At Beyond Words, we’re looking for cutting-edge nonfiction books in the genre of Body, Mind & Spirit. We recommend that all authors work with a literary agent in submitting their work when possible and have provided more information on how to get an agent in the Frequently Asked Questions at the bottom of this page.

For agents interested in learning more about the genres we publish, we recommend surveying the list below as well as our recent titles to paint a clear picture of what we’re looking for. Please note that we are unable to respond to unsolicited email, telephone, and fax queries.

We ARE accepting submissions in Children’s, Young Adult, and Adult nonfiction for:

• Body, Mind & Spirit—Material that fosters total well-being in all aspects of a person’s life
• Global Native Wisdom—Work that represents the wisdom, traditions, and spiritual viewpoints of indigenous cultures from around the world
• Holistic Health—Guidance from doctors or other medical professionals that integrates the body, mind, and spirit into medical issues
• Science & Spirituality—Investigations into the emerging realms of science
• Spiritual Lifestyles—Books that reflect the changing balance between spirituality and the modern world
• Spiritual Parenting—Thoughtful works for raising and educating spiritual children

We are NOT accepting queries in the following categories:

• Children’s and Young Adult picture books, including Poetry/Rhyme
• Fiction, Short Stories, Memoirs, Poetry, or Novels
• Cookbooks, Textbooks, or other Reference books
• Illustrated Coffee Table or Photography books

Please send the entire manuscript if it’s complete. If you have a partial manuscript, please indicate its current status in your letter. Whether partial or complete, your query letter should also include the current word count.

A complete proposal MUST contain the following:

• A one- or two-page query letter
• An author biography, including any promotional activities, websites, or marketing items he or she may already be involved with
• At least five sample chapters or the entire manuscript
• A complete synopsis of the book, plus the table of contents
• Market analysis, including comparative/competitive titles already out as well as the book’s intended audience
• A self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) if you want your materials returned (THERE WILL BE NO RETURNS OTHERWISE)

All materials must be submitted double-spaced, in 12-point font, and on white 8 1/2 x 11 paper. Please limit your collateral or unusual packaging to the minimum needed to express your point, and always include a SASE (self-addressed, stamped envelope) with sufficient U.S. postage to cover the return of the materials, if desired. If you would not need your materials returned, please state this on your query letter, and let us know whether your submission is simultaneous or exclusive.

Please send submissions to:

Beyond Words Publishing
c/o Submissions Department
20827 NW Cornell Road, Suite 500
Hillsboro, OR 97124

FAQs

When/How will I receive a response?

• Email, telephone, and fax queries will not receive a response.
• Because of the volume of submissions we receive, it may take up to six months to get a reply. Please do not contact us for updates during this period.
• Only submissions that include a SASE (self-addressed, stamped envelope) with sufficient U.S. postage will be returned.
• We regret that we are not able to provide critiques or comments on any work submitted.
• If you would like to receive notification that a submission has been received and logged, please include a stamped, self-addressed postcard, which we will use to notify you.

How can I submit my work for consideration?

Because of the high volume of submissions we receive, we prefer solicited manuscripts. For more information about how to find a publisher or agent, see below. (Note: any submissions sent without return postage will be recycled.)

How can I be published elsewhere?

If you are interested in being published elsewhere, these are the next steps we recommend:

1. Go to a bookstore or library and find books that are similar to your book idea. If your idea is completely unique, look for something in a closely related field or subject area.

2. Look at the copyright page of any similar books and find out the name of their publishers.

3. Consult the Literary Marketplace and/or Writer’s Market resource books at your local library to get the current contact information (address, phone number, website) and submissions guidelines for each publisher you researched. If these guidelines are unclear, contact the publishers directly, making sure to ask if they prefer to work with agents and if they prefer query letters. For children’s books and photography books, keep in mind that many publishers like to choose the illustrator/photographer, so sample illustrations/photos may not be required (unless you want to be considered as an illustrator as well).

4. Follow the guidelines the publisher gives you. Incomplete or incorrectly gathered submission packages may be passed over before they even make it to the review process.

5. Please be patient. Publishing houses are continuously working on projects at many different stages. Some will have their titles chosen years in advance, and it may take awhile to respond to your submission. Keep in mind, too, that if your manuscript is chosen, it may take a year or more before your book is ready for publication.

How do I get an agent?

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide individual recommendations on agents for your work. However, every year, a guidebook is published for the industry called Literary Marketplace, which contains a listing of agents and publishers who will know how to work with your kind of project. Additionally, a book called Writer’s Market is an excellent guide to selling your work to different magazines, literary journals, and other outlets. Both of these books are available at your local library.