Time frame and a million lil' ?

Not sure you should be moved, as this seems like a legitimate agent question to me. If you're not getting responses to your post, it may just be that no one (so far) feels they can offer up a good or informative enough answer. Many of us on here are fiction writers (like me) and perhaps not that familiar with how nonfiction book proposals work. I do know that by asking about your platform, the agent wants to know if you already have a built-in (established) audience for your work. Having an active website, for example, is usually a big plus. Exposure on TV and radio, or having a regular newspaper column with a readership, are also big pluses. In other words, they want to know there are people who are going to read this book once it's out there. This idea of having a platform is usually much more desired for nonfiction than fiction (though not really sure why).

Hopefully someone else with a bit more non-fiction experience can offer up more advice for you.

And yet someone else who doesn't know really what to tell you. But I can say that if it is a memoir, chances are YOU are going to be a very important part of promoting this work. I'm sure there is a way to work out a compromise, but people will be wanting to meet the person who's life the book is about. I know it is tough for many writers who would rather stay out of the limelight, but if you take a small step into it, who knows, you may actually discover you like it!

Sorry I can't be more help with anything practical though!

I think it'll be a little difficult for Ms. Diver to comment on the intentions of a fellow agent in a field she doesn't represent, kimmi. That said, however, if you posted a very general question, you might get the answer you're looking for. Something, for example, like:

"I have an agent interested in my memoir, but I'm getting the feeling he's going to want me to tour and do signings and such. But I really don't want to. Is the business such that I HAVE to make myself available for such things? I don't want to mess up this chance to get my book to a good publisher, but me promoting it seems like a big thing to him. Would you reconsider representing a book if the author refused to promote during your initial talks?"

Here's the link, if you want to ask. Good luck!