Non-fiction Books

Have you got an idea for a non-fiction book?

Your questions answered

Do I Need Writing Experience to Publish a Non-Fiction Book?

No. Publishers and agents evaluate expertise, platform, and the strength of your idea far more than prior writing credentials. Many successful non-fiction authors are subject-matter experts first and writers second — the manuscript is often shaped substantially through editorial support.

How Do I Know If My Book Idea Is Marketable?

Look at comparable titles already published in your category. If you can name three to five recent, reasonably successful books your book would sit next to on a shelf, that's a strong signal of a defined market. If you can't find any comparable titles, that's worth investigating before you invest years in the project.

How Long Does the Whole Process Take From Idea to Published Book?

For traditionally published non-fiction, expect one to two years from signing with an agent to the book appearing on shelves, on top of however long the proposal and querying phase takes. Self-publishing timelines are almost entirely in the author's control and can move much faster.

What's the First Step If I've Never Published Before?

Start with a clear, one-sentence description of what the book delivers to a reader and why you're the right person to write it. That single sentence becomes the seed of your book proposal and, later, your pitch to agents or publishers.

Should I Hire an Editor Before Querying Agents?

For first-time authors, a developmental edit or manuscript assessment on your proposal and sample chapters is often worth the investment — agents see a high volume of queries, and a polished, well-structured proposal signals professionalism before they've read a full manuscript.

What Mistakes Do First-Time Non-Fiction Authors Commonly Make?

The most common ones: querying before the proposal is fully developed, underestimating how much platform matters to publishers, and treating the first draft as the final draft rather than budgeting real time for developmental revision.

Do I Write the Whole Book Before Querying Agents?

Usually not. Non-fiction is typically sold on a book proposal rather than a finished manuscript, which means first-time authors can query agents once they have a strong proposal and one or two sample chapters — not the entire book.

What Is an Author Platform, and Do I Need One?

Publishers take into consideration your current following and platform engagement since it helps to predict how many people will actually buy the book. First-time authors without a large platform aren't disqualified, but should expect this question in every query and every proposal.

Need help with your non-fiction book?

Contact us to discuss how we can help you write and publish a non-fiction books

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What We Offer

We offer a range of services to meet the needs of every client. Have something else in mind?
Get in contact for a custom quote.

  • At Fae media we are deeply genre-literate editors who will cheer for
    your morally grey characters, push your pacing until it's genuinely
    unputdownable, and tell you when the magic system has a hole in it.

    Fae media might be a good fit if:

    • You're writing fantasy, romantasy, dark
      romance, dark academia, sci-fi, or dystopian
      fiction

    • You want an editor who reads your genre for
      pleasure, not just professionally

    • You need honest structural feedback — not
      just encouragement

    • You're ready to make your manuscript the best
      version of itself

  • If you’re not ready for a full developmental edit and want a shorter, manuscript review we offer a service for this. A manuscript review will help you to get your duck’s in a row and tell you where you can improve your manuscript.

  • We offer line editing, copyediting and proofreading of your books, and general overall editing.

  • We work with you to outline your non-fiction book to make sure it’s marketable, reflects your expertise and to help you write your book.

  • If you’re not sure where to start, we offer book guidance as a service to help you decide what to write about.

  • If you want to write a book, but don’t have the time or expertise, we offer ghostwriting as a service. You can share your notes, concept, subject expertise and book goal and we can turn it into a book for you.

    Note: This is a limited service and only offered on a piece-by-piece arrangement.

Our Process

Initial Pass

We take an initial pass of your manuscript to determine feasibility and right fit.

Manuscript Discussion

We send you a proposal for your manuscript that includes timelines, cost and proposed work.

Contract Discussion

We send you a contract proposal that includes pricing, finalised work proposal and inclusions.

Work begins

After the contract of work is agreed upon, and a deposit paid, we get to work.

Non-fiction Book FAQs

  • Most non-fiction books take six months to two years to draft, depending on the scope of research required and whether the author is writing part time or full time. Structural editing and revision typically add another two to four months before the manuscript is submission- or publication-ready.

  • Not always. Traditional publishers of narrative non-fiction, memoir, and business books generally expect a literary agent, but many category non-fiction publishers (educational, regional, or niche technical presses) accept direct submissions. Self-publishing removes the requirement entirely.

  • A book proposal is a marketing and content document — typically 15 to 40 pages — that pitches a non-fiction book to agents and publishers before it's fully written. It usually includes an overview, author platform, competitive title analysis, chapter outline, and one or two sample chapters. Fiction is generally sold as a complete manuscript; non-fiction is often sold on proposal alone.

  • Rates vary widely by project scope and the ghostwriter's experience, ranging from a few thousand dollars for a short project to well into six figures for a full-length book with a well-known ghostwriter. Cost typically reflects research depth, interview hours, and revision rounds included in the agreement.

  • Developmental editing addresses structure, argument, pacing, and clarity at the manuscript level — often before the book is considered finished. Copyediting comes later and focuses on grammar, consistency, and line-level correctness. Most non-fiction books benefit from both, done in that order.

  • Yes. Self-published non-fiction is increasingly common in business, self-help, and niche expertise categories, where author platform and direct audience access often matter more than traditional publisher validation. Quality editing and professional design remain essential to credibility either way.

  • Strong non-fiction titles typically combine a clear benefit or hook with a descriptive subtitle that aids searchability — for example, a short, memorable main title paired with a subtitle spelling out the book's specific promise or subject matter.

  • Short quotations used for commentary, criticism, or reference generally fall under fair use, but the safer practice is seeking written permission for anything beyond brief excerpts, especially song lyrics, poetry, or substantial passages, since fair use boundaries are fact-specific and not guaranteed protection.

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