Is my book a good fit for Diversion?
Currently, we publish books in the following non-fiction categories:
Business, Sports, History, True Crime, Pop Culture, and platform-based general interest titles
What is the process for submitting my project to Diversion?
Diversion is not currently accepting unagented submissions.
Do you only publish e-books?
No! Though Diversion Books started as a digital publisher, it now publishes up to fifty new titles per year in print, digital, audio, and also is able to represent books to the film industry through its partnership with Two Rivers/Ingram. The company reaches all retailers, both physical and online, and offers traditional publicity on each and every title.
Who will work with me on my book?
Diversion Books is a full-service publishing company. For new titles, you will work closely with a staff editor to shape and polish the manuscript. Then your editor and your production chief will shepherd your book through the publishing process, from formatting and converting book files to copyediting, from cover design to printing and to distribution to retailers. Diversion works in a hands-on manner for each and every title, from inception through publication. Diversion’s sales and distribution partner, Ingram Publisher Services, will sell those titles to retailers of all types. Diversion also has a full-time marketing and publicity team strategizing and implementing outreach to consumer-facing media to bring your work to the largest possible audience.
Who are the acquiring editors?
Keith Wallman has been the Editor-in-Chief of Diversion Books since 2017, shaping the publisher’s nonfiction program with a focus on cinematic and narrative-driven works. With twenty-five years in trade publishing, he has developed a deep expertise in history, politics, current events, sports, music, and true crime—subjects that have long been at the heart of his editorial interests. Before joining Diversion, Keith was Editorial Director at Lyons Press and Senior Editor at Carroll & Graf Publishers, an imprint of the Avalon Publishing Group. Over the course of his career, he has worked on multiple New York Times bestsellers, Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers selections, and finalists for the Edgar Award in the Best Fact Crime category. Known for his sharp editorial eye and collaborative approach, he is dedicated to helping authors craft engaging narratives that resonate with readers.
Toni Kirkpatrick is a Senior Editor at Diversion Books. Previously at Crooked Lane Books and St. Martin’s Press, she has published award-winning and critically-acclaimed fiction, including ALA, Anthony, CWA Historical Dagger, Lefty, and John Gardner Fiction Book Award winners. Toni is building a genre fiction list and looking for thrillers, sci-fi/fantasy, and horror. She loves cross-genre novels, fiction that brings history to life, humor, feminist retellings, political engagement, and powerful storylines that explore the human experience. Toni serves as Chair of Latinx in Publishing and is committed to publishing underrepresented writers.
Dan Ambrosio is an Executive Editor at Diversion Books. Previously at the Hachette Go imprint of Hachette Book Group, his ongoing goal is to publish bold nonfiction voices and exciting ideas, in health and wellness, work and life, by authors ready to stand out and make positive change. He has worked with dozens of authors in the areas of business, health, self-help & personal growth, psychology, parenting & education, sports & fitness, and popular culture, as well as inspirational memoir and narrative nonfiction. This includes the recent national bestseller The Work Happiness Method by positive psychologist and career coach Stella Grizont, as well as popular books by a Navy SEAL combat veteran (Embrace the Suck by Brent Gleeson) and a NASA astronaut (Moonshot by Mike Massimino). He also published the perennial seller I Wish My Teacher Knew by Kyle Schwartz, an invaluable K-12 guide for teachers, parents and communities.
Evan Phail is an Acquisitions Editor at Diversion Books with over a decade of experience spanning magazines, literary agencies, and Big 5 publishing. Having worked across multiple facets of the industry, he brings a comprehensive understanding of the publishing landscape. Evan specializes in acquiring compelling nonfiction in sports, true crime, music, history, adventure, pop culture, and geek culture. His recent acquisitions include Pelé: My Story by Pelé, Hiding Mengele by Betina Anton, Captain Kidd by Samuel Marquis, Gold Bar Bob by Isabel Vincent, and Mick & Billy by Tony Castro. Passionate about storytelling that informs and captivates, Evan is always on the lookout for bold narratives that resonate with readers.
Where will you distribute my book?
Diversion Books has longstanding relationships with all of the major retailers both online and brick and mortar and eagerly pursues opportunities in new and innovative distribution channels, including direct-to-consumer retailing. Our distribution list is constantly growing, as new models and retailers develop.
How will my book be promoted?
As extensively as possible. When Diversion signs up a title, the goal is to give each book a full promotional push. This push includes promotion to the trade encouraging bookstores and libraries to carry it, to trade and consumer media to solicit reviews of the book, and to consumers through a variety of media to entice them to purchase the title. Diversion is not solely focused on the lead-up to publication; efforts will be ongoing throughout the life of your book.
Author Platform Building and Reader Engagement
First, Diversion will help you leverage and grow your existing platform to raise visibility for you and your book. Once your project has been accepted by Diversion, we will audit your online presence, regarding everything from your social media pages to your Amazon and Goodreads accounts, with feedback on how each can be made stronger and more effective.
Retail Merchandising
In addition to full distribution through all major online retailers, our team works hands on with contacts at each of those retailers to secure any available on-site promotional placement for your book, where appropriate. Promotional examples can include seasonal placement or placement surrounding a timely event that ties in with your book, and Diversion always seeks out new opportunities to promote your titles.
Metadata and Discoverability
The in-house Diversion Books marketing team will pay special attention to optimizing your metadata (BISAC codes, web copy SEO, etc.), so you and your book pull higher in organic searches online, and on the sites of the major online retailers, for popular keyword terms.
Outreach
We will also include your book in our monthly e-newsletter, and in all of our social media marketing efforts, and will make an excerpt available for our website, and further marketing outreach, such as book clubs. A full publicity push will be made for your book, including outreach to key media contacts and bloggers, including through such channels as NetGalley, to secure reviews and coverage.