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 idea-driven, story-driven, and culturally engaged nonfiction titles that help readers better understand the world we live in, address a felt need, and/or make a new and compelling argument that opens the door to new ways of thinking. I’m especially looking for big idea books, narrative journalism, investigative nonfiction, spirituality, history that speaks to the moment we’re living through, and cultural criticism. I’m most drawn to books that that focus deeply on a single issue, or on specific aspects of an issue (e.g., smart, journalistic takes on very specific subjects), versus titles that are broader in nature. I like proposals for books that examine through a historical, journalistic, or sociological lens the question “How did we get here?” (with “here” representing any number of social, political, and cultural positions and moments), and that make a fresh argument, offer ideas about how people can move forward together, and/or insert some light or hope into darker topics. 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. I’m always drawn to the pairing of excellent writing and sophisticated thinking. Authors should have a platform and/or be experts in their field. I’d love for 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, that connects deeply with a big idea or issue that’s larger than that one person, and/or 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 that are related to Christianity should be consistent with inclusive/progressive mainline traditions and beliefs.

In practical terms, my search includes:

• Big idea-driven projects that examine and illuminate the human experience and the world we live in
• Books that address current social, societal, political, religious, and cultural pain points, and that offer unique insights and identify paths forward
• Projects that pull from multiple disciplines and perspectives, bringing together subjects such as science and spirituality, nature and meaning-making, politics and religion, or faith, culture, and social issues
• Fresh takes on spirituality by authors from a diverse range of traditions (including progressive mainline Christianity, Indigenous wisdom and spirituality, eastern spirituality and philosophy, feminist theology, and non-religious spirituality), that foster spiritual connectedness and growth amid the challenges of today’s world
• Women’s issues and voices, including feminist religious and cultural viewpoints
• Fresh, surprising, and meaningful personal development titles that reach beyond formulaic wisdom to engage the reader at a deep level
• Narrative science
• 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 and new developments in 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
• Devotionals that have a strong/unique progressive spirituality hook
• Thoughtful explorations of the following (and similar) topics: activism, anger and forgiveness, artificial intelligence/AI technology critique, attachment theory, beauty culture/standards (critique of), big idea and new ways of thinking, change and transformation, birth control and reproductive justice, Christian nationalism and Western supremacy (critique), civics and citizenship, civility, class issues, climate anxiety, community, connection with the sacred, curiosity, debt, diversity and inclusivity, economic justice, environmental justice, equality, estrangement (family), ethics and morality, fascism, gender, grace, gratitude, grief and loss, happiness, healing from shame, hope, immigration (including critical examination of ICE policy and policy enforcement), individual growth, integrity, interpersonal connection, joy, kindness, learning, lifestyle, love and relationships, manosphere and toxic masculinity (critique), mental health and self-care, mindfulness, minimalism and simplicity, nature and the outdoors, oligarchies, pacifism and war, peace, personal empowerment, personal crisis/failure (and the accompanying shame), personal growth, personal finance and financial health (including debt and economic uncertainty), plutocracy/consolidation of wealth, political polarization, political science, post traumatic growth, progressive political topics, prison and detainment, psychology and human behavior, racial justice, science and spirituality, self-actualization, self-love and self-compassion, shame, social justice issues, social science, stewardship of the earth, surveillance/Big Brother, time, trad wife culture/trends, truth and perception, uncertainty, wealth inequality, wellness culture critique, women’s health and sexuality, wonder and amazement

I am NOT looking for:

• Memoir, unless paired with a big idea related to one of the other topics noted above (Those projects should have a clear hook, convey a distinctive point of view, and be grounded in fresh insight and/or persuasive argument, with the author’s personal story serving the larger idea, not the other way around.)
• Academic
• Bible studies
• Business and leadership
• Cooking, food, beverage/drink, exercise, fitness, lifestyle, weight loss, diet (unless paired with a socially relevant topic noted above)
• Geography, military, biography, sports (unless it’s closely tied to a current social or cultural issue and makes a fresh, compelling, well-reasoned argument)
• Illustrated/coffee table books
• New age/the occult, esoteric
• Fiction, poetry
• Work created with AI

Submissions should be emailed to submissions@broadleafbooks.com. (Please note, due to the quantity of submissions we receive, we will only respond if we have positive interest in a project. We do not send rejections. Thank you for your understanding.)

Guidelines & Details