Advice for non-fiction writers

Getting Started

At Gill & Macmillan we have decided to focus on non-fiction publishing. Below are some tips for writing a successful non-fiction book.

1. Know your subject. Whether it’s history, true crime or cookery you need to be knowledgeable about your subject. Increasingly book buyers look for a‘name’ they recognise when buying a book, so the more qualified you are to write the book, the better.
   
   
2. Know your audience. Who is your book aimed at? If it is a specialised subject will there be enough interest in the book? It’s also a good idea to research what similar books are available to ensure your idea hasn’t already been taken!
   
   
3. As with all things, there are fashions in the book world. Different genres fall in and out of favour from year to year, but remember that it can take up to nine months for a publisher to get a book from manuscript form into the bookshops so think ahead and ask yourself if the idea will still be relevant in a year’s time.
   
   
4. Set yourself realistic, achievable goals. It’s a good idea to draw up an outline or plan of the work to guide you. You can create a personal timetable and try to set aside time each week to ensure you stick to it.
   
   
5. There are many guides to writing available in bookshops
   
   

Once you’ve written the book you’ll want to get it published. Here are some tips for making a good impression:

1. Find out which publishers specialise in your type of book. There’s no point in sending a cookbook to a poetry publisher. www.publishingireland.com has a listing of Irish publishers and a synopsis of the genre’s they publish. The Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook is a guide to all types of publishers in Ireland and the UK.
   
   
2. Once you have identified some suitable publishers, find out the name of the relevant commissioning editor. This is most easily done by telephoning the office and asking.
   
   
3. Send in a detailed proposal describing the contents of your book, who you think it will appeal to and your qualifications for writing it.
   
   
4. Don’t expect an immediate response. Publishers receive many proposals every week and it can take up to a month for us to respond. If you’d like your material sent back don’t forget to include an SAE with Irish stamps.