This is so helpful, thank you! A few questions- if I’m unagented and I’m querying a nonfiction (or informational fiction) book, would an agent expect to see a bibliography? Also, if I was considering using an expert to interview or review the manuscript, would that happen before the query stage? And are experts typically paid? Thank you!! :)
I would recommend you have the bibliography before you query so the agent can see the research you've carried out. You could interview the expert at either stage but again, having the expert review on board before you query will show how thoroughly you've researched the book. Experts are not paid in my experience but you'd offer to add an acknowledgment in the book and send them a finished copy. For more on that take a look at this article: https://writersrumpus.com/2024/03/15/how-to-write-incredible-nonfiction-find-an-expert/
This is so helpful, saving it as a resource!
Thank you!
This is so helpful, thank you! A few questions- if I’m unagented and I’m querying a nonfiction (or informational fiction) book, would an agent expect to see a bibliography? Also, if I was considering using an expert to interview or review the manuscript, would that happen before the query stage? And are experts typically paid? Thank you!! :)
I would recommend you have the bibliography before you query so the agent can see the research you've carried out. You could interview the expert at either stage but again, having the expert review on board before you query will show how thoroughly you've researched the book. Experts are not paid in my experience but you'd offer to add an acknowledgment in the book and send them a finished copy. For more on that take a look at this article: https://writersrumpus.com/2024/03/15/how-to-write-incredible-nonfiction-find-an-expert/