Take It From Me: An Agent's Guide to Building a Nonfiction Writing Career from Scratch
From the literary agent behind some of today’s most successful authors comes a narrative guide geared specifically to the needs of aspiring and working nonfiction writers, demystifying the world of publishing and offering a practical roadmap to getting your book published

Alia Hanna Habib remembers what it was like to be on the outside of the publishing world, looking in. Arriving in New York, a first-generation college student with a love of reading and loads of ambition, she hadn’t any idea how to break into the business of books. Now years later, in her career as an agent, she hears from prospective clients who, whether they’re experts at the top of their fields or wholly new to the writing game, consider breaking through as a success in publishing to be a mysterious and dauting task. Ever determined to flout the stereotype of agent as gatekeeper, however, Habib is prepared to hand emerging writers the key.

In a voice that’s both encouraging and irreverent, Habib demystifies the often peculiar, frequently intimidating, business of books. Just as she does for her stable of bestselling authors, in these pages she gives practical advice, providing context and clarity to each step of the publishing process, from the germination of a book idea to finding an agent to represent it, from crafting an engaging proposal to navigating the perils of publicity. Readers will find real-life samples of pitch letters and book proposals from some of Habib’s most successful clients, such as Clint Smith and Judy Batalion, as well as templates writers can use when querying agents or promoting their work on social media. She also incorporates the advice of trusted industry colleagues—authors, attorneys, accountants, editors, publishers, publicists, and more—gifting readers with a full team of experts to answer all the questions they’ve had about the publishing world, but were too afraid, or didn’t know, to ask.

Essential for both the aspiring novice and the seasoned professional, Take It from Me is a guidebook writers will return to again and again. At times laugh-out-loud funny, at others brutally honest about her own experiences in publishing, and in life, Habib offers a clear-eyed look at the challenges facing today’s aspiring nonfiction writers and then gives them the comprehensive, expert advice they need to put those roadblocks in the rearview mirror.
1147241876
Take It From Me: An Agent's Guide to Building a Nonfiction Writing Career from Scratch
From the literary agent behind some of today’s most successful authors comes a narrative guide geared specifically to the needs of aspiring and working nonfiction writers, demystifying the world of publishing and offering a practical roadmap to getting your book published

Alia Hanna Habib remembers what it was like to be on the outside of the publishing world, looking in. Arriving in New York, a first-generation college student with a love of reading and loads of ambition, she hadn’t any idea how to break into the business of books. Now years later, in her career as an agent, she hears from prospective clients who, whether they’re experts at the top of their fields or wholly new to the writing game, consider breaking through as a success in publishing to be a mysterious and dauting task. Ever determined to flout the stereotype of agent as gatekeeper, however, Habib is prepared to hand emerging writers the key.

In a voice that’s both encouraging and irreverent, Habib demystifies the often peculiar, frequently intimidating, business of books. Just as she does for her stable of bestselling authors, in these pages she gives practical advice, providing context and clarity to each step of the publishing process, from the germination of a book idea to finding an agent to represent it, from crafting an engaging proposal to navigating the perils of publicity. Readers will find real-life samples of pitch letters and book proposals from some of Habib’s most successful clients, such as Clint Smith and Judy Batalion, as well as templates writers can use when querying agents or promoting their work on social media. She also incorporates the advice of trusted industry colleagues—authors, attorneys, accountants, editors, publishers, publicists, and more—gifting readers with a full team of experts to answer all the questions they’ve had about the publishing world, but were too afraid, or didn’t know, to ask.

Essential for both the aspiring novice and the seasoned professional, Take It from Me is a guidebook writers will return to again and again. At times laugh-out-loud funny, at others brutally honest about her own experiences in publishing, and in life, Habib offers a clear-eyed look at the challenges facing today’s aspiring nonfiction writers and then gives them the comprehensive, expert advice they need to put those roadblocks in the rearview mirror.
28.0 Pre Order
Take It From Me: An Agent's Guide to Building a Nonfiction Writing Career from Scratch

Take It From Me: An Agent's Guide to Building a Nonfiction Writing Career from Scratch

by Alia Hanna Habib
Take It From Me: An Agent's Guide to Building a Nonfiction Writing Career from Scratch

Take It From Me: An Agent's Guide to Building a Nonfiction Writing Career from Scratch

by Alia Hanna Habib

Hardcover

$28.00 
  • SHIP THIS ITEM
    Available for Pre-Order. This item will be released on January 6, 2026

Related collections and offers


Overview

From the literary agent behind some of today’s most successful authors comes a narrative guide geared specifically to the needs of aspiring and working nonfiction writers, demystifying the world of publishing and offering a practical roadmap to getting your book published

Alia Hanna Habib remembers what it was like to be on the outside of the publishing world, looking in. Arriving in New York, a first-generation college student with a love of reading and loads of ambition, she hadn’t any idea how to break into the business of books. Now years later, in her career as an agent, she hears from prospective clients who, whether they’re experts at the top of their fields or wholly new to the writing game, consider breaking through as a success in publishing to be a mysterious and dauting task. Ever determined to flout the stereotype of agent as gatekeeper, however, Habib is prepared to hand emerging writers the key.

In a voice that’s both encouraging and irreverent, Habib demystifies the often peculiar, frequently intimidating, business of books. Just as she does for her stable of bestselling authors, in these pages she gives practical advice, providing context and clarity to each step of the publishing process, from the germination of a book idea to finding an agent to represent it, from crafting an engaging proposal to navigating the perils of publicity. Readers will find real-life samples of pitch letters and book proposals from some of Habib’s most successful clients, such as Clint Smith and Judy Batalion, as well as templates writers can use when querying agents or promoting their work on social media. She also incorporates the advice of trusted industry colleagues—authors, attorneys, accountants, editors, publishers, publicists, and more—gifting readers with a full team of experts to answer all the questions they’ve had about the publishing world, but were too afraid, or didn’t know, to ask.

Essential for both the aspiring novice and the seasoned professional, Take It from Me is a guidebook writers will return to again and again. At times laugh-out-loud funny, at others brutally honest about her own experiences in publishing, and in life, Habib offers a clear-eyed look at the challenges facing today’s aspiring nonfiction writers and then gives them the comprehensive, expert advice they need to put those roadblocks in the rearview mirror.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780593700877
Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
Publication date: 01/06/2026
Pages: 320
Product dimensions: 6.12(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.88(d)

About the Author

Alia Hanna Habib is a Vice President and literary agent at The Gernert Company, where she represents MacArthur Fellows, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, National Book Award finalists, and numerous New York Times bestselling authors. She joined The Gernert Company in 2017 after starting her publishing career as a publicist at HMH and working as an agent at McCormick Literary. She is a graduate of Barnard College and has earned an MA in English Literature from Rutgers University.
From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews