I'm wondering whether Publishers might be interested in the book I am writing before it is finished? Does anyone know whether publishers will "take on" a book before it is complete? There are areas of the book which I could really expand on if I had legal advice on how to go about it.

It's a non-fiction and I have the draught Synopsis and Title done so can post this to them?

Or perhaps if I finished it and then expanded on it later if they are interested? Is that something publishers do?

Yes, for non-fiction you don't have to write the book before pitching it direct to publishers.
You'll need to put together a book proposal which includes a covering letter that tells them about you and what qualifies you (what specialist and insider knowledge you have) to write this book - this is your 'author platform'.
Your target readership - the fact you've already had a request for a copy is good, as it signifies there is a gap in the market for this type of book.
A short synopsis or overview of the subject you will be writing about, and what areas you will be concentrating on.
A list of chapters and short chapter outlines/summaries - you might change these when you actually come to write the book, but it's simply to show the publisher that you know the subject matter and konw how to structure a non-fiction book (similar to structuring a dissertation).
Last but not least a sample of your writing, so a couple of pages from one of the chapters.

If they like the sound of it they will give you the nod to go ahead and write it. You will need to give them some idea of how long it will take.
I'm afraid I don't know if they pay an advance at that point, or pay the Advance on delivery of the mss.

Most non-fiction writers deal directly with the publisher, so you don't need an agent.


- NaomiM

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If you google 'non-fiction book proposal' you'll find a number of templates online.
eg, http://www.catalystonline.co.uk/GUIDELINE%20FOR%20A%20NONFICTION%20SYNOPSIS.pdf

Wot Naomi said. They would normally pay some of the advance on signature of contract, another on delivery of manuscript, and a third on publication.

I think for an unknown you might need to write a couple of chapters, so they can see that you can not only write a decent sentence, but also work out the plan into continuous prose.

Emma

Thanks for the info Naomi and Emma - my writing is very much dissertation style as that is all I've written before, but if I had more time I could build this up to be a better read.

My results and findings could amount to a bit of a "scoop" - if I send out to publishers do they have to keep it "quiet" until I decide to publish or who to publish with?? In particular it contains my medical test results.

I'm afraid I don't know the answer to that, booky.

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..my gut feeling, though, is they will keep it quiet until the book is published.

Hi Booky, my understanding is that sending a propsal and the opener is very much the way to proceed in respect of non-fic. A publisher wouldn't expect you to have written the book at that point ( unlike the newbie fiction writer).
Technically, you have copyright in anyhting you submit, until such point as you sign a contract, so a publisher should not use of divulge your work until that point. You could sue them if they do...though this of course has practical difficulties.

Have you thought about subbing to an agent who specialises in your sort of work? They would be bound to be very au fait with the legals.
Good luck, btw, it all sounds very intriguing.
HB x

Thanks loads for all of the info everyone, I'm really considering sending off to publishers now initially to see if they might be interested, before heading down the self publishing route.

I wonder does anyone know how long it usually takes to hear back from them if they are interested? Can it take quite a while or a couple of weeks? I guess they have quite alot of submissions to read through.

It's slow out there at the moment, Booky. I and various others on here have been waiting several months for some things.

I sold both my non-fiction books directly to publisher and I included a package containing a cover letter, a chapter by chapter synopsis, an overview, a c.v and some clippings of my published work.