Please send a query letter first, briefly identifying yourself and describing your book idea. Mail it to:

SOBEL WEBER ASSOCIATES, INC.
146 East 19 Street
New York, New York 10003

We will respond promptly.

If we ask to see your material:

In the case of fiction, send the opening 50 pages of your manuscript or four sample stories, along with a brief synopsis of the work.

For non-fiction, send a proposal, including an outline and sample material, as well as relevant biographical and promotional information.

All pages must be double-spaced and single-sided.

A FEW TIPS:

• Short Stories
  For submission to trade publishers, collections should be a minimum of 50,000 words and not more than 75,000. Trade publishers usually look for unity of subject or interwoven characters in a collection and are generally more inclined to take on a collection of stories if they are assured that a novel is to follow. Most of the collections we've sold have been part of a two-book contract, with the second book a novel.
• General non-fiction
  Nearly all non-fiction is sold on the basis of a proposal rather than a completed manuscript. In general, what publishers need to see is an introduction or overview of the work, an outline or annotated table of contents and a sample chapter or two. Also important is a brief biography of the author, including the author's particular qualifications for writing this book and what he or she may be able to do to help sell the book. We have rarely sold a collection of essays or a self-help book.
• Novels
  We handle only adult trade books. We are not looking for young adult novels or genre fiction, such as westerns, romances, or science fiction.
• Cookbooks
  No matter how good a cook you are, it is unlikely that publishers will be interested in a general collection of your recipes - unless you are a widely known celebrity or chef. Publishers will be as concerned about your visibility and ability to help promote a book as they are about the content of your proposed book. Do you teach cooking classes or publish articles in magazines? Have you appeared on television? As in the case of general non-fiction, most cookbooks are sold on propsal. Instead of a sample chapter, you'll need to include sample recipes - and make sure they are thoroughly tested! An interested editor may try a recipe or two.

PLEASE NOTE:

• We only consider material submitted to us exclusively and will respond within one month.
• Manuscripts or proposals should be submitted in hard copy form by mail. We do not accept faxed or e-mailed submissions.
• Include a self-addressed envelope and postage if you would like your material returned.
• Do not send original artwork or other material of value.