If you want to share your expertise, passion, or knowledge with others, publishing a non-fiction book can be incredibly satisfying and rewarding. They are an excellent way for people to share their years of knowledge, learning, and understanding with others. Here at ShieldCrest, we work with authors in this category to create a professional and engaging piece of literature, that can be marketed to the specific sector of potential readers, with our experienced marketing and sales teams. Whether you want to write a parenting guide to sell to your online followers, a family history for the interest of your extended family, or a book about your hometown to sell locally, we can help you to realise this ambition.
Nonfiction Book Publishers in the UK
Non-fiction publishing is different from fiction book publishing, so when you are in the process of publishing non-fiction in the UK, make sure that the publishing house that you choose is experienced with non-fiction. Here at ShieldCrest, we have an experienced non-fiction team on hand and will be able to work with you to produce your book.
What Are Publishers Looking For?
Book publishers are always looking for engaging and entertaining books. Whether you are writing non-fiction or fiction, there are certain core elements that will always help you to stand out from the crowd. A well-written book, with an interesting premise, will always attract publishers. For non-fiction books, it is important that your book is extremely well-researched. If your book is about a topic that is frequently written about, then it can help if you hone in on a certain area. For example, there are many books about dogs, but you could write a book, about how the Hungarian Vizsla adapted from life as a hunting dog on the plains of Hungary to become a popular pet dog. As publishers, we look for books, where the writer’s passion for their subject shines through.
The Process of Non-fiction Publishing
Most books start with a momentary thought, a flash of an idea, that is hastily scrawled on the back of the receipt, lest it be forgotten. From this moment, you need to work on your idea, to painstakingly build it into an interesting and engaging book.
Develop Your Book Idea
Developing your book idea consists of thinking around the original idea. As with our example of the book about the Hungarian Vizsla, the more you think about the idea, the more you will channel the exact focus and angle of your book. Perhaps you will become interested in the evolution of the breed, and how this has manifested in specific character traits within the breed, before moving on to how well these different character traits have adapted to life as a pet. Your initial idea is a starting point, not the entirety, and you will need to work with and develop this idea to create an interesting and readable book.
Research Your Category
Research, research, and research. If you are writing about the history of a street over the past 100 years, you need to do your research. The internet has made hours of research available at the tips of our fingers, but for certain historic research, necessary for some book types, then you may need to visit physical archives to carry out your research. If your book talks about certain locations, then if possible, visiting these locations should be part of your research. If you are writing about your grandfather, and his action during the war, visiting war graves, or battlefields, can help to bring history into focus.
Write a Book Proposal
This is where you sell your idea. Your book proposal needs to be instantly engaging and captivating. If you have a target audience in mind for your book, then you need to state this in your book proposal, especially if you have an established group of people, who will be interested in your book. Your book proposal should include an outline and a sample chapter, so that the publishers understand exactly what your book is about, and the style in which you write.
Find a Literary Agent
As with publishers, make sure that your literary agent takes on non-fiction books. Some focus solely on fiction. If you are submitting your book to an independent publisher, you may not need a literary agent. Check the submission guidelines for each book publishing provider, as they do vary. A literary agent will help you to negotiate the best deal, but they do take a cut, so bear this in mind.
Submit to Publishers
Always read the submission guidelines for each publishing house that you submit your book to. Each publishing house will have their own guidelines and you must follow them. Make sure the publishing houses that you are submitting to, are non-fiction publishers, not every publishing house publishes non-fiction.
Negotiate a Book Deal
Once you have found a publishing house that wants to publish your non-fiction book, you will need to negotiate a book deal with them. If you have a literary agent, they will help you with this. If you don’t, make sure you understand the terms of the contract completely before you sign anything.
Write and Revise the Manuscript
Next, write your book! Once written, your manuscript will need editing. When you work with our professional team, you will have access to our experienced editors, who can work with you to polish and perfect your book.
Production and Distribution
The process of turning your typed manuscript into a physical book is incredibly exciting. We work with printers and designers to achieve this transformation. Our excellent distribution team will then start sending your book across the country, ready to be picked up and read by eagerly awaiting enthusiasts.
How Long Does it Take to Get Published?
Traditional publishing houses, such as our parent company Pressman House, can take from 4 months to a year to publish a book depending on the work involved. Here at ShieldCrest, with our self-publishing team, we work to a far quicker timeline. We can publish your book within 4 to 10 weeks, depending on how much work is required to get it ready for printing.
How Much Does it Cost to Publish?
This figure varies wildly across different publishing houses, depending on the type of contract you receive. Be sure to do your research thoroughly and understand exactly what you are getting. A mainstream publishing house won’t charge you for publishing, but your royalty payment will be much lower. A self-publishing company will charge you an initial fee, but your royalty payments will be much higher. Spend time considering the different options, and understand exactly what you are trying to achieve.
A Small Sample of Non-fiction We Have Published
Submit Your Book to ShieldCrest
Here at ShieldCrest, we are always looking for engaging and informative non-fiction books. If you have a particular interest, a unique angle on a topic, and a readable writing style, we would love to hear from you. Whether it is a niche area or a common topic but with a new angle, we would like to read it. Please follow our submission guidelines for submitting your non-fiction book to our editorial team.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I publish a nonfiction book?
Research non-fiction publishers, as not all publishers deal with this category Once you have found suitable options, then check their submission guidelines. Some publishers will only accept submissions through an agent. Once you have found a publisher you can approach, then get your book proposal in, and get writing!
2. Can I submit my nonfiction manuscript to publishers directly?
Here at ShieldCrest, we accept submissions directly from the author. Traditional publishing houses generally only accept submissions from an agent. Make sure you read the submission guidelines for each publishing house, as they will vary from publisher to publisher.
3. Can I find a publisher for my nonfiction book without an agent?
Make sure you do your research. Many publishers, especially indie publishers, and self-publishing companies accept submissions without an agent. Just make sure you check the details, as there is no point in submitting a book without an agent if the publishing house doesn’t accept these submissions.
4. What types of nonfiction books do you accept?
We have a diverse portfolio of non-fiction books. We don’t limit our list by type of book, but would rather look for engaging, thoughtful, and well-written stories, about interesting topics.
5. Should I write the entire nonfiction book before approaching publishers?
With non-fiction books, it is not essential that you write the whole book before submitting a book proposal. You will, however, need a very detailed book layout, with some sample chapters, to give the publisher a flavour of your book.
6. Is self-publishing a good option for nonfiction authors?
Self-publishing is a great option for all authors, including non-fiction authors. Many books in this category are about a very specific topic, that will be of interest to a particular group of people. A traditional publishing house may see this segment as too small, or limited, for their business approach. However, by self-publishing, you can direct your efforts towards your target audience, whilst retaining a higher share of the royalties.