Any Non-Fiction writers out there?

[GreenTowels]

Just that really - I’ve got 60k words of a history book with a travel element and I’m at the stage of preparing first three chapters + synopsis to send out to agents. I’ve had interest from a couple of enquiries so it’s crunch time in the next few months!

[MaybeDoctor]

Yes, I have a short non-fiction book at draft stage. Probably planning to self-publish.

[64sNewName]

I work as an editor, but also write non-fiction in my tiny scraps of spare time. Currently in the very early stages of a project that I hope will become my second book. I’m really slow, though.

How did you get on with your agency submissions, @GreenTowels?

[Zilla1]

Greentowels, Are you sure all non-fiction submissions take the format of first three chapters and synopsis? I could be wrong but thought I'd seen some of the largest agents (and publishers who accept non-fiction direct submissions) treat non-fiction and fiction submissions differently?

Good luck.

[64sNewName]

Oh that's a good point actually - ime the requirements usually are slightly different for non-fiction.

[Zilla1]

I think the focus is more on the proposal/market opportunity -

from Eve white -
How to submit non-fiction:
Please note, we only accept submissions via email.
Please send a covering letter in the body of your email including the word count or projected word count of your book.
Please attach the following Word documents to your covering email:
a proposal
a short synopsis
your up-to-date CV
Please title your Word documents in the following format:
Proposal – [Your Book’s Title] – [Your Name]
Synopsis – [Your Book’s Title] – [Your Name]
CV – [Your Book’s Title] – [Your Name]
Please send your submission to [email protected].

[GreenTowels]

The agents I’ve been in contact with have all asked for synopsis/proposal/short author bio and first 3 chapters. They want to see some writing but can sell on the basis of a proposal rather than full manuscript.

The exception for non-fiction seems to be memoir where they’re increasingly asking for a full ms.

I’m having a bit of a break from writing as I’m just going round in circles so will be back on it as soon as I’ve had a rest!

Good luck with your proposals everyone 🤞

[MaybeDoctor]

@GreenTowels or anyone else on the thread

Is anyone interested in a mutual swap for reading/constructive criticism purposes.

I have a short non-fiction book of about 16,000 words (intended as an ebook) and need some form of deadline if it isn't going to sit on my PC for all eternity. I could finish it off in the next few weeks and would be happy to read/critique something of a similar length eg. some chapters of a longer book.