The English Letter
Write Your Way To Success
Published by Wayne A. English
October 2025

In January we begin a three part series on digital images, how to make them, where to acquire them, cell phone photography, and how to create an effective book cover that looks good full size and as a thumbnail.

Steps To Publishing Nonfiction With an Agent or Publisher

Fiction and nonfiction books are very different projects from a writer's point of view. A fiction project must be fully written when submitted to an agent or publisher.

A nonfiction book does not need to be complete before you pitch it because its book proposal sells the book as it contains all the information needed for an agent or publisher to determine if they can sell it.

Follow this link to see the book proposal that sold my first book Web Content Rx: A Quick and Handy Guide for Writers, Webmasters, Ebayers, and Business published by Career Press.

Obtain, and follow, the guidelines for the publisher you're pitching. If working with an agent provide what the agent wants. You will be asked to include:

The competition
The intended reader
Your qualification to write the book
Who will purchase your book
Your writing style
What you will do to help with marketing
Your biography and publication list if you have one
The first chapter or maybe the first two or three chapters
And more

How To Approach An Agent or Publisher

Before submitting visit their website and verify that they are taking submissions. Don't trust anyone or any email that provides a list of agents. Many on the list will not longer be taking unsolicited proposals. Many publisher only take books from agents. Why? The agent filters out the non-saleable books so the publisher doesn't have to do that.
Most publishers and agents want email. This is stated on their website.
Read their guidelines and verify that they publish what you're selling. For example: if you've pitching a children's book do not sent it to a publisher who publishes mysteries
Read their guidelines for a submission and follow them scrupulously it is important that you provide what they want - no more - no less
Email your submission and keep track of what you have submitted and to what agency or publisher. Record the data, email address, title of your book and to the exact agent you sent the proposal
Most all agents will get back to you within a week or so. Some won't, so don't wait. Keep sending out your book. Should you go with another house just let the other agents or publishers
Agents and publishers used to state that there were to be no simultaneous submissions meaning that you have to wait for them to refuse or accept before sending to another agent - that's why we say 'Never allow anyone to tell you how to do business.' in every newsletter.
When you get a contract - Read Every Word - before you sign it.Pay attention to the delivery date that your book is expected to arrive and make sure you have enough time to write and submit it. If you need more time, change the date to something you can live with.

Book Recommendations

The Eight by Kathleen Neville is superb fiction. Well written, well researched. It is excellent..

Online Tool For Writers

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips Mignon Fogarty is the founder of the Quick and Dirty Tips network and creator of Grammar Girl, which has been named one of Writer's Digest's 101 best websites for writers multiple times.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Exercise Caution When Using AI

There are many AI tools online. You can find them with a search using your favorite search engine. Search for 'AI tools.'
These tools can make graphics, summarize video text, search the web, answer questions, and write a book. Here's a resource list to get you started: Synthesia

We recommend that you not publish AI generated content unless you have personally edited it and have the expertise to know that the material is true and accurate. The technical term for an AI presenting false information is 'hallucinating.'

Got a question?

Is there something you'd like to ask?
Send it to Wayne@WayneAEnglish.com.

The Business Blurb

Never allow anyone to tell you how to do business.

• Bye For Now •

Wayne A. English is an award-winning author of five books, many articles, short stories, and poetry. Wayne is published in local, national, and international publications. He lectures on writing, publishing, and marketing. To learn more about him visit WayneAEnglish.com and read his blog MarketWrite for all things writing related.

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