How to query an essay collection?

damnation's delights · 05-07-2012, 08:35 PM

How do I query a book of personal/literary/creative nonfiction essays? Do I pitch it more like fiction, or more like a nonfiction proposal (platform, market analysis etc)? They're not food, travel, solely memoir, or other kinds of 'platform-based' essays per se, so I wouldn't quite know how to do a proposal...

Kevin Davis · 05-08-2012, 12:30 AM

I'd be interested in any feedback on this as well.

NewKidOldKid · 05-08-2012, 05:09 AM

I'm going to guess that this is very, very difficult to sell. Unless you've already sold essays to magazines/websites and have a name. Or maybe if all the essays have a common theme that makes them more marketable. Is this just a collection of essays about random topics? Have you been published before?

damnation's delights · 05-08-2012, 05:29 PM

I can fit the essays into a theme. I am organizing them now and sending them out individually to venues. I have published various fiction; I am querying my first book, a short story cycle, now.

(I don't know why I've chosen the short story and the essay as my MO.)

veinglory · 05-08-2012, 06:21 PM

I think the first step will be to find publisher who have published similar books. Most submission guidelines will not suit this format for the simple reason that the publisher is not seeking this format.

05-07-2012, 08:35 PM	#1
damnation's delights New kid, be gentle! Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 9	How to query an essay collection? How do I query a book of personal/literary/creative nonfiction essays? Do I pitch it more like fiction, or more like a nonfiction proposal (platform, market analysis etc)? They're not food, travel, solely memoir, or other kinds of 'platform-based' essays per se, so I wouldn't quite know how to do a proposal... Last edited by damnation's delights; 05-07-2012 at 09:41 PM.

05-08-2012, 12:30 AM	#2
Kevin Davis Husband, father, lowbrow food buff. Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: The armpit of America (Peoria, IL) Posts: 12	I'd be interested in any feedback on this as well. __________________ http://kevinpauldavis.blogspot.com

05-08-2012, 05:09 AM	#3
NewKidOldKid diplomat Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 751	I'm going to guess that this is very, very difficult to sell. Unless you've already sold essays to magazines/websites and have a name. Or maybe if all the essays have a common theme that makes them more marketable. Is this just a collection of essays about random topics? Have you been published before? __________________ Get your copy HERE Or visit my website

05-08-2012, 06:21 PM	#5
veinglory volitare nequeo AW Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: right here Posts: 23,298	I think the first step will be to find publisher who have published similar books. Most submission guidelines will not suit this format for the simple reason that the publisher is not seeking this format. __________________ Coming Soon: Taniwha in the Cleis Press anthology 'Beach Bums' *[pre order now!]* New Release: Broken Sword via Amazon Kindle

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05-08-2012, 05:29 PM	#4
damnation's delights New kid, be gentle! Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 9	I can fit the essays into a theme. I am organizing them now and sending them out individually to venues. I have published various fiction; I am querying my first book, a short story cycle, now. (I don't know why I've chosen the short story and the essay as my MO.)