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.

"An invaluable resource."--Clint Smith, author of How the Word is Passed

"I really, really wish I had this book when I was starting out."--Robert Kolker, author of Hidden Valley Road

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 had no 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 finding success in publishing to be a mysterious and daunting endeavor. Ever determined to flout the stereotype of agent as gatekeeper, however, Habib is prepared to hand emerging writers the key.

Drawing on wisdom from her star-studded list of clients, including Hanif Abdurraqib, Judy Batalion, Merve Emre, Nikole Hannah-Jones, and Clint Smith, Habib provides 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 her authors' pitch letters and book proposals, 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--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 guidance they need to put those roadblocks in the rearview mirror.

Author: Alia Hanna Habib
Publisher: Pantheon Books
Published: 01/20/2026
Pages: 320
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.10lbs
Size: 9.30h x 6.40w x 1.20d
ISBN: 9780593700877


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 01/26/2026
Kirkus Reviews 08/15/2025
Library Journal 10/01/2025 pg. 96
Booklist 12/01/2025

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 lives in Brooklyn, NY.