Robyn Roste, Systems & Funnels

Ready to Query a Book? Tough Love to Know When You’re Ready

On this long and winding road called the publishing journey there’s the question of when to query a book. The answer isn’t too mind blowing but it comes up enough that it’s worth covering.

When to query a book

The answer of when to query a book is different for fiction and non-fiction, and there are different answers within non-fiction as well. Here are the basics.

When to query a book: fiction

If you’re querying a fiction book it both needs to be 100 per cent finished and revised/edited. In other words, your book needs to be complete.

One pub tip I read from an agent read she shouldn’t be the first person to read your book. Good advice!

When to query a book: non-fiction

This is a bit trickier to answer but I’ll try. The best advice is to check out the agent or editor you’re querying and see what their requirements are—because it seems like all non-fiction agents/editors want similar yet different things.

If you’re writing memoir or narrative non-fiction then your manuscript needs to be complete before querying (same as fiction).

However, if you’re writing prescriptive non-fiction then you do not need to have a finished manuscript before querying.

elevator pitch templates

By the way, are you stumped for how to put together a pitch about your book? I’ve created two elevator pitch templates as a free download to my resource library. They’re versatile and can work for any project.

This is a freebie you’ll need a password to access the library itself. You can get the password by popping your email address into the form below.

Once you’re in the library, navigate to the “freelancing” section and look for “Elevator Pitch Templates.”

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I’m pleased about the prescriptive non-fiction rules because it’s what I’m writing but I’ve learned you still need to have the book figured out and, like, thought through because you need an amazing book proposal should you get past the query stage.

And another hitch with prescriptive non-fiction is you need a significant platform in order to get an agent or editor. I know. But you just do.

Since learning this I can see many reasons for holding off on querying even if you’re manuscript or proposal is ready.

Because getting an agent or editor isn’t the only moving target in this adventure—there is so much more to consider.

So. We’re all excited and just want to query the heck out of our books. But I challenge you to ask yourself if you’re really ready.

Is your manuscript ready? Is your platform ready? Are you ready?

If you have considered these questions then you know when to query a book.

Would you like free writing tips? Sign up for my weekly tips & tricks, from one writer to another at robynroste.com/writing-tips.
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Extra credit: What are the best times to query a literary agent? from Writer’s Digest

More about non-fiction publishing

On this long and winding road called the publishing journey there's the question of when to query a book. The answer is changes for fiction and non-fiction.

One more thing. You may be interested in my free resource library. This is where I keep my files, downloads, ebooks, worksheets and whatever else I manage to create. I love sharing what I learn and want to keep adding to this library so it becomes a wealth of helpful goodness.

This is a free resource but I do require a password to access the library itself. You can get access by popping your email address into the form below.

Get Access to My Free Resource Library

* indicates required
On this long and winding road called the publishing journey there's the question of when to query a book. The answer is changes for fiction and non-fiction.
On this long and winding road called the publishing journey there's the question of when to query a book. The answer is changes for fiction and non-fiction.

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4 Pitch Templates

The fastest way I know how to make money as a freelance writer is to pitch companies with marketing budgets. Don’t know what to say in your pitches? Don’t worry—I’ve got four pitch templates you can start using right away!

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