Publishing Question

If your manuscript is not finished, then how can you sell it?

Since you're posting in the nonfiction forum, I'd like to assume it's a nonfiction book you're talking about.

If that's the case, I've already answered this question in great detail in the other current thread in this forum, New to the Forum.

It also depends on the subject. In some cases, you might need a completed manuscript first before querying (as long as it's nonfiction). In most cases, you'll need a proposal and sample chapters.

If you are a celebrity, or have a book that will burst on the scene, the publisher will give you an advance based on a proposal and sample chapters. That's not a firm 100% rule, but it's pretty standard.

Even if you're not a celebrity, you can still sell a non-fiction book on the basis of a proposal.

K1P1 said:

Even if you're not a celebrity, you can still sell a non-fiction book on the basis of a proposal.

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In fact, in general non-fiction that's how it's usually done. If you are talking about a memoir or some other form that is a bit of a hybrid, you might want to finish up the manuscript first, or be a celebrity.

The biggest thing in non-fic, after actually being able to write, is going to be your platform.

You might also consider contacting agents before publishers. It does depend on the project, but an agent might be able to get you a better deal.