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

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.