What's more, it can actually be easier to sell a book than an article or a short story in today's marketplace. If you've written a poem, short story, or article, you'll need to market it on your own. But if you're a newcomer, you'll need to finish your novel before submitting it to an agent. It's much harder to finish one. Agents and editors know that most first novels get stuck in a desk drawer after the first 50 pages, and they can't afford to gamble on the hope that your manuscript will be an exception.
Nonfiction books are a different story.
If you've written a proposal that includes sample chapters and a detailed outline, the odds are good that you'll be able to finish the book. Publishers are often willing to make nonfiction commitments on the basis of proposals, so the agent won't be wasting time and money by representing your portion and outline. All rights reserved.