Are hybrid memoirs sold on proposal?

[A.P.M.]

I've been planning a book for a while that sums up my academic research on substance use. I have a decent platform--PHD, two dozen publications. I found a really good way to frame it through the lens of my own experiences growing up with substance-abusing parents. Thus, it is a hybrid memoir, though the meat of the book is very scientific. Similar to In The Realm of Hungry Ghosts.

Is this something I'd pitch as a proposal, like typical nonfiction, or should I write the entire thing first and sell it as a full MS, like a memoir?

I have the proposal mostly prepared, but the book is not yet done.

Also I'm aware the substance use book market is pretty saturated, but I want to at least try.

 

[Chris P]

Substance use and abuse memoirs are pretty common, but that also means a lot of people are reading them.

Based on my non-fic inquiries and research lately, I think the "propose first, write later" rubric is not quite as hard and fast as it used to be. That said, if your project is going to require substantial time and/or expense (travel, for instance) I think you'd be well served to propose first. It would also prevent a lot of redos if you land a publisher only to have them want a change in focus. Since you have a decent platform already, self publishing is very much an option, if you wanted to consider it.

As to your direct question, I see no harm in sending out some proposal trial balloons and see what kind of response you get. I had a publisher show strong interest in a history project I pitched, and one of their suggestions was really good that I'm following. However, based on their format and other things, Im not 100% sold that they are the right publisher, so I'm continuing to develop the project while I explore other options.

 

[byarvin]

I agree with Chris, there are lots of substance abuse memoirs because they have a huge audience. My own opinion (based on proposal experience and nothing else) is that a proposal with a few polished chapters will seal the deal.

 

[bunny hugger]

I think a memoir by a person who is also a credentialled expert and researcher is a bit different from all the rest. There would be good grounds for trying to place this based on a proposal because - as you say - is it not entirely a memoir but also an evidence-based/science non-fiction.

 

[Brigid Barry]

Wouldn't this be narrative non-fiction? (I suck at genres so feel free to ignore me)