{"product_id":"take-it-from-me-an-agents-guide-to-building-a-nonfiction-writing-career-from-scratch-9780593700877","title":"Take It from Me: An Agent's Guide to Building a Nonfiction Writing Career from Scratch","description":"\u003cb\u003eFrom 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. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"An invaluable resource.\"--Clint Smith, author of \u003ci\u003eHow the Word is Passed\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"I really, \u003ci\u003ereally\u003c\/i\u003e wish I had this book when I was starting out.\"--Robert Kolker, author of \u003ci\u003eHidden Valley Road\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAlia 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eDrawing 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eEssential for both the aspiring novice and the seasoned professional, \u003ci\u003eTake It from Me \u003c\/i\u003eis 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Pantheon Books\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 01\/20\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780593700877\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 320\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.34lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.25h x 6.13w x 0.88d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview Citations: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e 08\/15\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e 10\/01\/2025 pg. 96\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Alia Hanna Habib","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52051826147509,"sku":"9780593700877","price":23.8,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/files\/img_7e3b9753-1796-40ce-b55d-5f13a6df6eaa.jpg?v=1764048128","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/take-it-from-me-an-agents-guide-to-building-a-nonfiction-writing-career-from-scratch-9780593700877","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}