Rachel Kramer Bussel chats with Nichole Argyres from St. Martin's:

mediabistro: What kinds of books to do you work on/are you looking for? Conversely, what kinds of books don't you want to see at all?

Argyres: In nonfiction, I'm looking for memoir, family stories, "women with something to say"-whether it be on business, politics, family, spiritual, or women's issues. Popular science, soft business, and anything Greek, as well as anything about medicine or mental health. I deal mostly with narratve nonfiction, but have also done some practical nonfiction, and recently bought my first cookbook.

In fiction, I have a large range-from commercial fiction, to upmarket women's commercial fiction, to literary. I'm character and plot-driven. I like fiction about small places and large families. In both fiction and nonfiction, a strong voice and clear message are paramount. Writing that is too quiet or internal doesn’t resonate with me.

mediabistro: You've worked largely with non-fiction books, such as What It Takes: Speak Up, Step Up, Move Up: A Modern Woman's Guide to Success in Business by Amy Henry of The Apprentice; and Brigitte Gabriel's forthcoming Terror in God's Name: Islam's Holy War Against the West; and Christopher Van Tilburg's memoir Mountain Rescue Doctor-most very timely works. What do you look for, specifically, from these types of books? In terms of newsworthy, topical works, do you have a wishlist of issues you want to see covered, or items in the news you'd like to work on?

Argyres: I look for a strong platform and fresh message. The shelves are so crowded these days that getting the attention of the media is key-quality content and connections to the media are two ways to do this.