I have written a non-fiction, educational book for parents and teachers and have submitted queries to several agents. Two have requested partials, but as expected, there also have been several rejections. Interestingly, the rejections are fairly consistent in either explicitly or implicitly saying that they do not represent educational books. There is no "Educational" genre listed with AgentQuery, so I select "Parenting" as an alternative. Any ideas on how to select an agent for educationally oriented books?
Agents for educational books
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Hi JosephR-
It depends on your book topic, how it is written, and so forth. If it reads like a textbook, then you are more limited since it is not so much a commercial product. There are agents who accept textbook-type books, but they are few in number.
If your book is educational in nature but is not written in textbook prose, you might try looking for agents who represent "reference" or "how-to" on AgentQuery. I have agents considering my proposal and when I started a few months ago with my parenting book I discovered that just a "Parenting" category often means they are thinking of narrative non-fiction rather than a how-to book.
Many agent websites will say "no textbooks" or something similar. If you are not sure what they like by their individual website, or other sources such as Publisher's Marketplace, then just query anyway. What's the worst that can happen? A no? They were just not the best fit. And you might just get a yes...
It depends on your book topic, how it is written, and so forth. If it reads like a textbook, then you are more limited since it is not so much a commercial product. There are agents who accept textbook-type books, but they are few in number.
If your book is educational in nature but is not written in textbook prose, you might try looking for agents who represent "reference" or "how-to" on AgentQuery. I have agents considering my proposal and when I started a few months ago with my parenting book I discovered that just a "Parenting" category often means they are thinking of narrative non-fiction rather than a how-to book.
Many agent websites will say "no textbooks" or something similar. If you are not sure what they like by their individual website, or other sources such as Publisher's Marketplace, then just query anyway. What's the worst that can happen? A no? They were just not the best fit. And you might just get a yes...
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I am a commercial author living in a college town, and several professors around me write text books and scholarly works. Many of those works are sold directly, without an agent, to textbook publishers and university presses.
Is that what you're wondering about?
If so, you probably need to be qualified by being a professor or doctoral candidate yourself.
If you book is self-help or something like that,, that's a whole nother matter.
Is that what you're wondering about?
If so, you probably need to be qualified by being a professor or doctoral candidate yourself.
If you book is self-help or something like that,, that's a whole nother matter.
Atthebeach and JohnRobison--Thank you two for your insightful comments. I have a better feel on how to handle queries just from your feedback. My project is not a textbook, nor is it narrative nonfiction, but after reading your comments, I guess it could be considered a "How-To" book. Again, thanks for your help.
Joseph, I am a nonfiction book author of material for the educational market. I am also a member of a yahoo group, NFforkids (nonfiction for kids). They are invaluable in answering questions as yours. The agent question is one that frequently comes up in 'virtual conversations.' The concensus seems to be that most nonfiction book authors do not have agents. For a list of children's book publishers, check out signalflap.com.
Shelley, thanks for your helpful comments. I'll definitely have to check out NFforkids on yahoo. I just find it interesting that there isn't an Education genre listed in AgentQuery in view of education being such an important topic (and a hot one, too, because of No Child Left Behind, standardized testing, etc.). Plus, there are usually loads of books on every imaginable educational topic at every bookstore, so I figured there must be agents pushing them.
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Joseph, I think what you may be calling Education is indexed in book stores as parenting, psychology, self-help, and a variety of other headings.
Have you looked for books like yours, to see how they're classified?
Have you looked for books like yours, to see how they're classified?
If your book is more of a "textbook," I'd try querying publishers directly. That's what recently worked for me. If it's not a textbook, have you considered submitting to Parenting Press? I had 'em bookmarked as a possibility for one of my works. Perhaps that would be an avenue to consider and they accept proposals directly from authors.
Thanks John and Shirah. I've been reading more (e.g., Writer's Market) and yes, John, I think my title could be considered parenting or psychology. I think you make a good point, Shirah, that it may be smart to query publishers directly. I'll also check out Parenting Press. I do have an agent interested in my project. She's requested a partial and more recently has requested some revisions. If that doesn't pan out, I think I may go the direct route. Again, thanks.
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