Writing Non-Fiction?

Visit platinum sponsor The Peppertree Press.

Some of the most influential books of our time haven’t been novels. They’ve been non-fiction, books about real things, biographies, or memoirs.

If you’re writing non-fiction, this year’s conference has plenty to offer for you.

• On Saturday afternoon, literary agent Brandi Bowles will discuss how to craft a commercial memoir. She’ll discuss how to write a memoir with a unique, salable hook, how to find the elements in your memoir that resonate with readers, and how to emphasize those elements for agents and publishers.
• On Friday morning, Chris Hamilton and Mary Ann De Stefano will discuss social media for authors, including blogging, Facebook, and Twitter. Particularly for the non-fiction market, these tools can help build your credibility and help your readers find you.
• On Friday afternoon, Rik Feeney will discuss how to fine tune your website to increase sales. Rik has a strong background in non-fiction, having published 18 books on the sport of gymnastics. His tips will help your website increase sales of any published work.
• Also on Friday afternoon, Sandra Beckwith will describe how to build buzz for your book, including valuable media attention. If your book is timely and relevant to current news, media attention can be the difference between a strong seller and something that sits undisturbed on a shelf in Barnes and Noble.
• Genre breakfasts on both Saturday and Sunday will give you the chance to talk with attendees and faculty interested in non-fiction work.

Also, during the conference, the following agents, publishers, and editors will be seeking non-fiction:

• Julie Ann Howell of Peppertree Press is an independent publisher, seeking all genres.
• William Reynolds of BRIO Books is an independent publisher, seeking all genres.
• Jacqueline Smith of AM Green Publishing is seeking non-fiction in the following areas: fashion, how-to, self-help, nature/ecology, business (including small business), and politics.
• Rebecca Melvin of Double Edge Press is seeking Christian-themed books. On of Double Edge’s authors received a Governor’s Appointment for his series about the War of 1812.
• Rik Feeney is a co-op publisher, seeking any non-fiction with a strong marketing plan..
• Literary agent Brandi Bowles of the Howard Morhaim Literary Agency is seeking titles about pop-culture, music, commercial memoirs, popular science and humor.
• Natanya Wheeler of Lowenstein Yost Associates is seeking memoirs, books about birds, political and current affairs books, and books about alternative energy or with green themes.

For complete listings of all conference sessions, and the agents, editors, and publishers attending, see the conference website.