What’s different about non-fiction?

September 3, 2009 by Cressida Downing (Editorial Consultant)
Filed under: Authors and Books, Getting Published 

So far my posts haven’t really distinguished between fiction and non-fiction, but there are some things you could do differently if you are submitting a non-fiction text. You can, of course, simply send in the first three chapters and a synopsis – but there is scope for much more.

Whereas for fiction, less is more, non-fiction lends itself to a lot more variety. Firstly, though, what doesn’t change? Still send in the first three sequential chapters (double-spaced) as the editor needs to know how your style flows from subject to subject. You will also still need a synopsis – this can be a bit more detailed but don’t make it more than about two pages, single spaced.

Your experience becomes much more relevant, especially if you are writing with a degree of expertise, so in your covering letter include any relevant qualifications or work experience (what agent Judy Chilcote refers to as ‘credentials’). You could also send a CV (not needed for most fiction submissions), any press coverage your idea or group has had, and relevant screen shots from web pages you may have up.

If you are doing a website to link to your submission, don’t make the mistake I made with mine initially, where I forgot to put any contact details on it! You need to remember that any supporting material for your submission should also be checked for spelling and grammatical errors, so only include what you are confident about.

If your idea needs illustration – drawings, diagrams or photographs – feel free to include them. Consider teaming up with an artistic friend if this is not your area of expertise, but err on the side of simplicity. You are trying to give the editor an idea of what the finished book could look like, not a completed project.

It is more common for work to be taken on before completion when it comes to non-fiction, but publishers are wary of ‘great ideas’ that require an advance upfront to be completed. Trust me, if there were an expenses fund for a book like  ‘Interviews With Great Cocktail Makers of the Caribbean’, the person reading your manuscript would already have applied!

Yours, Cressida

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Comments

4 Comments on What’s different about non-fiction?

  1. Jeff Rainsden on Sep 3, 2009 at 11:51am

    2. I have finshed a book that combines both fiction and non fiction in particular with characters. Do I have to be careful with the use of real people, eg Barack Obama, I haven’t been derogatory but it adds to the book if he’s not a fictional named president, I’ve also metioned Mr Clinton and his escapades with a certain young lady, should I be changing the names?

  2. Cressida Downing (editorial consultant) on Sep 6, 2009 at 08:52am

    3. Jeff Rainsden – you are fine to mention real names of real people to give your novel more credence.

    You are on trickier ground if you are going to use the real people as characters, for example if you have Clinton murdering your hero.

  3. Wendy on Sep 11, 2009 at 19:08pm

    4. HI Cressida,

    Thanks for this post – really useful. I have a non fiction book I would love to get published… I have identified a publisher or two that would be perfect (they publish on similar, but slightly different, topics & my book would sit comfortably alongside them in terms of tone & audience). But the publisher’s website says ‘no unsolicited submissions’.
    Where now? Do I send it anyway & end up unread on a slush pile, or do I need an agent, or do I try someone else?

    Thanks so much in advance for your advice!

  4. Claire Fogg (Publisher, Yearbooks) on Oct 29, 2009 at 14:12pm

    5. Interesting question there, Wendy, and I’m sure other users must be wondering the very same thing. What do you do if you’ve done your homework only to discover that your dream publisher doesn’t take unsolicited submissions? We’ve taken note, and we’ll be adding a blog post about this very topic soon.

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