We represent:

Fiction

We specialize in women’s fiction: including inspirational fiction, romantic suspense, contemporary and historical romances, and multicultural fiction.
We are currently most actively seeking to represent:
Historical novels from any country or time period; contemporary fiction including novels with romance or suspense elements; and multi-cultural fiction.  We are also seeking inspirational fiction in a broad range of genres including: suspense and mysteries, historicals, romance, and contemporary novels. We are taking on writers in other genres as well but would particularly like to expand our list in these areas.

Nonfiction

In nonfiction , we represent the following: narrative nonfiction; memoirs; books related to body, mind and spirit; health and medicine; inspirational and religious books; psychology, relationship and self-help; parenting; animals and nature; as well as contemporary issues and any trade nonfiction written by prominent authorities in their fields. We are most actively looking for narrative nonfiction and health books.

We do not represent:

We do not represent horror, true crime, erotica, children’s books, short stories or novellas, poetry, screenplays.

We do not represent: technical, photography or art/craft books, cookbooks, travel, or sports books.

Submission Guidelines

Submission Requirements for Fiction …

Note that your novel must be completed before you send your submission to us.

Please include the following with your submission:

• A cover (or query) letter that includes an overview of your book, and the following:
  • The genre of your novel (e.g. women’s, inspirational, historical, suspense, literary, etc.)
  • An estimated length (pages) or word count
  • A short bio and any previous publishing or writing credits
  • Contact information, including: address, phone/fax numbers, and email address
• A one or two page synopsis of your book. Please include the ending. We must know how the conflicts presented are resolved.
• The opening pages (5 to 10) or first chapter.

Mention similar books or writers in your genre so that we can begin to think about how we might market your work. The brief description and bio should be similar to those found on jacket copy of published books. If this is to be your first published book, please tell us how you have learned to write fiction: such as University studies or working with a private editor; conferences attended; writers’ groups like RWA or MWA you have joined, and so on. If you have already been published by a publishing house please include the previous titles.

Submitting Your Fiction Proposal …

Submit your fiction project via email. Please note that we accepts proposals only from residents of the U.S. and Canada.

Send the query letter, synopsis, and sample pages within the body of the email. Please format your material in an easy to read format format. We do not accept or read unsolicited attachments. Include the word QUERY, and also the title of your project in the email subject line. We will respond via email or phone within two weeks if we are interested in your project and need additional material. Otherwise, you will not receive a response other than an auto-reply email acknowledging your initial email submission. We aplogize in not being able to respond personally to every submission that we receive.

Address your email to: queries@natashakern.com

Agency Client Fees

The agency does not charge a reading fee and does not use outside readers. Submission of material does not guarantee the agency will represent the author or render the work more salable to publishers. The agency receives a 15% commission on domestic sales, splits a 15% commission on film sales with our Hollywood subagents, and splits a 20% commission with subagents for foreign rights sales.

Submission Requirements for Nonfiction …

Note that for nonfiction projects it is essential that you have an original idea and strong expertise in your subject matter.
It is important that you include all of the following with your nonfiction submission:

• A three to five page query letter that includes:
  • A one-page concept or overview of the book explaining the subject
  • A description of the audience (who will buy the book and why — be very specific).
  • A brief description of your credentials (what makes you an expert on this subject).  Information about your ability to reach these readers, such as workshops, speaking engagements, articles, etc. Include your writing credentials.
  • A list of two or three competing titles (what popular books would be on the same shelf in a bookstore) and an explanation of how your book is newer, better, or different.
  • A marketing plan for your book (see Marketing Plan below).
  • Projected length/word count. Number and kind of illustrations if any.
  • Indicate whether a complete proposal is available and your target date for completing the manuscript.
  • Contact information, including: address, phone/fax numbers, and email address
• A sample chapter from your book.

Marketing Plan
We believe that you should have given considerable thought toward a market plan for you nonfiction project. This plan should include answers to the following questions …

• WHO IS THE AUDIENCE?
  • Who are the potential readers? i.e. Who wants this book? Why do they want it? Why do they need it?
• HOW DOES YOUR BOOK HELP THE READER?
  • How will this book benefit the buyer? How will it help them?
  • What need does it fill for your target market?
• WHAT MAKES YOUR BOOK SPECIAL?
  • What makes your book different from other such books? (Are there other such books?)
  • Does your book have more information? Is it more comprehensive, easier to use? What advantages does it have over the competition? Why will people buy it instead of something else?  Note: Please do a data base search for competing titles through. Report your findings in your proposal.
• MARKETING NICHES / SPECIAL MARKETS (Please be thorough here.)
• List any special markets your book may have outside regular trade book channels (book stores):  Groups, workshops, churches, organizations, etc.
• Could sales result from your contacts– associations, organizations, corporations, groups, hospitals, treatment centers, workshops, seminars or speaking engagements?
• Which magazines or professional/trade journals may review your book or print articles by you which in turn promotes the book?
• Do you have specific ideas for marketing your book?
• How willing are you to be active in marketing your book?

Sending In Your Nonfiction Proposal …

Submit your nonfiction project via email. Please note that we accepts proposals only from residents of the U.S. and Canada.

Include the material listed above within the body of the email. We do not accept or read unsolicited attachments. Include the word QUERY, and also the title of your project in the email subject line. We will respond via email or phone within two weeks if we are interested in your project and need additional material. Otherwise, you will not receive a response other than an auto-reply email acknowledging your initial email submission. We aplogize in not being able to respond personally to every submission that we receive.

Address your email to: queries@natashakern.com

Some Recommended Reading for Nonfiction Proposals

We recommend the following books to assist your nonfiction proposal. These books are ideal for understanding book proposals for self-help, how-to and popular nonfiction subject:

Agency Client Fees

The agency does not charge a reading fee and does not use outside readers. Submission of material does not guarantee the agency will represent the author or render the work more salable to publishers. The agency receives a 15% commission on domestic sales, splits a 15% commission on film sales with our Hollywood subagents, and splits a 20% commission with subagents for foreign rights sales.