If your query letter gets a response from an agent, be prepared to send in a completed novel or
full nonfiction proposal — and not just the kernel of an idea.
Not exact matches
With a novel, this will almost always mean an edited
full manuscript; in
nonfiction, I'd generally want to read at least the fundamental elements of a
proposal (outline, sample pages, etc.).
The fact that
nonfiction authors don't typically write the
full manuscript until after acceptance of their
proposal (with the exception of memoir and creative
nonfiction) is indicative of how much platform means to their publication.
You can pitch
nonfiction with a
full proposal and sample chapters.