Demystifying Nonfiction Book Publishing
By Mary Kole
Mary Kole is a former literary agent, freelance editor, writing teacher, author of Writing Irresistible Kidlit, and IP developer for major publishers, with over a decade in the publishing industry.
You've taken the first step towards fulfilling your dream of becoming a published author. But the path to nonfiction book publishing can be tricky to navigate. The industry is vast and complex, with many technicalities and nuances that may be difficult to understand for newcomers. In this article, I’ll guide you through the ins and outs of nonfiction book publishing, explore how nonfiction book publishing works, discuss the types of nonfiction books published today, and provide practical tips on how to enter and thrive within the industry. Whether you are a seasoned writer or just starting out, this guide will help you demystify the world of nonfiction book publishing.
Nonfiction Publishing Overview
Nonfiction book publishing is a vast and complex industry that encompasses various genres such as memoirs, self-help books, biographies, history books, scientific publications, and more. To understand how nonfiction book publishing works, it's essential to know the different players involved in the process—authors (that's you!), literary agents, publishers, editors, designers, and marketers or publicists.
The first step towards getting published is finding a literary agent who believes in your work enough to represent it to publishers. Literary agents are like gatekeepers—they receive countless submissions from writers but only represent those whose work they believe have potential. Agents receive about 15% commission on any deal they make for their clients. It’s important to note that nonfiction is often sold on proposal, meaning you’ll write up a comprehensive pitch document and furnish some sample chapters.
Once an agent has represented your work successfully to publishers (which could take months or even years), then comes the contract negotiation stage. At this point in time, you'll consider royalties (the percentage of revenue earned by each copy sold), advances (an upfront payment given by publisher before publication), rights (translation rights or movie adaptation rights) etc.
The Nonfiction Publishing Landscape
Now let's talk about the different types of nonfiction books published today. Memoirs are one of the most popular nonfiction genres, as they provide readers with a glimpse into someone's life story. It’s important to note that memoir writers don’t sell on proposal. These projects are sold more like fiction, with a complete manuscript. Self-help books are another popular genre—these books aim to teach readers how to improve their lives in various ways, from boosting productivity to managing finances.
Biographies and history books give us insights into people who have made significant contributions to society or events that have shaped our world. Science books contain research-driven information on various topics, ranging from medicine to astronomy. Business and marketing strategy books are aimed at a target audience of thought leaders who want to be more effective in their functions within a larger enterprise.
Thriving as a Nonfiction Author
Finally, let's discuss how you can enter and thrive within the nonfiction book publishing industry. To succeed as a nonfiction author, you need to have a unique voice, extensive knowledge of your subject matter (including relevant professional qualifications to back up your author platform), and the ability to engage your readers genuinely. To get started on your publishing journey, consider attending writing workshops or conferences where you can network with other writers and agents. You may also want to seek out mentorship opportunities with experienced authors who can offer guidance and support.
It's essential to develop a strong online presence through social media platforms such as Instagram or X—wherever your target audience congregates online. Building relationships with literary agents or publishers through these platforms can help increase your chances of getting noticed.
Nonfiction book publishing is an exciting and dynamic industry for aspiring writers looking to share their expertise with the world. With this comprehensive guide, I hope you feel more confident in navigating the technicalities of the publishing process and finding success as a nonfiction author. Remember that persistence is key in this business; it may take time and effort before seeing results but don't give up! Keep honing your craft, building connections within the industry, and never stop learning and working on how you express your unique ideas.
Ready to expand your writing and publishing knowledge? Covering a wide range of topics for all stages of the writing process, my books will help you navigate the publishing world and refine your craft. The publishing landscape is constantly evolving, and I’m always looking for new and innovative resources to help writers succeed.