For nonfiction authors pursuing a traditional book deal
Do you know what it actually takes to get a nonfiction book deal?
Agents and publishers evaluate every nonfiction submission against the same framework. PitchMark gives you access to it, so you know exactly where you stand on every variable that drives traditional acquisition decisions.
5 minutes · 20 questions across 4 categories · For nonfiction authors at any stage
The PitchMark Readiness Spectrum
How it works
The knowledge gap is the problem
Most nonfiction authors want a traditional deal. Few understand the specific variables agents and editors apply to every submission. PitchMark gives you that same framework, scored against your actual position, so you can see clearly whether traditional publishing is within reach right now and what it would take to get there.
The variables publishers actually use
Platform, uniqueness & timeliness, writing quality, and audience. These are the four categories agents and editors evaluate on every nonfiction submission. Most authors never know to ask about them.
An honest score, not a pep talk
You get a number from 0 to 100, broken down by category. If your platform is thin or your concept isn't differentiated enough, the score will show it. That honesty is the point.
A clear path forward
Traditional publishing is one path. Hybrid publishers and self-publishing are others. Your score and breakdown tell you which route fits your actual position.
Track your progress over time
Building a platform or sharpening a concept takes months. Save your results, retake the assessment as you make changes, and watch your score move as the work accumulates.
What you receive
Know where you stand before you query
20 questions. A score out of 100. A breakdown showing exactly which variables are holding you back and which publishing path makes sense for your book right now.
- Your PitchMark score out of 100
- Scores across four key publishing categories
- Where you sit on the readiness spectrum
- Which publication path fits your current position
- Tactics and resources matched to your weakest areas
Example: Business / Leadership Author
Biggest opportunity: Platform. A newsletter, speaking engagements, and a few high-profile podcast appearances could push this score into deal-ready territory.
“The authors who got deals weren’t always the ones with the best books. They were the ones who already understood what publishers were evaluating.”
Tim Vandehey · NYT Bestselling Ghostwriter
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Ready to find out where you stand?
Five minutes and 20 questions. A score out of 100, a breakdown across every variable, and a clear sense of which publishing route makes sense for your book right now.
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Publishing insights for nonfiction authors
Practical guidance on platform building, proposals, and navigating the publishing landscape. No noise. Sent occasionally.