It takes more than an email to hook a literary agent.

Hooking a literary agent requires more than an email inquiry.

Think you can pitch a book to agents or editors with just an email? Think again.

Earlier this week, I had a call with a business consultant who’s built a successful company and wants to write about their innovative strategies to inspire others. He was excited to pitch his book idea to agents and editors.

“I’ve seen so many people transform their teams using this method, but I just want to put the idea out there and see who’s interested,” he said. “You know, test the waters before I spend time and money on a full proposal.”

“I get the logic, but that’s not how this process works,” I replied. “Agents and editors don’t invest in ideas—they invest in fully developed projects.”

He sounded surprised. “Really? I thought they’d tell me if the concept was strong before I do all the work.”

Here’s how our conversation went.

Me: “It’s tempting to start with a quick email, but agents and editors don’t have the bandwidth for back-and-forth on undeveloped ideas. They need to see the complete picture—your book’s concept, audience, structure, and why you’re the right person to write it.”

Them: “But can’t I just ask if they’d be interested before I write the whole book?”

Me: “That’s the thing—they can’t judge their interest without a full proposal or manuscript. A pitch without those materials is like saying, ‘I have a great idea for a house—do you want to invest?’ They need to see the blueprints first.”

Them: “So, what does a proposal need to include?”

Me: “For nonfiction, it’s the roadmap for your book. It covers the concept, market analysis, audience, chapter outline, and even a couple of sample chapters to show you can deliver.”

Them: “What happens if I don’t have one ready?”

Me: “Honestly, you’ll likely be dismissed as not serious. The publishing world is extremely competitive, and the more prepared you are, the better your chances.”

By the end of our conversation, the business founder understood that agents and editors don’t gamble on vague ideas—they want to see a well-developed project that makes them confident you can deliver.

If you’re planning to pitch your book, ask yourself: Do I have the materials ready to make an agent or editor say “yes” right away? If not, it’s time to start building your proposal or finishing that manuscript.

Have you been through this process? I’d love to hear your experiences—and what surprised you—about pitching a book.

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