"The querying process has two essential components, both of which must be ready before sending the first email. The query letter itself is a one-page pitch: a compelling introduction to your book's central argument, its relevance to current debates and why you're the person to write it. Think of it as the elevator pitch that gets you in the room."
"Ask yourself: Is my idea urgent and pressing for readers outside of academia? Does it impact their lives? Should this argument be discussed not only in classrooms but at dinner tables? Also, a good story is vital-not just in getting the reader in the door but also keeping them there. Can you do those two things-tease out collective stakes and also craft your idea in a compelling narrative?"
A one-page query letter and a detailed book proposal are essential starting points for academics aiming to publish commercial nonfiction. The query must clearly state the central argument, public relevance, and author qualifications in a compelling, elevator-pitch format. The book proposal should be comprehensive, often spanning around 50 pages, and include overview, author platform, chapter summaries, market analysis, promotion plans, and sample chapters. Trade-worthy ideas are those that are urgent for nonacademic readers, impact daily life, and invite discussion beyond classrooms. Strong storytelling that teases collective stakes and crafts a compelling narrative is crucial to engaging general readers.
Read at Inside Higher Ed | Higher Education News, Events and Jobs
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