the craft. so...you want to write a nonfiction book?
L'Oreal Thompson Payton puts us on game | 11.2.20
Photo: by Radu Marcusu on Unsplash
Words: L’Oreal Thompson Payton
If you dream about writing a nonfiction book, the process may seem a bit daunting at best. First, you need to write your book proposal. Then you need to query agents -- all before you’ve written the actual book.
In November 2017, I purchased Jen Sincero’s How to Write and Sell Your Nonfiction Book Proposal e-course as a belated birthday present to myself. I’d been toying around with the idea of a self-help book for a couple of years and was still on a high after reading Sincero’s bestseller You Are a Badass.
The course was designed to be completed in a week, but it would take me about a year to get the proposal to a place where I liked it enough to query agents. Then came the rejections (and a lot of them). I distinctly remember one agent telling me to come back when I had 20,000 followers. At the time, I had about 8,000 across all of my social media platforms, so I was feeling very discouraged. But in the words of the late, great Aaliyah, “If at first you don’t succeed, dust yourself off and try again.”
Though there’s no one way to get an agent, below are the steps that helped me land a literary agent:
Build Your Platform: This is about branding yourself as both a writer and a subject matter expert on the topic of your book. And don’t rely solely on social, you need to own an Internet home. So be sure to have a personal website, blog, or portfolio to showcase your work. You’ll also want to secure press in podcast interviews and other media hits to add credibility.
Build Your Proposal: The aforementioned book proposal course by Jen Sincero is a masterclass, but if you’re looking for a quick and dirty (and free version), check out this template by writer Lindsay Smith. Overall, a book proposal includes the following components:
Overview: This is your first chance to make a big impression. Think of it as the elevator pitch for your book. You’ll want to answer three main questions: Why this book (put another way: what problem does it seek to solve)? Why now? And why are you the best person positioned to write it?
About the Author: This is the part for you to shine. Part bio, part back cover blurb, the about section is the place to position yourself as a subject matter expert. This is not the time to be humble -- brag on yourself!
Market Analysis: Who is going to read your book and what do you know about them? This is where you’ll go in depth on your target reader and share why they need your book.
Promotion: Agents are in the business of selling books and this section will help them do that by giving them an idea of how you plan to market your book (this is where your platform comes into play).
Competitive Analysis: Also known as Comparative Titles, this section takes a look at three to five similar books in your category and explains how yours differs. The goal is to make a strong case for your book by demonstrating a) there’s existing interest and b) there’s a gap in current offerings that your book will fill.
Book Size (optional): Hardcover, softcover, this is where you’ll cover what you envision your book looking like and the number of pages. Not sure how many pages your book should be? Count the words on a full page of a similar book and multiply it by the number of total pages.
Book Table of Contents: This is an outline of your chapters.
Chapter Abstracts: Give a brief description of each chapter (about two to three paragraphs).
Sample Chapters: This section gives the agent (and your future editor) an idea of your writing style/voice. It’s time to put your best work forward.
Build Your List: Take a peek at the acknowledgments section of books similar to yours and make note of the literary agent. Create a spreadsheet (like the one Ashely shared here) featuring your list of agents (I suggest starting with about 10-20) to track queries. Be sure to follow the agents’ specific querying instructions as they can differ across agencies. Other helpful resources include: Manuscript Wish List; QueryTracker; and Twitter for online pitch contests such as #PitMad and #DVpit.
Now comes the hard part, being patient. It can take months to receive a response if you receive one at all. Chances are you won’t strike gold on your first try and that’s okay. It took me a full year of querying before I got a coveted “yes.” And even then, it’s important to do your due diligence and ask questions about their communication style; typical response time, etc. Don’t be afraid to ask if you can speak to current or past clients as well to get a sense of whether the agent is a good fit for you and your book.
Writing/Job Opportunities
Berkley/Penguin Random House is hiring an Editorial Assistant.
Outside Magazine gear team is hiring.
Yoga Journal is looking for a Senior Editor.
Insider, Inc has multiple paid fellowships. Take a look at the full listing.
The Atlantic is hiring a Senior Associate Editor, Culture.
The New York Times is hiring a Culture Vertical Editor, Opinion.
Travel Noire is looking for another freelance writer. Email Stephanie Ogbogu with links to your work at stephanie.ogbogu@blavity.com
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