Chapter 1 | What you need to know
Pitching non-fiction is a very different experience to pitching fiction because you don’t necessarily need to have a full manuscript written (but don’t assume this is always the case!!).
In saying this, as an aspiring author, it might be easier for you to write your nonfiction book before you pitch anyway.
You may need to do some research before you start writing your manuscript or proposal to know what your agent or publisher of choice want from you in a pitch! This will help guide your decision to whether you write in part, or full.
Be warned - having the manuscript complete does not get you off the hook when it comes to writing the proposal. If an agent or publisher wants a proposal, you still need to write one even if the book is complete.
Unless otherwise specified, the information in each section of this course is relevant for nonfiction writers too. I have made note of where the expectations will be different for you.