This is quite helpful for someone like me who wrote a proposal some time ago. I need to do a thorough review and update.
Question: Most agents I have queried ask to see a proposal only for fiction. But they don't *specifically* put memoir in the non-fiction category. Memoir "stories" align more with fiction in that they aren't about current events, or how to de-clutter your life, e.g. Directions often aren't clear. Their proposal guidelines seem to address non-fiction books yet to be written, but like fiction, memoir is expected to be complete prior to query. What to do?
Also, a few agents have requested a proposal that goes outside or way beyond the usual proposal format, requiring a heavy re-write. Again, what to do?
Hi Annie! Fiction doesn't require a book proposal; nonfiction does. Memoir is a strange bird these days. It is, of course, nonfiction, but historically, memoir has been sold like fiction--based on the quality of the story and writing. Readers expect memoir to read like a novel, and at least historically, they've tended to read memoir for the same reasons they read fiction.
Today, though, the big publishers and their imprints look for "platform-driven" memoir (I'M GLAD MY MOM DIED, BECOMING) or hybrid memoir, which combines personal narrative with professional expertise (WIRED FOR MUSIC, THE YEAR OF THE HORSES).
I'm not certain (I'm not sure who is!) but my sense is that publishers want proposals for memoir so they can evaluate the author's platform as well as their marketing & publicity plans. Platform = ability to reach readers (aka, how is this author and this book going to make us money?)
All I can say is, follow the instructions, even if that means doing a heavy rewrite (frustrating, I know!).
Here are some other posts you might find interesting or helpful:
It does help, thank you. I've always included a proposal, unless one is specifically *not* requested for memoir. And yes, I jump through all the unique hoops an agent might come up with.
Very helpful. Even my agent asked for a proposal when I pitched a non-fiction book idea. Not only did the proposal help me to better organize my thinking but it helped my agent to see my vision and made her job easier to pitch the non-fiction idea to publishers.
Secondly, I agree it's always important to keep writing -- no matter what. But I don't agree it feels like the world is coming to an end. There has been upheaval since time immemorial. It is what it is. This world owes us nothing. Keep the faith. Whatever one thinks is horrible, will pass. But keep writing. It's good for the soul--not matter what.
This is quite helpful for someone like me who wrote a proposal some time ago. I need to do a thorough review and update.
Question: Most agents I have queried ask to see a proposal only for fiction. But they don't *specifically* put memoir in the non-fiction category. Memoir "stories" align more with fiction in that they aren't about current events, or how to de-clutter your life, e.g. Directions often aren't clear. Their proposal guidelines seem to address non-fiction books yet to be written, but like fiction, memoir is expected to be complete prior to query. What to do?
Also, a few agents have requested a proposal that goes outside or way beyond the usual proposal format, requiring a heavy re-write. Again, what to do?
Thank you Sarah!
Hi Annie! Fiction doesn't require a book proposal; nonfiction does. Memoir is a strange bird these days. It is, of course, nonfiction, but historically, memoir has been sold like fiction--based on the quality of the story and writing. Readers expect memoir to read like a novel, and at least historically, they've tended to read memoir for the same reasons they read fiction.
Today, though, the big publishers and their imprints look for "platform-driven" memoir (I'M GLAD MY MOM DIED, BECOMING) or hybrid memoir, which combines personal narrative with professional expertise (WIRED FOR MUSIC, THE YEAR OF THE HORSES).
I'm not certain (I'm not sure who is!) but my sense is that publishers want proposals for memoir so they can evaluate the author's platform as well as their marketing & publicity plans. Platform = ability to reach readers (aka, how is this author and this book going to make us money?)
All I can say is, follow the instructions, even if that means doing a heavy rewrite (frustrating, I know!).
Here are some other posts you might find interesting or helpful:
https://courtneymaum.substack.com/p/which-sells-better-hybrid-memoir
https://brevity.wordpress.com/2024/12/04/impossible/
Hope this helps!
It does help, thank you. I've always included a proposal, unless one is specifically *not* requested for memoir. And yes, I jump through all the unique hoops an agent might come up with.
Very helpful. Even my agent asked for a proposal when I pitched a non-fiction book idea. Not only did the proposal help me to better organize my thinking but it helped my agent to see my vision and made her job easier to pitch the non-fiction idea to publishers.
Secondly, I agree it's always important to keep writing -- no matter what. But I don't agree it feels like the world is coming to an end. There has been upheaval since time immemorial. It is what it is. This world owes us nothing. Keep the faith. Whatever one thinks is horrible, will pass. But keep writing. It's good for the soul--not matter what.