How to Publish a Nonfiction Book Without an Agent: A Guide for New Authors
As a Nonfiction Author, Do You Need an Agent to Get Published? No!
Many authors believe they must have a literary agent to publish a nonfiction book in the US. It’s time to debunk that myth once and for all.
You do not actually need an agent if you target the dozens of independent trade publishers and university presses that encourage direct submissions.
While the Big 5 publishers and many other presses do require representation, your options are far more extensive than you might think.
As a nonfiction book coach and editor who has guided authors for nearly a decade, I’m here to show you how to navigate this landscape successfully.
Traditional Publishing, Without an Agent
Most authors assume an agent is required for an acquisitions editor to even glance at a proposal, but that’s not often true. The American publishing industry is much friendlier to direct outreach than you may have been told.
Dozens of independent trade publishers and university presses actively encourage authors to submit their work directly. These houses are often more specialized and may be a better fit for your topic, whether it’s early American history, leadership development, a specialized health and wellness book, or some other genre.
It is also important to understand that your book may be ideal for traditional publishing but not ideal for an agent. Many publishers simply do not require agents. Most literary agents focus on authors with large online followings, books on highly marketable or trendy topics, projects likely to sell at least 5,000 copies, and books that involve complex negotiations such as foreign rights or licensing.
In other words, you may be wasting your time trying to find an agent when you could just work with a publisher directly yourself. Besides, it’s faster and simpler and you keep more of the money! (That’s not to say an agent isn’t “worth it”; they share knowledge and connections and open doors, yet they’re not for every traditionally published author.)
Finding Publishers That Don’t Require Agents
Study your own bookshelf. Who published books similar to yours?
Search their websites for “Submissions,” “For Authors,” or “Proposal Guidelines” pages and read carefully.
Check whether they accept unsolicited proposals. Many do.
Use curated lists to save time and avoid dead ends.
Find your match with my List of Traditional Publishers for Nonfiction Books in the US.
Publishing a Book with an Independent Publisher
Some are trade publishers that produce books for general audiences. Others are small or mid‑sized presses that focus on specific niches. Because they are not trying to serve everyone, they are often more open to working directly with subject matter experts like you.
Independent presses often value expertise, platform, and clarity of vision more than celebrity status or massive social media followings. If you can show that your book fills a gap in their catalog and has a clear audience, you are already well positioned.
Publishing a Book with a University Press
If your book is research‑intensive, academic, or focused on a specific region, you might consider publishing with a university press. These presses are prestigious, mission‑driven, and widely respected. Their books often end up in thousands of libraries and classrooms worldwide.
University press titles may target academic readers, general readers, or both, and they typically include endnotes and bibliographies.
Most university presses allow authors to query acquisitions editors directly, and you can identify suitable presses the same way you would locate trade publishers.
The Association of University Presses website, as is The Book Proposal Book: A Guide for Scholarly Authors by Laura Portwood-Stacer, if you’re considering publishing with a university press.
What to Expect from a University Press
Peer review: Experts in your field (usually university professors) evaluate your manuscript and advise the publisher.
Longer timelines: Academic publishing moves slowly but deliberately.
High credibility: A university press imprint signals authority and rigor.
If your book blends scholarship with accessibility, a university press may be your ideal home.
Nonfiction Book Proposal
To get published without an agent, your pitch must present a clear business case for why your book will sell.
A professional nonfiction book proposal typically includes:
Overview: A compelling summary that hooks the editor immediately.
Audience analysis: Who will buy your book and why.
Competitive analysis: How your book stands out from existing titles.
Marketing plan: What you will do to help promote the book.
Chapter outline: A clear roadmap of your content.
Sample chapters: Your strongest writing, polished to perfection. (Here are my tips for sample chapters in a book proposal.)
It must be polished, professional, and aligned with industry standards.
It should be within the average word count for the genre.
A nonfiction book proposal template can give you the structure you need to impress even the choosiest editors. You can also check out one of the best books on getting published.
Query Letter
Your query letter is your initial foot in the door. It is a short, upbeat plug for your book that offers to send the full proposal upon request (or that acts as a cover letter for the proposal).
A strong query letter:
Establishes your authority.
Shows you understand the publisher’s mission.
Summarizes your book in a crisp, persuasive way.
Demonstrates professionalism and clarity.
This is not the place for a full pitch. Provide just enough to spark interest.
How to Pitch Acquisitions Editors Directly
To stand out immediately when contacting acquisitions editors at independent and university presses, follow these steps:
Identify the right editor. Search websites for titles like Editor, Acquisitions Editor, or similar who handle your specific subject area.
Personalize your approach. Show that you know their catalog and explain how your book complements their existing titles.
Keep your email short. Busy editors prefer outreach that is three to five paragraphs and focused on value.
Follow guidelines exactly. Adhering to the submission page instructions signals that you are easy to work with. Only include what is requested. If they ask for a query, send them a query. If they ask for a query and proposal, send them both.
Maintain your professionalism. Be confident in the value of your work and avoid groveling. Keep your sign-off brief. Act as a peer rather than a petitioner.
Don’t follow up. Publishers get hundreds of queries, many of them subpar. If they’re interested, they’ll get back to you within a few days to a few weeks. If they’re not, you’ll probably never hear back. There’s nothing more you can do that will change that.
For more on what not to do, see 5 Things to Avoid If You Want to Get a Publishing Deal for Your Nonfiction Book.
When Self-Publishing Is the Right Move
Sometimes the best way to get your book into the world is to do it yourself. Certain projects are simply better suited for self‑publishing. A book may be longer, shorter, highly niche, less in demand, or written by a new author without a large platform. In these situations, self‑publishing can be the best and most strategic path forward.
Since the early 2000s, in fact, many authors choose to self-publish because it allows them to maintain creative control and earn higher royalties.
When you self‑publish, you take on the role of project manager. You make the decisions about the cover design, the price, the distribution, and the publication date. Platforms such as Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, and Draft2Digital make your book available to readers around the world.
The goal is to ensure your book does not look self‑published. This requires investing in professional copy editing, a high‑quality cover, and a clean interior layout. When these elements are handled well, readers are more likely to be impressed and opportunities are more likely to follow.
With a clear plan and the right support, you can release a book you are proud of in far less time than a traditional publisher would take.
Do You Need a Book Coach?
Publishing a nonfiction book without an agent can be confusing. It’s easy to get stuck or make rookie mistakes that stall your progress.
A book coach is your mentor and strategist, helping you:
Identify the best publishers to target
Write a nonfiction book proposal and query letter that stand out
Guide you through the traditional publishing process
Understand the logic behind publishing decisions
Develop a marketing plan that fits your personality and budget
See Eric’s story to learn how working with a book coach made a difference in one author’s quest to get a traditional publishing book deal.
Get Your Nonfiction Book Published!
You have the story, the expertise, and the passion. You can absolutely publish your nonfiction book without an agent. Identify your best match, perfect your proposal, and start knocking the doors of nonfiction publishers accepting submissions. Or become your own publisher and get your book in readers’ hands even faster!
Resources for Getting Published
Digital Downloads
Articles
Writing a Nonfiction Book Proposal: Working with an Editor vs. a Book Coach
5 Things to Avoid If You Want to Get a Publishing Deal for Your Nonfiction Book
Publishing with a University Press: A Guide to the Process for Authors
Nonfiction Book Proposal Sample Chapters: Tips and FAQs for Traditional Publishing
The Best Books on Getting Published: Score a Publishing Deal
Working with a Traditional Book Publishing Coach: Eric’s Success Story