How to Reach a Broader Audience: An Introduction to Non-Fiction Trade Publishing with Curtis Brown and Viking/Penguin

Some of the most successful publications for general audiences are written by historians, and popular histories regularly top the non-fiction book charts. Yet it is not always clear how we might connect with trade publishers and how we should present our work to them - the world of trade history can be more than a little intimidating.  The IHR-Curtis Brown-Viking initiative aims to de-mystify the process of writing for broader audiences, taking you through the steps of writing a proposal, getting an agent, finding a publisher, and navigating the publishing process.

In this year’s talk, Elliot Prior of the Curtis Brown Group and Connor Brown of Viking/Penguin will discuss the latest trends and successes in popular history books and show how you translate your research into a book idea that could reach a wide commercial audience. They will also reveal their top tips for writing a proposal and map out what the route to publication will look like. It will be a fascinating window into both sides of the publishing industry and a practical guide for any academic looking to bring their research to a wider audience.

Elliot Prior works for the Curtis Brown Group in the books department. Alongside Gordon Wise, he represents a variety of authors with a primary focus on non-fiction, including history, ideas, politics, and sport. He is looking for writers who use their expertise to tell a compelling story, provide a fresh perspective on a classic topic, or ignite interest in new readers. Before starting at Curtis Brown, he worked as a scout at Eccles Fisher Associates and as an English Literature teacher at secondary schools in London.

Connor Brown is Editorial Director at Viking Non-Fiction. He was recognised as a Bookseller Rising Star in 2023 and co-founded Common Ground, PRH UK’s colleague network focused on class and socioeconomic background. He publishes high-quality non-fiction across history, ideas and culture, and has worked with a broad range of prize-winning and bestselling authors. He is drawn to books written by the very person you’d trust on the subject – those whose depth of scholarly or experiential knowledge is matched only by their exceptional prose and visionary ideas.

Following this event we will open-up applications for an all day and in-person session to be held at the IHR on 18th June 2025 which will offer an opportunity to workshop your projects and gain expert advice.

• Details of this application will be sent to all registered attendees when the workshop has finished.
• Please note that there are limited places available at the workshop in June 2025, and your application is not a guarantee of your place.
• Applications will be open from 18 March - 13 April 2025. Decisions will be communicated in May 2025.