Shari MacDonald Strong

Broadleaf Books publishes titles that expand the mind, nourish the soul, and cultivate the common good.

What I’m looking for:

I’m seeking to acquire practical and prescriptive nonfiction titles that address a felt need or that make a new and compelling argument, or both. I’m most drawn to books that that focus deeply on a single issue, or on specific aspects of an issue (versus titles that are broader in nature). I’m looking for projects that tackle timely and difficult subjects related to the issues and challenges of the day as well as those that address universal and evergreen topics. Authors should have a platform and/or be experts in their field. I’d love all titles on my list to include at least a thread of hope.

I’m generally not seeking memoir, though the author’s personal experience is a welcome element in topic-oriented nonfiction projects; I may consider the occasional memoir that has a strong social or cultural criticism component and that speaks to current and ongoing social issues or national/global crises. I’m actively seeking work from members of groups that have been historically underrepresented in publishing, such as BIPOC authors, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and progressive female spiritual, political, and thought leaders.

Spirituality projects related to Christianity should be consistent with mainline, inclusive Christian traditions and progressive beliefs.

In practical terms, my search includes:

• Fresh takes on spirituality by authors from a diverse range of traditions (including progressive mainline Christianity, Indigenous wisdom and spirituality, eastern spirituality and philosophy, non-religious spirituality), that foster spiritual connectedness and growth amid the challenges of today’s world
• Thoughtful nonfiction in the mind/body/spirit space, including titles that explore the relationship between the body and the spirit and topics at the points where spirituality, psychology, and wellness meet
• Books that address current social, political, and cultural pain points, and that offer unique insights and identify practical approaches, actions, and paths forward
• Women’s/feminist issues and voices, including feminist religious viewpoints
• Fresh, surprising, and meaningful self-help and personal development titles that reach beyond formulaic wisdom to engage the reader at a deep level
• Deep experience of the natural world and environment (e.g., nature, animals—I’d love a thoughtful take on gardening as spiritual practice)
• Practical application of contemporary psychological theories, approaches, and therapeutic perspectives (e.g., attachment, family systems, generational/inherited family trauma, somatic healing)
• Genre/topic blends (e.g., spirituality and neuroscience, personal growth and nature, intersections of faith and social/political issues)
• Fresh takes on faith deconstruction/reconstruction
• New perspectives and ways of thinking, including reported nonfiction paired with practical application and/or an argument advocating for specific action
• Books that help readers to explore spiritual development, to heal emotionally, to self-actualize, to become more responsible citizens of the global community, to experience more peace and joy and less stress, and to lead more fulfilling lives
• Titles about becoming more whole and connected, living out one’s values, and helping to create a more just, safe, and inclusive world
• Big, idea-drive projects that explore the human experience and the world we live in
• Thoughtful explorations of the following (and similar) topics: anger and forgiveness, attachment, change and transformation, class issues, community, connection with the sacred, diversity and inclusivity, economic justice, environmental justice, equality, estrangement, ethics and morality, gender, grace, gratitude, grief and loss, healing from shame, hope, individual growth, integrity, interpersonal connection, joy, kindness, learning, lifestyle, love and relationships, mental health and self-care, mindfulness, minimalism and simplicity, pacifism and war, peace, personal empowerment, progressive political topics, psychology, racial justice, science and spirituality, self-actualization, self-love and self-compassion, social justice issues, stewardship of the earth, uncertainty, women’s health and sexuality, wonder and amazement

I am NOT looking for:

• Memoir, unless paired with a big idea hook related to social justice or other topics noted above; hybrid memoir should illustrate a distinctive point of view and be grounded in practical application, fresh insight, and/or persuasive argument, with the author’s personal story serving the larger idea, not the other way around
• Academic
• Bible studies and devotionals
• Business and leadership
• Cooking, food, beverage/drink, exercise, fitness, weight loss, diet (unless paired with a socially relevant topic noted above)
• Narrative history (unless it’s closely tied to a current social or cultural issue and it also makes a fresh, compelling, well-reasoned argument throughout the text), geography, military, biography
• Illustrated/coffee table books
• New age/the occult
• Sports
• Fiction, poetry
• Work created with AI

Submission Guidelines

Proposals should be sent to

su*********@br************.com











; please address to me if sent for my consideration.