How to Publish a Non-fiction Book

Ever dream of writing a nonfiction book? Good news! It's really not as difficult as you may have been led to believe. Publishers are always looking for books that look at an old subject in a new way. And all you really need to get started on this exciting adventure is a little motivation, an understanding of the publishing process and some knowledge on how to write a good marketing letter, which is the key to breaking into print.

Things You'll Need

• Internet connection Time to research

Instructions

1. Find the right publishing house, and also the right editor. First visit the library or a bookstore and look for any books that may be similar in content to yours. Make a list of four or five publishing houses, and then check the publishers' websites for manuscript guidelines. Call the publishing firm and ask for the name of the editor that would handle your particular type of project. Don't be surprised if you get the editor on the phone and he asks: "What's your book about?" Be prepared with a single-sentence summary. Remember, publishers are always looking for powerful books that look at an old subject in a new way.

2. Request a copy of the publishers' catalog to get a better idea of whether or not your book would fit the particular publishing house. Study the titles. Keep in mind when coming up with a working title for your book that titles are very important to an editor. They may be changed down the road, but a good title creates the first impression.

3. Select a publisher. You will find that many large publishing houses now have imprints and smaller divisions, which accept submissions without an agent. Small, independent presses publish many nonfiction books, and the good news is that these smaller publishing houses work very closely with writers. You can develop a wonderful working relationship with the editors. There are also other advantages to working with smaller presses, such as they do more marketing as well as tend to keep a book in print longer.

4. Understand that all nonfiction publishers have different submission requests. Most prefer to see a one-page query letter first. Some accept email queries, while others prefer mail submissions with a self-addressed stamped envelope. Others may request to see additional material, like an overview of your book, your table of contents, any competition, and a description of how your book differs. When you write, ask yourself: How is my work new, different, or better than other books on the subject? Why would anyone want to read my book rather than another one? Include the answers to these questions in your marketing (query) letter.

5. Make sure your letter is written in a friendly yet professional tone that shows your personality. Write as if you are telling your friend about your wonderful idea. This concept will grab an editor's attention. Start with a compelling summary of not more than 150 words. To get an idea of how to write a great summary, study the jackets of similar books or video covers. Create excitement by using active verbs. Make it clear about how the reader will benefit from your book. Include statistics whenever possible, and show that you are qualified to write the book.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask the librarian if there are any issues of "Publisher's Weekly" available. This trade magazine includes a list of current titles and will give you an idea of the kinds of books publishers are interested in.

Resources

• Writer's Market