My name is Mike Joy. A friend of mine who has published several book suggested I check out this site when I told her I am looking for a publisher. I recently finished and copyrighted a book on saving consumers money for home improvements. The book is unique and satisfies an important consumer need: it details how one can deal with contractors, subcontractors, and designers without being cheated. As an experienced subcontractor, I know the ins and outs of the home improvement business, and I brought my expertise to this book. I recently had a large Dallas firm review and consider the book -- but upon review they decided that the genre was not something they could market effectively. That is why I am here. Can anyone help? Please contact me at [email protected]. Thank you for any help you can offer!
Need publishing help with non fiction
- Thread starter Shadynight44
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Here are some broad strokes: Check out agents that handle this area and publishers that handle homeowner/renovation-type books. Visit bookstores and make a list. Check out their guidelines. Develop a query letter and proposal (even though you've got the book written; many places won't look at full manuscripts first). Submit. Repeat.
Also, don't ever describe your book as unique. There is always competition, even if it's not exactly like yours. A large section of your proposal should include an analysis of the competition and why yours is better, anyway.
Also, don't ever describe your book as unique. There is always competition, even if it's not exactly like yours. A large section of your proposal should include an analysis of the competition and why yours is better, anyway.
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Do you have a proposal? You need one of those and a list of relevant publishers to send it to.
As above, do not ever describe your book as unique. It isn't. It took me under a minute to find a similar one on Amazon and god knows there are eleventy million blogs, articles in print and web-based magazines and forums on the same topic.
I'm not saying your book wouldn't be wanted, just that it's not unique.
As above, do not ever describe your book as unique. It isn't. It took me under a minute to find a similar one on Amazon and god knows there are eleventy million blogs, articles in print and web-based magazines and forums on the same topic.
I'm not saying your book wouldn't be wanted, just that it's not unique.
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Publishing is not a one step process. I would suggest starting by making a short list of publishers suitable for the book.
Thanks for the information so far. I do have a proposal, and I will be sure not to call the book "unique." I thought most publishers did not accept unsolicited manuscripts -- hence the need to find an agent. Does this situation vary depending on publisher?
#2 Should I worry more about submitting directly to a publisher rather than an agent? I was always taught -- by laypeople and professional publishers -- that agents are the ones who get you in touch with the right publishers, and the write editors at publishers. Please advise!
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Your need to identify the publisher before writing the proposal, they all have different requirements.
Most non-fiction publishers accept unsolicited proposals. If the publisher you want does not, approach an agent instead. Starting with agents who have had successful sales to your target publisher.
Regardless, Step #1 is to identify one or more target publishers.
Most non-fiction publishers accept unsolicited proposals. If the publisher you want does not, approach an agent instead. Starting with agents who have had successful sales to your target publisher.
Regardless, Step #1 is to identify one or more target publishers.