What's interesting with nonfiction articles...agents would reach out to journalists like myself or friends of mine who wrote a great article and encourage them to turn their story into a book. Sometimes it really works. Example: Crying in H Mart. And sometimes it just doesn't, [insert titles of books I don't want to insult, including one that I ghostwrote]. When I worked in magazines, we always tried to differentiate between what makes a great long-form magazine article and what would make an incredible narrative nonfiction book, like Friday Night Lights. In the end, I think it often just comes down to the writer. There are certain writers that are so good (Susan Orlean) that I would read what they wrote even if it was a book about something incredibly boring (like orchids!). But the key to knowing if you have a book is a book proposal. When the book proposal gets boring as you try to expand it, you probably should leave it as a great magazine story. Have a great day!
Well said Brooke. And yes we have to be honest... not every book is a winner, in whatever category (impact, craft, quality, popularity, marketability, etc.) Fiction or non fiction. In my case, I stand under a deluge of ideas on a daily basis. Doesn't mean I'll turn them into anything... it's a flow that you, the writer, shapes, streamlines, hones. The novel I'm working on now is the synthesis of a few of those deluges.
Thank you! I’ve had numerous college friends urge me to write a book but it never felt quite right for a book. I’m enjoying writing short essays on Substack for now.
This is such good advice! It's helpful even in planning stages, as I'm working on putting together articles for the newsletter, comics, social media posts, etc.
What's interesting with nonfiction articles...agents would reach out to journalists like myself or friends of mine who wrote a great article and encourage them to turn their story into a book. Sometimes it really works. Example: Crying in H Mart. And sometimes it just doesn't, [insert titles of books I don't want to insult, including one that I ghostwrote]. When I worked in magazines, we always tried to differentiate between what makes a great long-form magazine article and what would make an incredible narrative nonfiction book, like Friday Night Lights. In the end, I think it often just comes down to the writer. There are certain writers that are so good (Susan Orlean) that I would read what they wrote even if it was a book about something incredibly boring (like orchids!). But the key to knowing if you have a book is a book proposal. When the book proposal gets boring as you try to expand it, you probably should leave it as a great magazine story. Have a great day!
Well said Brooke. And yes we have to be honest... not every book is a winner, in whatever category (impact, craft, quality, popularity, marketability, etc.) Fiction or non fiction. In my case, I stand under a deluge of ideas on a daily basis. Doesn't mean I'll turn them into anything... it's a flow that you, the writer, shapes, streamlines, hones. The novel I'm working on now is the synthesis of a few of those deluges.
Thank you! I’ve had numerous college friends urge me to write a book but it never felt quite right for a book. I’m enjoying writing short essays on Substack for now.
This is such good advice! It's helpful even in planning stages, as I'm working on putting together articles for the newsletter, comics, social media posts, etc.
This is truly written by a Taurus. Direct, yet nurturing. :)
Praise and love keeps you going — and the thing we’ll remember on our deathbed, not the book deal. But in the meantime, great tips!