Am I right in my understanding that a query letter for a nonfiction book, if responded to, must be followed by a book proposal?
And what if I'm a freelance translator who has finished translating a large volume on the history of American Indians on two continents, but the author is not well known? Is it still possible to land an agent and a traditional publisher and is it even worth the effort? Even if I have little platform to speak of?
Yes, you need a book proposal, which should preferably be done before you send out queries.
I can't say if the history book you mention here is or the effort is "worth it" but platform is very important in non-fiction. There's more about that here. https://katemckean.substack.com/p/platforms-redux
Also be sure you have the rights to translate this book.
I can't really tell with the info here, but the vast majority of non-fiction authors traditionally published have some sort of platform. It could be your work is better suited for an academic publisher, which requires author credentials more so than platform, at least most of the time.
Thank you for these super insightful entries! I wonder if you ever experience a "seasonality" for nonfiction queries - memoirs, if we can be that specific. Do you experience more in the beginning of the year? In the restless summertime?
And the question beneath this question - if someone is interested in submitting, is there a time that may be better than others?
This was really helpful. Thanks, Kate!
Am I right in my understanding that a query letter for a nonfiction book, if responded to, must be followed by a book proposal?
And what if I'm a freelance translator who has finished translating a large volume on the history of American Indians on two continents, but the author is not well known? Is it still possible to land an agent and a traditional publisher and is it even worth the effort? Even if I have little platform to speak of?
Yes, you need a book proposal, which should preferably be done before you send out queries.
I can't say if the history book you mention here is or the effort is "worth it" but platform is very important in non-fiction. There's more about that here. https://katemckean.substack.com/p/platforms-redux
Also be sure you have the rights to translate this book.
I had read your article on platform, but I'm not sure it applies here. This is not a cookbook or anything like that.
I can't really tell with the info here, but the vast majority of non-fiction authors traditionally published have some sort of platform. It could be your work is better suited for an academic publisher, which requires author credentials more so than platform, at least most of the time.
Thanks for your input.
Thank you for these super insightful entries! I wonder if you ever experience a "seasonality" for nonfiction queries - memoirs, if we can be that specific. Do you experience more in the beginning of the year? In the restless summertime?
And the question beneath this question - if someone is interested in submitting, is there a time that may be better than others?
Thank you!
Jenny
There's no right time or better time to query! https://katemckean.substack.com/p/publishing-is-slow-in-the-summer
Thank you Kate! What a fun read :)
Probelm instead of problem above [inveterate proffreader]
Please see the PS to this post please
My apologies. I did not realise, and I meant only to make a wry comment. I am not dyslexic and my typo rate is easily twice or more yours.
Like proffreader? :-)
I used to stutter.
Nelson Rockefeller was dyslexic.
I would never have known from your writings in "Agents and Books" that you were dyslexic.
I am a retired physician who hd a small subset of dyslexic patients.
Just keep writing. You are doing more than fine.
Stay safe.
Hope your family is well.