Query Agents or Publishers?

jonpiper said:

Curious. Did you query proposals or completed manuscripts?

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I sent a query in the summer with a short sample, saying the book would be done by the end of the year. The editor was immediately enthusiastic and offered an advance contract, but I said why not wait, since it wouldn't be long. I sent the finished manuscript in December; they put it through peer review and the press committee approved it in April.

Agreed, thank you for this thread as I've had a large publishing house approach me to write a book on natural dyeing using one of their formula's. At the time I wasn't all that ripped about their formula but it seems to sell a lot of books for them in the how-to category.

Think I'll take another look at their proposal.

This is a great thread. Thank you.

I've just completed a proposal for a non-fiction book and was wondering whether to go via an agent or not. Your replies have helped.

Most of the big publishers here will accept unagented proposals, so I think I'll go that route.

Thanks again.

I write nonfiction -- medical information books for the general public. My fourth book comes out next fall. I have an agent who does mostly nonfiction. The publishers I've used generally don't take proposals except via agents, although I'm told there are occasional exceptions to that.

Overall I think having an agent is better, since small independent publishers and university presses have limited distribution options. The bigger houses get you better distribution. On the other hand, if you have an established author niche, such as giving conferences and the like, then going it alone can work well.

As others have pointed out, nonfiction is generally sold on proposal -- a couple of chapters completed, chapter summaries for the rest, and the proposal. You don't need to have written the whole book, and in fact it is better that you haven't yet if you are pitching major houses. They usually want modifications.

Sat Nam! (literally "Truth Name"--a Sikh greeting)

jonpiper, follow the directions on the agents' websites. Always start with a query or cover letter (whichever they prefer). If the website says to include proposal, do it. If the website says, query only, do that. Some want parts of the proposal, but not others.

The number of pages in a proposal varies. You will need at minimum an overview (1-2 pages) which may include antcipated wordcount, etc., as well as what the book's about and why it's being written, author bio (1-2 pages) which should include everything including relevant stage and media experience, marketing or audience page (as many pages as is relevant) which should include statistics about the group(s), promotion (as many pages as is relevant) and be specific with this one about what you can or are willing to do, comparative titles (as many pages as is relevant) which can include books that aren't much like yours but which are similar in certain ways, table of contents and/or chapter summaries (as many pages as it takes), and sample chapters--be sure to include the intro.

Hope that helps.

Blessings,

Siri Kirpal

jonpiper said:

The book I'm reading about selling nonfiction says your proposal could be 30 or more pages.

Is it acceptable or recommended to first query agents and publishers with a one page query letter to determine if they would like to read your proposal?

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Agents vary on that point. As I recall (I've had the same agent for 8 years so I can't remember all the details) most want you to send a query letter first. Then, if they are interested, they ask for the proposal. But some agents want the proposal initially. For them in particular you want a great overview for your proposal as the opening page or two; the agent may only read that. If it isn't compelling, the proposal can go right to the trash.

After you've finished writing your proposal you should craft the very best query letter you can write because you only get the one chance with each agent. If it's not great query letter they will never see your proposal. So really work on that killer query. And don't make the mistake some do of firing off queries before you have the polished proposal ready to go.

Regarding length, I think my proposals have generally been about 40-50 pages in total, which includes the sample chapter(s).