saying “a bit” about your expertise is not going to cut it.

    In addition to explaining why your book beats all the competition, you need to include everything you will do to make your book a success – such as promoting it at your speaking engagements and public appearances, doing radio and TV shows, building your internet presence (web site, blog, twitter, You Tube), viral e-mail marketing, promotion via book bloggers and book reviewers, getting yourself mentioned in professional newsletters, writing articles for magazines about your area of expertise, and so on.

    Is there anyone out there who can persuade me that a nonfiction book – one that is not part of an established series – could get published today without a strong author “platform”?

  • Bookmd

    I write only nonfiction proposals, and I would say over the years the importance of the text has become secondary to the author's “platform.” The proposal is a selling document, and your job is to prove to the publisher that they will make a lot of money if they take on your book. Saying “a bit” about your expertise is not going to cut it.

    In addition to explaining why your book beats all the competition, you need to include everything you will do to make your book a success – such as promoting it at your speaking engagements and public appearances, doing radio and TV shows, building your internet presence (web site, blog, twitter, You Tube), viral e-mail marketing, promotion via book bloggers and book reviewers, getting yourself mentioned in professional newsletters, writing articles for magazines about your area of expertise, and so on.

    Is there anyone out there who can persuade me that a nonfiction book – one that is not part of an established series – could get published today without a strong author “platform”?

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