KAA Writers Retreat in Tuscany
“Nonfiction Masterclass”
September 20-26, 2026
Get 1-on-1 mentorship from literary agents & industry leaders.
Learn More
Retreat Mentors
Below are some of the topics and workshops covered during this retreat
Discover what makes a nonfiction concept truly marketable. Learn how to position yourself as the go-to expert, identify your target audience, and craft a fresh hook that captures both agents and readers.
Demystify the proposal process with guidance from top agents and editors. Understand what publishers look for, how to structure a compelling proposal, and how to showcase your story and expertise for maximum impact.
Learn how today’s bestselling nonfiction blends authority with authenticity. Discover how to weave your own experiences and voice into your material to make your message memorable and emotionally resonant.
Step inside the publishing pipeline with a leading literary agent. From signing to submission to publication, see what really happens behind the scenes — and what decisions determine a book’s success.
Your book’s success starts with its hook. Learn how to distill your concept into a sharp, irresistible idea that speaks to the right audience — and makes agents and publishers lean in.
Discover how to deliver exactly what your title and concept promise. This interactive session helps you align structure, tone, and reader expectations to ensure your book connects deeply and delivers on its potential.
Meet Your Mentors
EXEC EDITOR, KAA
New York Times– and Sunday Times-bestselling editor and former acquisitions editor for Biteback Publishing
With over two decades of experience in the publishing industry, James has edited and published multiple Sunday Times bestselling authors including Alastair Campbell, Damian McBridge, Liz Truss, Ken Hom, Eliza Filby, Terry Jones, Anthony Seldon and Andrew Pierce.
He led Biteback Publishing for sixteen years, steering it to become one of the UK’s leading independent publishers of commercial non-fiction. Specialising in politics, business and current affairs, but with a broad range of experience across other genres including sport, history, music, military and memoir, James’ overriding passion is working with new authors of all abilities to identify the story they want to tell and helping them frame and develop it. His approach to editing combines imagination, publishing experience and commercial focus to help writers structure and strategise their writing and deliver a product true to them but with maximum sales potential.
AUTHOR
Bestselling author & ghostwriter
Holly Crawshaw (publishing under the name Holly Joyner) is a New York Times bestselling ghostwriter, developmental editor, and author-coach whose career spans nearly two decades and more than 1,000 books. Known for her ability to transform powerful ideas into bestselling narratives, she has collaborated with major publishers and high-profile figures across entertainment, faith, and leadership.
Holly’s diverse client list includes:
Her editorial guidance has helped shape books that reached New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists — many debut works from first-time authors who went on to build national platforms. Holly combines structural precision with a gift for voice and vulnerability, helping thought-leaders, artists, and entrepreneurs turn their life stories and expertise into books that move readers and build legacies.
Respected throughout the publishing industry for her clarity, integrity, and creative partnership, Holly brings the perspective of someone who has been behind the scenes of dozens of bestselling projects. Her insight into nonfiction storytelling, message development, and author branding makes her an invaluable mentor for anyone seeking to elevate their craft and impact.
LITERARY AGENT & VICE PRESIDENT
Literary Agent and Vice President at The Gernert Company
Alia Hanna Habib is a literary agent and Vice President at The Gernert Company.
Among the New York Times-bestselling and prize-winning clients she represents are Clint Smith, Nikole Hannah-Jones and the New York Times’ 1619 Project Book Series, Nathan Thrall, Merve Emre, Adam Serwer, Judy Batalion, and Hanif Abdurraqib. She is on the board of n+1 literary magazine and on the creative council of Aspen Words. Her authors have been awarded the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Critics Circle Award, the MacArthur “Genius Grant,” the LA Times Book Prize, among many others, and have been shortlisted for the Edgar Awards, PEN Awards and National Book Award. She was profiled by New York Magazine for their special issue on “The 49 Most Powerful New Yorkers (You’ve Never Heard Of).”
Alia is the author of the forthcoming book Take It From Me: An Agent’s Guide to Building a Nonfiction Career from Scratch, to be published by Pantheon in January 2026 and of the publishing-themed Substack publishing-themed Delivery & Acceptance. She is a graduate of Barnard College and earned her MA in English literature from Rutgers University, where she taught courses in writing and literature. She lives in Brooklyn.
Retreat Coordinator
Our Retreat Coordinator, Anna, will be in touch as soon as you’ve secured your place to answer any questions you have, assist with booking transport and to get to know you and your work to make sure that you get the most from your experience in Tuscany. She will make sure that mentors know about your projects and receive material ahead of the retreat in order to tailor their teaching accordingly.
Anna has a background in both publishing and hospitality and is always happy to share insight and ideas as well as make you your favourite coffee and cocktail. Anna will be on site during the retreat overseeing teaching, organising airport transfers, serving meals and excursions and making sure that you have everything you need during the week, so you can switch off from your responsibilities and lock in to your learning.
