10 Things Editors Look for in Nonfiction
1. You’ve previously written a bestselling book… maybe, um, The Holy Bible. Or Marley & Me.
2. You have a recognizable name. Like Brad Pitt. Or Oprah Winfrey.
3. You have recently been elected President of the United States.
4. You are the reigning American Idol.
5. You are an airline pilot who heroically saved the lives of over 100 people by finessing your powerless aircraft into the Hudson River.
6. You are the founder of Microsoft.
7. You are the…. what’s that? you don’t like this list?
(Hey, Bill Gates might be reading this blog, you never know.)
Okay fine, here’s a list that might help you a little more.
10 Things Editors Look For in Nonfiction
(The dead serious version.)
1. Established platform (built-in fans and potential bookbuyers).
2. Expertise and/or credentials in the subject area of your book.
3. A new and exciting idea, with a terrific title. (Yes, they do exist.)
4. A fresh take on a familiar idea. (How many parenting books do we need? Make yours uniquely compelling, and it’s possible we’ll need at least one more.)
5. A strong writing voice that compels readers. Yes, the craft of writing counts, even when your message is primary.
6. Felt-need takeaways that matter to the reader. Answer the question: What will I get out of this book? What’s in it for me?
7. A saleable concept – something people can’t already get for free elsewhere. This can be a tough one considering everything that’s on the Internet.
8. An author’s availability and commitment to playing a strong role in the marketing process.
9. A concept that could birth logical, saleable ancillary products, should the book take off. (Study guides, DVDs, specialized editions, etc.)
10. An author who is already famous (at least in his/her niche or subculture), or knows the right famous people who will offer endorsements or write the foreword.
How many can you check off your list?
Rachelle Gardner is a Christian literary agent who is looking for exceptional nonfiction projects!
[ Next Post → ] [ ← Previous Post ]
11 Responses 
If you're new to publishing, please start here: How To Get Published.
You may also want to watch this 14-minute video: Advice for New Authors.
My Twitter name is @RachelleGardner.
My passion is partnering with authors to bring worthwhile books to publication. I started this blog as a way to create a community of writers, both published and seeking publication. I write about a wide variety of topics of interest to writers, and I consider the reader comments even more important than my own posts.
Click photo for my full bio.
>Rachelle,
Here’s a question for you (as though you don’t get enough of them). I note that several successful authors of fiction have written non-fiction books as well. If you had a client who writes in both genres, would you suggest they concentrate their efforts in one area or the other? And, if so, which?
>This list is brilliant.
>#8 – Be married to someone famous, a la Jerry Seinfeld. His wife’s book took off over another very similar book on the same subject…by an “unknown.”
(Kelly pauses, knowing her gift for inserting foot in mouth & sends up prayer that Rachelle doesn’t represent Seinfeld’s wife.)
Now if only my husband would get discovered so I could ride his coat-tails.
>Kelly, that’s a very good point!
Don’t worry, I don’t represent Jessica Seinfeld. However,
–Her book and the competing one by Missy Lapine have BOTH done very well and benefitted from the controversy.
–I blogged about the whole thing last year:
http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/2008/01/cookbook-brouhaha.html
–and I own Jessica’s cookbook! Love it.
>Richard asks a very good question, and I’m curious to see the answer. If you don’t mind, Rachelle, could I take it a step further?
If one writes fiction and narrative non-fiction, and would like to seek representation for both… is that feasable? It doesn’t work to query one agent with both projects, does it? And if that’s the case, how does one determine which project takes priority?
Thank you!
>I lke the first list better. Almost as attainable as the second list. Makes me glad I’m not trying non-fiction!
>I do think having a niche is really huge. For me, I’ve worked to brand myself as America’s Nanny. I had the credentials, the platform (International Nanny Association Nanny of the Year award) and was fairly well known within the american nanny subculture. It didn’t hurt that I became friends with my british TV collegues either. Now I keep working to expand what I can write about by thinking what is special about my niche? I just wrote Working Mom’s 411- an old topic with a new and fresh persective- looking at the working moms world from the caregivers persepctive- How did I help moms and what can I teach moms. Now as a mom myself, there is another unique perseoctive..nanny turned mom- what really works..the niche is where it’s at!
>Rachelle,
That first list is terrifying! I am glad, also, to not be a non-fiction writer, at least not yet. That said, I’m glad to see you have a sense of humor about the state of publishing these days.
>I nearly fainted when I read the first list, although your point is well taken. I’ll take the second list any day, stringent though it may be.
Thanks, Rachelle. Your blog is a tremendous blessing.
>Hi, I’m new to this blog, so please forgive my ignorance, but what is narrative non-fiction? Is that like Marley & Me, a memoir that is written to read like a novel? I ask because I am writing such a book… and wouldn’t it be nice if it ends up like Marley & Me? Still working on that niche!
Rachelle, thanks for your posts. They are very helpful.
God bless you,
Cheri
>So, Rachelle, I have solid 3,6,7,8,9, and pretty good 2 yet after meetings with 4 agents at the writers conference, I was advised to write for magazines and maybe take on an MD as co-author to establish MORE PLATFORM for my lifestyle diet book. I have started that process already but it feels like maybe they just didn’t like my concept should I keep pitching or work entirely on platform and try it all again in a couple of months? I have website/blog/twitter all working well for me. Would love your thoughts. in blog or email jp@fill-my-up.com