Writers With Wrinkles

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Episode Summary
What does it actually take to get a non-fiction book published in today's market? In this episode, literary agent and author Alia Hanna Habib pulls back the curtain on the publishing industry. Alia shares insights from her new book, Take It From Me, a practical guide for writers looking to navigate the complex journey from idea to bookshelf. Whether you are a debut author or a seasoned writer, this conversation explores the essential elements of a successful non-fiction proposal, the evolving role of a literary agent, and how to stay resilient in a competitive market.
Key Takeaways & Timestamps
[00:00] Introduction: Meet Alia Hanna Habib, literary agent at The Gernert Company for acclaimed writers like Nicole Hannah-Jones and Clint Smith.
[02:15] The "Why" Behind the Book: Alia discusses what inspired her to write Take It From Me and why transparency in the publishing process is more important than ever.
[07:40] Crafting a Winning Proposal: The non-negotiable elements every non-fiction writer needs to include to catch an agent's eye.
[15:20] Delivery & Acceptance: Insight into Alia’s Substack newsletter and how she uses it to share candid, behind-the-scenes industry advice.
[22:10] The Author-Agent Partnership: How the relationship works and what authors should realistically expect during the publishing cycle.
[30:05] Closing Thoughts: Practical steps for writers who are just starting their non-fiction journey.
About the Guest: Alia Hanna Habib
Alia Hanna Habib is a veteran literary agent and the author of Take It From Me: A Practical, Behind-the-Scenes Guide to Getting a Non-Fiction Book Published. Named one of New York Magazine's "most powerful New Yorkers you’ve never heard of," she represents leading voices in journalism, history, and literature. She also writes the popular Substack newsletter, Delivery and Acceptance.
Resources Mentioned in this Episode
Book: Take It From Me by Alia Hanna Habib (Available January 28th)
Newsletter: Delivery and Acceptance Substack
Website: Writers with Wrinkles Official Site
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Visit the Blog: Find more show notes and author resources at writerswithwrinkles.net.

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Note: For the most up-to-date information on Erin’s submission status, interests, and availability, visit https://erincaseywestin.com.
Episode Summary
In this episode of Writers With Wrinkles, Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid talk with Erin Casey Westin, associate agent at Galt & Zacker Literary Agency, about the current kidlit market and how agents evaluate queries and manuscripts. Aspiring authors will gain insight into writing stronger query letters, understanding agent decision-making, and knowing when a manuscript is truly ready to submit.
Guest Bio
Erin Casey Westin is an associate agent at Galt & Zacker Literary Agency, where she represents children’s literature. She is especially drawn to projects with strong voice, vivid worldbuilding, and authentic, thoughtful representation. Erin is passionate about stories that allow every child to see themselves reflected on the page. She is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Key Discussion Points
The state of the kidlit market
Erin shares what she’s hearing from editors, including cautious optimism around middle grade and continued demand for humorous, character-driven picture books.
How sales track records affect authors
Why prior sales aren’t everything, how agents strategize around them, and when switching publishing houses can make sense.
What makes a query letter stand out
Clear, specific stakes; strong voice; and careful attention to submission guidelines—plus why vague, high-level stakes often fall flat.
Common query mistakes to avoid
Writing queries in first person as the character, misquoting agents, careless personalization, and over-reliance on AI-generated text.
How Erin evaluates manuscripts
The step-by-step mental checklist: polish, voice, character connection, plot and pacing, and whether the story sustains momentum beyond the opening pages.
When a manuscript isn’t ready yet
Why rushing to query out of frustration can hurt your chances, and when putting a book away for a few months can actually help.
What Erin wants to see more of
Middle grade and YA survival stories—especially fresh, modern takes featuring underrepresented protagonists.
Conclusion
This episode reminds writers that strong queries and manuscripts are built on clarity, specificity, and patience. Erin Casey Westin offers a transparent look at how agents read, evaluate, and decide—helping authors approach querying with more confidence and intention.
Links & Resources
Erin Casey Westin: https://erincaseywestin.com
Galt & Zacker Literary Agency: https://www.galltzacker.com/
QueryTracker: https://querytracker.net
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In this bonus season-finale episode of Writers With Wrinkles, Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid reflect on the end of the season, share a behind-the-scenes podcasting mishap, and dive into a First Pages critique of a cozy fantasy submission, The Village Mage. Along the way, they discuss why first pages are so hard to get right, how too much backstory can stall momentum, and what cozy fantasy readers expect from the very first paragraph.
What We Cover in This Episode
A Season Wrap-Up
Why this season felt especially long (emotionally and creatively)
The surprising reach of the podcast, including international listeners
Why listener messages matter more than download numbers
Behind the Scenes of Podcasting
A funny (and harmless) upload glitch
Why multitasking and podcast production don’t always mix
A reminder that mistakes happen—and they’re fixable
First Pages Critique: The Village Mage
Why the tea shop setting immediately signals “cozy”
What works well in the opening voice and atmosphere
Where the opening leans too heavily on setting and backstory
Why character emotion needs to come before worldbuilding
How early signals of magic shape reader expectations
The importance of “showing” magic instead of naming it outright
First Page Takeaways for Writers
Less is more on page one
Avoid stacking backstory and description in large blocks
Establish genre expectations immediately
Use specific, character-centered details instead of generic atmosphere
Trust the reader—don’t explain everything up front
Consider whether your story actually starts later than you think
A Common Revision Reality
Why first chapters are often written as “thinking-through” pages
How hard it is to cut beloved early material
Why cutting doesn’t mean deleting—just relocating
Key Writing Advice from Beth & Lisa
Your first page should hook, not explain
Genre cues matter—especially in fantasy
Pacing is created through balance: dialogue, action, and selective detail
If readers don’t know why they should care about the character yet, they won’t care about the world
What’s Coming Next
A brand-new season with exciting guest interviews
More First Pages bonus episodes
Kicking off the new season with literary agent Erin Casey Westin
Have first pages you’d like feedback on?
 
Visit the Writers With Wrinkles website and submit your opening pages for a chance to be featured in a future episode.
Thank you for listening, sharing, and sticking with us this season. We’ll see you in the new year—until then, happy reading, writing, and listening.

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Query letters make even experienced writers panic—and for good reason. In this special Ask Beth & Lisa episode, we’re joined by author and educator Deborah Crossland for a deep, practical conversation about how to write a strong, effective query letter as we head into the 2026 querying season. Deborah breaks down what query letters are actually for, what agents want to see (and don’t), and how writers can avoid the most common—and most damaging—mistakes.
This episode is packed with actionable advice, mindset shifts, and real-world examples from the querying trenches.
About Our Guest
Deborah Crossland teaches English and mythology at a community college and writes myth-based contemporary YA novels with a feminist lens. Her novel The Quiet Part Out Loud was published in 2023, with the paperback released in 2024. She lives in Northern California and is passionate about making education accessible to all.
Key Topics & Takeaways
What a Query Letter Is (and Isn’t)
The sole purpose of a query letter is to get an agent to request pages—not to sell the book or explain the entire plot.
Think invitation, not explanation.
The Anatomy of a Strong Query
A compelling hook (often 1–2 sentences)
A focused pitch centered on external stakes
Brief book details (genre, word count, comps)
A short, professional author bio
External Stakes Matter More Than You Think
Writers often lean too hard on internal stakes; agents need to see what’s happening.
External conflict is what differentiates your book in a crowded field.
If an agent can’t picture the story visually, the query isn’t doing its job.
Pitch vs. Synopsis
The query pitch should not include spoilers or the ending.
The synopsis is where you explain the full story, including how it ends.
Mixing these up is one of the most common querying mistakes.
How to Personalize Without Being Cringey
Reference an agent’s manuscript wish list, not their personal life.
Keep personalization professional, brief, and relevant.
Treat it like a business introduction—not a social interaction.
Query Etiquette (and Red Flags)
Always submit queries exactly how the agent requests.
Never DM agents or email around Query Manager.
Don’t announce querying rounds or submissions on social media.
Avoid pitching your unpublished book publicly on Instagram, TikTok, or X.
Author Bios for Debut Writers
It’s perfectly acceptable to say, “This is my first novel.”
Writing credentials are optional; strong pages matter more.
Publishing loves debuts—lack of experience is not a liability.
Series Talk: Less Is More
Don’t pitch a multi-book series as a debut.
“Standalone with series potential” is sufficient.
Length & Clarity
Queries should be concise and tightly written.
Every word must earn its place.
If you can’t summarize your story clearly, you may not be ready to query.
Hooks, Loglines, and Netflix Thinking
Think in terms of loglines or streaming-style descriptions.
If you can’t explain your story in one sharp sentence, that’s a sign to step back.

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For her encore episode, Lisa chose our interview with Brian Selznick—author and illustrator of some of the most innovative and emotionally powerful books in contemporary publishing. In this conversation, Brian reflects on creative process, patience, and trusting your reader. It was definitely a season four highlight! 
 

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