If you read my interview a few weeks ago with Irina Dumitrescu, a prolific book reviewer and literary essayist, then you know that the nonfiction world is something that has baffled me.
I love getting books in the mail months after I purchase them. I usually completely forget about my order, so it feels like a magical free book from heaven has descended down to me. Also added The Default World to my cart. Can't wait.
On the topic of the amorphous “nonfiction” genre, I think I’ve spotted a micro-genre: a preternaturally curious person takes you on a first-person journey through their obsessive interest—and along the way, broader meaning emerges. I need a pithy name for it. “Classics” of this genre: Lulu Miller’s Why Fish Don’t Exist, Naomi Klein’s Doppelganger, and Rebecca Romney’s Jane Austen’s Bookshelf. (All favorites of mine). What’s innovative is that the author’s investigative journey is an explicit part of the story, its spine really. This formally dispenses with the pretense that a nonfiction work could possibly be unbiased, and in the process makes for a more interesting read (in my view).
Naomi, your interview with Irina gave me the idea to try turning this genre-spotting into a book review. It would be my first, if I actually go for it. It may be less a review and more a celebration of a pattern, so I’m not quite sure how that would fit in terms of pitching.
Though full disclosure, I’m querying a nonfiction proposal that resides squarely in this micro-genre. So maybe I’m like Regina George trying to make “fetch” happen.
I remember that line from the Power issue of NY Mag! It's probably the kind of quote that anyone would keep if they had to cut down a profile into a couple of hundred words, but the fact that it's in written by Emily Gould also seems very fitting. That's such great news that someone like that is your agent. Alia seems so even-keeled and smart. I know she's not doing something like what you're doing on Substack, but I wonder if you could adopt her philosophy of thinking of it as not social media by just sort of detaching from the uglier emotional level stuff?
I'd read your Mahabharata memoir, by the way. Something that, as Alia says, "traced the arc of a writer’s career and tried to give aspiring writers a sense of the many different ways a career can unfold" through your reading of the Mahabharata. It could be a mix of tales, personal history, etc.
A bit off the main thrust of the interview, but it is hilarious to see the kinds of books that my friends and I write introduced as an exotic species in a world where memoirs are the norm for "nonfiction." One thing that distinguishes our books is that, while the topics we choose reflect something about ourselves, the books are not about us but about the world. They're driven by more by curiosity than introspection.
Maybe you should write a post about how you got into the business ;) From a reader's perspective, regular nonfiction books are the norm, but most of the advice for nonfiction writers is geared to memoirists.
Naomi Kanakia goes a long way down the rabbit hole I love: how to deepen your understanding of the process of turning an idea or an insight into a book. The work is hard. I've been chasing a particular crime -- the world's best bank burglary -- for fifty years on and off. I broke the story as a reporter in 1972 and thought I understood it. Then, five years ago, the chief burglar, a sociopathic rascal with a sense of humor, twisted the tale into a glorious adventure. I spent lots of time with him and with the renegade FBI agent who put him away. Between the two contact points, I now understand that crime is a human process with real characters, real drama, real lies and real heroics. Now I'm ready to write a book that captures all of it. Title: If Men Were Angels.
Naomi and Alia Hanna Habib understand the path I have followed and while my book may not work for either one of them, they validate my journey with this post. Thank you both. Everybody needs a little validation once in a while, even if it is just the ticket for the parking garage.
I have known and respected Alia Hanna Habib's name as a nonfiction agent for a long time. It was a very interesting dialogue. In some ways, it is even encouraging, especially regarding the platform. Thank you!
Preordered. Thanks!
I love getting books in the mail months after I purchase them. I usually completely forget about my order, so it feels like a magical free book from heaven has descended down to me. Also added The Default World to my cart. Can't wait.
Thank you so, so much! Save your digital receipt as we will soon be announcing a pretty great sweepstakes …
Excellent. Will do!
On the topic of the amorphous “nonfiction” genre, I think I’ve spotted a micro-genre: a preternaturally curious person takes you on a first-person journey through their obsessive interest—and along the way, broader meaning emerges. I need a pithy name for it. “Classics” of this genre: Lulu Miller’s Why Fish Don’t Exist, Naomi Klein’s Doppelganger, and Rebecca Romney’s Jane Austen’s Bookshelf. (All favorites of mine). What’s innovative is that the author’s investigative journey is an explicit part of the story, its spine really. This formally dispenses with the pretense that a nonfiction work could possibly be unbiased, and in the process makes for a more interesting read (in my view).
Naomi, your interview with Irina gave me the idea to try turning this genre-spotting into a book review. It would be my first, if I actually go for it. It may be less a review and more a celebration of a pattern, so I’m not quite sure how that would fit in terms of pitching.
Though full disclosure, I’m querying a nonfiction proposal that resides squarely in this micro-genre. So maybe I’m like Regina George trying to make “fetch” happen.
I remember that line from the Power issue of NY Mag! It's probably the kind of quote that anyone would keep if they had to cut down a profile into a couple of hundred words, but the fact that it's in written by Emily Gould also seems very fitting. That's such great news that someone like that is your agent. Alia seems so even-keeled and smart. I know she's not doing something like what you're doing on Substack, but I wonder if you could adopt her philosophy of thinking of it as not social media by just sort of detaching from the uglier emotional level stuff?
I'd read your Mahabharata memoir, by the way. Something that, as Alia says, "traced the arc of a writer’s career and tried to give aspiring writers a sense of the many different ways a career can unfold" through your reading of the Mahabharata. It could be a mix of tales, personal history, etc.
"Vyasa & Me: My Epic Journey Through the World's Longest Poem"
It sells itself! Maybe!
Naomi! Alia! Thank you both for the lovely shout out. (Cute little family reunion over here)
I was literally like HAVE YOU READ LAURA MCGRATH?!?!!?
A bit off the main thrust of the interview, but it is hilarious to see the kinds of books that my friends and I write introduced as an exotic species in a world where memoirs are the norm for "nonfiction." One thing that distinguishes our books is that, while the topics we choose reflect something about ourselves, the books are not about us but about the world. They're driven by more by curiosity than introspection.
Maybe you should write a post about how you got into the business ;) From a reader's perspective, regular nonfiction books are the norm, but most of the advice for nonfiction writers is geared to memoirists.
Congratulations on your new representation!!!!!
Naomi Kanakia goes a long way down the rabbit hole I love: how to deepen your understanding of the process of turning an idea or an insight into a book. The work is hard. I've been chasing a particular crime -- the world's best bank burglary -- for fifty years on and off. I broke the story as a reporter in 1972 and thought I understood it. Then, five years ago, the chief burglar, a sociopathic rascal with a sense of humor, twisted the tale into a glorious adventure. I spent lots of time with him and with the renegade FBI agent who put him away. Between the two contact points, I now understand that crime is a human process with real characters, real drama, real lies and real heroics. Now I'm ready to write a book that captures all of it. Title: If Men Were Angels.
Naomi and Alia Hanna Habib understand the path I have followed and while my book may not work for either one of them, they validate my journey with this post. Thank you both. Everybody needs a little validation once in a while, even if it is just the ticket for the parking garage.
I have known and respected Alia Hanna Habib's name as a nonfiction agent for a long time. It was a very interesting dialogue. In some ways, it is even encouraging, especially regarding the platform. Thank you!
Terrific. Thanks Naomi!