Submission Guidelines

We're seeking titles on: consumer health, self-help, psychology, business, economics, investing, and books of regional interest -- true crime. We prefer first a proposal outlining the nature of your work, who your market is and information about your background. Due to the amount queries we receive daily, our editors are not available for phone interviews. If we're interested in taking a closer look at your book, we'll contact you after we receive your proposal. 

Note: when querying electronically, send only a one-page email, giving an overview of your book and its market. Please do not send attachments unless invited to do so.

BOOK PROPOSALS SHOULD INCLUDE:

• A one-page overview of the book
• Two or three sample chapters
• A chapter-by-chapter outline
• Number of photos or illustrations
• Author's background/credentials
• Target completion date
• Market/audience information
• Word count/number of pages

AUDIENCE / MARKET INFORMATION SHOULD INCLUDE:

• WHO IS THE AUDIENCE?
  • What is the market for your book and how many potential buyers?
  • Who wants this book? Why do they want it? Why do they need it?
  • Do you have specific marketing ideas in mind?
• 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 Amazon.com -- the largest online book store with more than one million titles in its data base. 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).
  • 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?

TRUE CRIME SUBMISSIONS
When we began Addicus Books, our focus was on regional true crime books. Although our primary focus now is consumer health books, if we see a good true crime manuscript come in, we still consider those books for publication. 
We'd like a synopsis with a clear layout of the story line, how the plot unfolds. Also, give us a sense of the book's structure as well as its scope. Why does this book need to be written?
Note: We are seeking manuscripts that have good stories behind the crimes. Unfortunately, heinous crimes happen everyday, but crimes alone do not make a book. We're looking for twists and turns in the story behind the crime -- a plot with rising action. And, we want the author to get us inside the minds of the main characters so we know what makes them tick. Characters' motivation must be established. As you can see, we're looking for many of the devices used in fiction. We also prefer fairly recent, high-profile cases. We publish high-quality, trade paperbacks and do extensive promotion within the given region.

SUBMISSION OF TEXT (for all genres)

• All materials should be clearly printed on white, 8 1/2 x 11 paper, double-spaced, with at least 1" margins on all sides.
• No more than 250-300 words per page.
• No dot matrix print outs, please.
• Do not staple, clip or otherwise bind pages in the submission.
• All submissions should include an SASE. Materials will not be returned unless accompanied by an SASE. NOTE: Do not send by Certified Mail or Return Receipt Requested.