Shows
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingExploring the Critical to Compassionate SpectrumIn this episode of Books with Hooks, hosts Bianca, Carly, and CeCe dive into a query for the historical mystery ‘A Body at Rest', exploring the impact of its title, the clarity of its plot threads, and how well the characters’ interiority comes through. They also assess the effectiveness of the prologue and discuss how to strengthen character development. Later, CeCe introduces a second query—this time for an epic fantasy—which sparks a conversation about what makes a strong pitch and where writers often stumble. Note: Cece Lyra is a literary agent at Wendy Sherman Associates. If you’d...
2025-08-2138 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingShooting The Shit: CeCe's new job, agent referrals, and what publishers try to get away with when writer's don't have agentsCeCe drops big news—she’s joining Wendy Sherman Associates! Carly and CeCe dive into what it means for her clients, how agency moves work behind the scenes, and the one question every querying writer should be asking. They also pull back the curtain on what publishers try to sneak into contracts when authors don’t have agents (spoiler: it can stall your career), debate whether “referrals” in query letters really help, and unpack shocking sales figures that reveal how publishing runs on a venture-capital-style model. It’s a candid, gossipy, and eye-opening episode about power, publishing, and why writers need...
2025-08-1850 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingShooting The Shit: "AI Slop" affecting books, what summers in publishing look like and hustle culture in the year 2025This week on Shooting the Shit, Carly and CeCe are back with a no-holds-barred convo on everything rocking the publishing world. They dive into how hustle culture is burning us all out, why summer feels like a weird limbo for book launches, and what it really means when authors get assistants. Plus: AI is creeping into publishing (yep, we’re talking about it), romance novels are sparking cultural shifts, and the kid lit market is facing big changes. It’s all about adapting, evolving, and surviving in a rapidly shifting industry.Note: Cece Lyra is a literary agen...
2025-08-1144 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingFrom Audience to Impact: Crafting a Narrative That ConnectsIn this special episode of Books with Hooks, Carly and CeCe are joined by debut author Bryce Thomas to dive into his query letter for ‘Barracuda and the Buddha!’ Get ready for a lively discussion filled with craft insights, as they break down what’s working—and what’s not—in Bryce’s pitch. From the sparks flying between Peter and Georgie to the emotional stakes that keep readers turning pages, this episode is all about nailing character dynamics and storytelling voice.The trio also chats about plot clarity, narrative causality and how knowing your target audience can make all t...
2025-08-0746 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingShooting The Shit: About Editors, The "Death" Of The Novel & Authors With The "It" FactorIn this episode of ‘Shooting the Shit’, Carly and CeCe dive into the juicy, unfiltered side of publishing. From the surge in dark romance to how women are being written—and writing themselves—into new spaces, they explore the evolving landscape of literature with wit and insight. They also get personal about reading slumps, dissect the pressures of author branding, and question how social media is reshaping the way we see (and judge) writers. Plus, they pull back the curtain on what editors are really dealing with these days. It’s a smart, funny, and refreshingly honest chat that proves the...
2025-08-0452 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingFrom Books with Hooks to Published Author-How Writing is RewritingIn this episode, debut author Melissa O’Connor takes us behind the scenes of her publishing journey with ‘The One and Only Vivian Stone.’ She shares how her query letter evolved, what it was like navigating the submission process, and the pivotal decision to restructure the manuscript with a dual timeline. Melissa opens up about weaving romance and mystery into her story, the role of character relationships, and how agent and editor feedback shaped the final book. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that celebrates creativity, persistence, and the thrilling milestones of a first-time author.Note: Carly Watters...
2025-07-3127 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingJuly Bonus EpisodeIn part one of July’s bonus episode, Bianca sits down with debut author Jacqueline Faber for a thoughtful and inspiring conversation. With a rich academic background and a diverse writing portfolio, Jacqueline shares her path to publication and the creative decisions that shaped her novel, ‘The Department’. They explore the emotional challenges of receiving feedback, the intentional design of the book’s narrative structure, and the nuanced process of character development. Jacqueline also offers insight into the role of memory in storytelling and her organic, intuitive approach to writing. This conversation offers valuable perspectives for writers and readers alike, h...
2025-07-2853 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingMaking Context Feel OrganicIn this exciting episode of Books with Hooks, debut author Tali Shammas steps into the spotlight to share her query letter for her genre-blending novel ‘The Color of Blood’—a bold mix of horror, romance, and razor-sharp feminist themes. The hosts dive into an engaging discussion on social justice in fiction, the power of a strong hook, and how to clearly define your audience. They dissect the manuscript’s opening pages, exploring tone, character depth, and what makes a first line unforgettable. Plus, they wrap up with actionable marketing tips and a look at Tali’s inspiring writing journey.Don’t...
2025-07-241h 07
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingShooting The ShitGet ready for a brand-new segment with Carly and CeCe that dives into the juiciest side of publishing! In this fun, freewheeling episode, they spill the tea on industry gossip, break down the latest trends—like the dark rom-com craze—and dish on this year’s bestselling books. Plus, they share smart, no-fluff advice on social media strategies for authors, and why staying authentic online might just be your secret weapon. It’s insightful, unfiltered, and totally binge-worthy.Note: Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra are literary agents at P.S. Literary Agency, but their work on this podcast i...
2025-07-2131 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingHow Setting is More Than Just Story BackdropIn this week’s episode, Bianca connects with novelist Laura Resau. Laura provides an insightful outlook regarding her transition from writing for young audiences to authoring her inaugural adult novel, ‘The Alchemy of Flowers.’ She offers profound insights into her writing methodology, emphasizing the criticality of a persuasive query letter and the impact of title revisions in the publishing domain. Furthermore, Laura addresses the complexities inherent in genre fusion, the elaborate nature of world-building, and the indispensable role of meticulous research in achieving verisimilitude. Note: Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra are literary agents at P.S. Literary Agency...
2025-07-1730 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingWhat is a familiar query letter...In this episode of Books with Hooks, literary agents Carly and CeCe return with insightful feedback on query letters, focusing on commercial women’s fiction and book club fiction. They celebrate Bianca’s exciting book launch and dive deep into the craft of storytelling—discussing character development, emotional resonance, and the vital role of originality in fiction. This episode also highlights the importance of clearly conveying conflict and stakes in query letters, offering practical tips for writers looking to capture an agent’s attention.Don’t miss this powerful reading from ‘Let Us Play.’ Harrison Brown opens up about his r...
2025-07-1042 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingReplacing Plot with Emotion in Quiet NovelsIn this engaging conversation, Bianca interviews debut author Lidija Hilje. Her articles and essays were published in the New York Times, and other outlets. She runs a book club for writers with a membership of close to 100, and is an active member of the WFWA.The authors discuss her novel 'Slanting Towards the Sea,' exploring themes of literary citizenship, the writing process, and the emotional depth of her characters. Lidija shares her journey from being a book coach to a published author, the challenges of writing in a foreign setting, and the importance of emotional truth in storytelling...
2025-07-0326 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingJune Bonus EpisodeIn part one of this month’s bonus episode, Bianca Marais chats with New York Times bestselling author Lucy Foley about her shift from historical fiction to gripping thrillers. They dive into the essential role of setting, atmosphere, and character development in her novels, and Lucy shares how she builds suspense and keeps readers guessing with techniques like unreliable narrators and meticulous editing.In part two, CeCe Lyra sits down with Dr. Courtney Tracy, a.k.a. ‘The Truth Doctor’, for an honest conversation about the writing journey behind her new book. From choosing to write it hersel...
2025-06-301h 03
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingEmotions—But Make It MessyIn this exciting episode of Books with Hooks, Bianca, CeCe, and Carly sit down with Casey, winner of the Masana Literary Project Fundraiser, to chat about her debut novel, ‘The Break of Light.’ The hosts dive deep into Casey’s query letter, unpacking the story’s emotional layers, compelling plot, and rich character dynamics. CeCe and Carly offer sharp insights on upping the narrative stakes—with tips on mastering causality, embracing messy emotions, and building a vivid, believable world. From the protagonist’s urgent quest to save her best friend to the crucial first pages, this episode is packed with craft t...
2025-06-2635 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingHow Withholding Backstory and Context Can Actually Elevate A StoryIn this inspiring interview, Bianca connects with debut author Aisling Rawle and dives into ‘The Compound’—a dark, gripping tale set in the twisted world of reality TV. She opens up about her unconventional path to publishing, the pivotal role her literary agent played, and the novel’s central themes of desire, materialism, and social critique. Aisling unpacks her approach to character development and reflects on the lasting influence of Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm’ on her work. From creative inspiration to industry insight, this discussion reveals the raw truth about writing, ambition, and the unpredictable road to literary success.Note: Car...
2025-06-1930 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingOne of the Best Hooks We’ve Had on a BWH SegmentPop the champagne—it’s the 200th episode of Books with Hooks! Join hosts Bianca, Carly, and CeCe as they celebrate this major milestone with signature style and sharp writing advice. In this special segment, they dive into two fresh submissions: a gripping crime thriller and a thought-provoking book club novel. Carly and CeCe deliver expert feedback on character depth, narrative hooks, and story structure, while highlighting the power of perspective in storytelling. Packed with practical tips and inspiring insights, this celebratory episode is a must-listen for any writer looking to level up their query game and storytelling craft.
2025-06-1235 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingBianca and CeCe Discuss The Real Sh*t No One Tells You About WritingIn this special episode, CeCe Lyra sits down with our very own Bianca Marais to explore her writing journey, with a spotlight on her latest novel, ‘A Most Puzzling Murder.’ If you’re not already familiar with her work, Bianca is the bestselling author of ‘The Witches of Moonshyne Manor’, the beloved novels ‘Hum If You Don’t Know the Words’ and ‘If You Want to Make God Laugh’, and the Audible Original ‘The Prynne Viper’. She has also taught creative writing at the University of Toronto’s School of Continuing Studies, where she received an Excellence in Teaching Award.In this candi...
2025-06-0536 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingConcrete vs. Abstract CuriosityIn this special episode of Books with Hooks, author Kate Visser joins hosts Bianca, Carly and CeCe to share insights about her query letter for her YA fantasy novel, 'Stage of Shadows.' Carly and Cece dissect the strengths and weaknesses of Kate’s pitch, particularly focusing on character arcs, world-building, and the complexities of dual POV narratives. Carly and Cece provide constructive feedback, emphasizing the importance of clarity in storytelling and the need for the protagonist’s character arc to evolve throughout the narrative. The episode highlights the challenges of balancing ambitious concepts with reader engagement, offering valuable less...
2025-05-2943 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingMay Bonus EpisodeIn the first part of this month’s bonus episode, Carly Watters interviews Anna Mitchael, an accomplished author and copywriter. Anna discusses her writing journey, experiences in magazine publishing, and the art of storytelling through vignettes. They discuss the importance of building relationships in the writing community, the unique format of vignettes in Anna's latest book, and the nuances of ghostwriting. Anna shares her insights on creativity, overcoming fear, and the challenges of the publishing process, offering valuable advice for aspiring writers. Carly and Anna explore the complexities of personal triggers, the challenges of storytelling, and the realities of th...
2025-05-262h 32
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingHow a Books With Hooks Query Became a Buzzy DebutIn this eye-opening episode, Bianca Marais interviews Jessica Guerrieri, author of 'Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea.' They discuss Jessica's journey from teaching special education to becoming a published author, her experiences with addiction recovery, and the evolution of her debut novel. They discuss the intricacies of writing, the importance of feedback, and the challenges of navigating the publishing world. Jessica shares her insights on the writing process, the significance of point of view, and the role of beta readers in shaping her work. The episode concludes with Jessica's journey to landing an agent and securing...
2025-05-2228 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingLeaning into Illustrator Notes & CeCe Not Minding a But, ButIn this episode of Books with Hooks, Bianca, CeCe, and Carly dive into a YA fantasy romance query, breaking down what works—and what doesn’t—when it comes to character arcs, high stakes, and spot-on comp titles. The hosts then shift gears to a picture book query, spotlighting the power of a strong hook and truly kid-focused storytelling. Packed with sharp insights and actionable feedback, this episode is a must-listen for writers ready to level up their queries and take on the publishing world.Note: Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra are literary agents at P.S. Literar...
2025-05-1541 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingNuggets of Wisdom from Carley Fortune and Sue HincenbergsIn part one of this week's author interviews, Bianca sits down with Canadian superstar writer, Carley Fortune. The authors discuss her latest novel 'One Golden Summer', reflecting on her creative process, the challenges of writing under pressure, and the importance of character development. She shares insights into navigating reader expectations and the personal struggles that influence her writing. The discussion highlights the beauty of books as objects and the emotional depth required to create compelling narratives.In the second part of this week’s episode Bianca connects with former television producer and debut novelist, Sue Hincenbergs. Sue sh...
2025-05-0855 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingThe Problem with the Blank Canvas ProtagonistIn this episode of Books with Hooks, hosts Bianca, CeCe, and Carly first review a query letter for literary fiction, providing insights on emotional depth in character relationships. The conversation emphasizes the need for clarity in plot points and the importance of avoiding the blank canvas protagonist so readers can be engaged and connect with them. The second query letter is for a historical novel. The hosts discuss its title, plot structure, and the effectiveness of its opening pages. The conversation emphasizes the need for strong character connections, clear narrative goals, and the balance between description and story progression.
2025-05-0144 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingApril Bonus EpisodeIn the first part of this bonus episode, Bianca interviews Lauren Ling Brown, author of 'Society of Lies.' They discuss Lauren’s journey to publication, the intricacies of writing dual perspectives and timelines, and the importance of social commentary in her work. Lauren shares insights into her writing process, the challenges of character development, and the impact of being selected for Reese's Book Club. The discussion highlights the significance of crafting a compelling prologue and the emotional stakes involved in the characters' relationships.Finally, Emilie Sommer from East City Bookshop answers all your burning comp title qu...
2025-04-2849 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingAn Ingenious Query HackIn this informative author interview, Bianca connects with debut novelist Sarah Damoff to discuss her novel, ‘The Bright Years’ which explores the complexities of family dynamics and addiction.Sarah shares her journey through the publishing landscape, the challenges of finding the right agent, the ingenious query hack she used, and the evolution of her novel's structure. The conversation touches on the themes of generational trauma and the impact of addiction, as well as the importance of line-level writing, including the use of similes and metaphors. Sarah's insights provide valuable lessons for aspiring writers and readers alike.No...
2025-04-2430 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingWhy Plot and Specificity are a Query Letter's Best FriendsIn this episode of Books with Hooks, hosts Bianca Marais, Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra welcome querying author Debbie Whittall to discuss her query letter for her debut novel, 'Linda/Linda.' Carly and CeCe address the challenges of representing a quiet novel in a query format. The discussion transitions to the pages of the manuscript, highlighting the strengths of Debbie's writing and the need for a more engaging presentation of her story's drama. The critique discusses the complexities of character relationships, particularly focusing on characters in Debbie’s novel. The hosts offer advice on exploring themes of sapphic ro...
2025-04-1749 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingAnn Napolitano on Overcoming Rejection and Despair as Part of the Writing Life & Kirthana Ramisetti on The Art of ForeshadowingIn the first part of this episode, Bianca interviews Ann Napolitano, inspiring Oprah Book Club pick author of Hello Beautiful. During the multi-layered interview, Ann shares her journey as a writer, discussing the long path to publication, the importance of perseverance, and the role of gratitude in her success. She reflects on her experiences with rejection, the joy of writing, and the challenges of maintaining discipline in a writing career. Ann shares her insights on the writing process, the importance of beta readers, and the challenges of crafting character depth. She shares her unique approach to storytelling, including the r...
2025-04-101h 05
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingStage Directions, Opening and How to Avoid ThemIn this episode of Books with Hooks, hosts Bianca, Carly, and CeCe discuss the importance of clarity in storytelling, character development, and the need for emotional depth in writing. The conversation emphasizes the significance of engaging openings and the necessity of establishing strong connections between plot points. They also offer great tips like avoiding starting with stage directions in the opening line and that a strong opening scene should have a disruption.Note: Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra are literary agents at P.S. Literary Agency, but their work on this podcast is not affiliated with the...
2025-04-0335 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingMarch Bonus EpisodeIn the first part of this month’s bonus episode, Carly Watters interviews Bailey Hannah, a Canadian romance author known for her ‘Wells Ranch’ series. They talk about Bailey’s experience with going from self-publishing to traditional publishing, the importance of quality editing, and the impact of social media platforms like BookTok on author success. Bailey shares insights into her writing process, the emotional connections she forms with readers at conventions, and her inspirations as a writer. Near the end of the interview, Bailey offers valuable advice for aspiring authors to simply write their stories.The conversation shifts w...
2025-03-311h 47
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingThe Evolution of a Novel: Learning to Let GoIn this inspiring author interview, Bianca interviews Kath Jonathan, whose debut novel, 'The Resistance Painter', intertwines historical and contemporary narratives. They discuss Kath’s journey as a writer, and the personal challenges she faced, including health issues, over the twelve years she spent writing her novel.The authors chat about the evolution of a novel from start to finish, and how important it is to learn to let go along the way. Kath also elaborates on her journey as an older author and publishing later in life. The conversation touches on the significance of historical fiction in un...
2025-03-2734 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingIt's a Vibe: Plot Points & Emotional Vibes in StorytellingIn this episode of Books with Hooks, hosts Bianca, Carly and CeCe welcome special guest, literary agent, Lauren Spieller to discuss query letters in romance and fantasy genres. The hosts discuss the distinctions between Young Adult and Adult Fantasy, and the dynamics of character relationships. Lauren provides insightful critiques on a submitted query letter and its opening pages, emphasizing the need for clarity, tension, and character depth. The hosts continue to talk about the intricacies of character development, particularly focusing on the protagonist's depth and emotional projection. The panel discusses a high concept query that intertwines elements of romance...
2025-03-2041 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingKnowing the Shape of Your StoryWarning: mature content.In this insightful segment that will make you laugh out loud, Bianca interviews New York Times best-selling writer, Lamda Literary Award finalist and Shearling Fellowship recipient, Kristen Arnett, the author of 'Stop Me If You've Heard This One.' They discuss the unique aspects of Kristen's writing process, including her extensive research, character development, and the importance of humor and surprise in storytelling. Kristen shares insights into her creative journey, the intentional structure of her chapters, and the significance of character insights in connecting with readers. The episode also features a reading from her...
2025-03-1331 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingUsing the 'Micro to Macro' HackIn this episode of Books with Hooks, hosts Bianca, Carly, and CeCe dive into the intricacies of middle grade fantasy submissions. They discuss a query about a fantasy novel featuring a cat protagonist, exploring themes of family, sacrifice, and the stakes involved in the narrative. The conversation shifts to critiques of character development, emotional stakes, and the importance of world-building in storytelling. The hosts provide valuable insights into writing style, narrative perspective, and the significance of grounding readers in the emotional experiences of characters. The episode concludes with a new query submission, focusing on a contemporary young adult speculative...
2025-03-0634 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingThose Aha Moments That Arrive at the 80 000-Word MarkIn this engaging conversation, Bianca, interviews New York Times bestselling author Gillian McAllister. The author’s explore Gillian’s writing process, narrative techniques, and character development. Bianca and Gillian chat about the challenges of writing multi-POV novels, the organic twists that emerge during the writing process, and the importance of character occupations in driving the plot. Gillian shares insights into her unique approach to storytelling, emphasizing the alchemy of writing and the depth of her characters.Note: Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra are literary agents at P.S. Literary Agency, but their work on this podcast is not...
2025-02-2728 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingFebruary Bonus EpisodeIn the first engaging conversation of this bonus episode, Bianca interviews Booker Prize-nominated Charlotte Wood, the acclaimed author of Stone Yard Devotional. They delve into the challenges of writing quiet stories, the significance of visitations in the narrative, and the intentional choices behind the unnamed narrator. Wood discusses her unique diary style, the themes of guilt, shame, and forgiveness, and the power of anecdotes in storytelling. The conversation highlights the importance of specificity and emotional depth in literary fiction, providing insights into the writing process and the complexities of character development.Next, Bianca interviews Karen Thompson Walker, a...
2025-02-241h 35
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingDelving Deeply Into Your Antagonist's PsycheIn this segment of Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly and CeCe discuss a gothic horror novel submission as well as a psychological thriller.They highlight the importance of starting a story in the right place, the challenges of multi-POV narratives, and the need for clarity in character perspectives. The critique emphasizes the balance between emotional depth and curiosity in storytelling. The hosts discuss the challenges of originality and character development in psychological thrillers; while navigating the complexities of writing compelling protagonists, particularly those with darker traits.The discussion also emphasizes the need for curiosity-inducing plots...
2025-02-2044 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingThe Stories We Tell Ourselves to Make Them More PalatableIn today’s author interview, Bianca chats with Sarah Chihaya about her memoir, Bibliophobia.During the conversation, they explore the profound impact of literature on identity and mental health. Sarah also reflects on her journey as a reader and writer, the complexities of navigating personal narratives, and the challenges of writing about trauma. The discussion delves into the significance of 'Life-Ruiner' books, the transition from academic writing to memoir, and the role of humor as a defense mechanism, and whether that helps or hinders storytelling.Note: Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra are literary agen...
2025-02-1333 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingWhat is Literary Burlesque and Can You Perform It?In this segment of Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly and Cece discuss a memoir submission as well as a speculative thriller submission.They highlight the importance of balancing plot points with emotional depth; the significance of character development through interior monologue; how character arcs are crucial in memoir writing; the importance of building tension throughout the narrative; how the query letter should focus on plot points rather than just vibes; and the need for curiosity in opening pages. The hosts emphasize the delicate dance between withholding and revealing information in storytelling, and the necessity of g...
2025-02-0648 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingCapturing Your Character’s Voice by Deeply Immersing Yourself in Their PerspectiveIn this engaging conversation, Bianca interviews Allegra Goodman about her latest novel, Isola, exploring themes of storytelling, character development, and the writing process. Goodman discusses her journey as a writer, the importance of writing what interests you, and the challenges of crafting a historical narrative. The discussion delves into the role of voice, perspective, and the economy of language in literary fiction, as well as the collaborative relationship between authors and editors. Note: Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra are literary agents at P.S. Literary Agency, but their work on this podcast is not affiliated w...
2025-01-3032 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingJanuary Bonus Episode Comp Titles SegmentIn January’s bonus episode, Bianca and Emilie Sommer from East City Book Bookshop tackle a variety of book recommendations based on listener comp requests. If you’re looking for our usual Q&A segment, that now gets published as part of our end of the month Substack newsletter. Subscribe to get access to that, and so much more: https://theshitaboutwriting.substack.com/Note: Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra are literary agents at P.S. Literary Agency, but their work on this podcast is not affiliated with the agency, and the views expressed by Carly and...
2025-01-2748 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingCeCe Swipes Carly’s SubmissionIn this Books with Hooks segment, hosts Bianca, Carly and CeCe delve into two query letters from aspiring authors. The hosts discuss how negotiation can leak tension in storytelling; why character relationships should drive the narrative; how world-building should enhance character development; why queries for retellings need to focus on unique story angles; and avoiding namesplaining in character introductions.CeCe also swipes Carly’s submission because she loved it so much!Note: Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra are literary agents at P.S. Literary Agency, but their work on this podcast is not affi...
2025-01-2339 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingExploring How a Single Choice Can Define an Entire LifeIn this engaging author interview, Bianca chats with Karissa Chen about her debut novel, Homeseeking.During the conversation, they explore the inspiration behind the story, the extensive research that was required before Karissa could begin writing, and the challenges of navigating language and cultural identity in literature.Karissa shares her journey to publication, the integral role that music plays in framing her narrative, and her thoughts on the responsibilities of writers to their readers.They also discuss the magic that can arise when you allow yourself to “pants” characterization, and how doing so can...
2025-01-1634 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingA Query That Ticks all of CeCe’s Psychological Acuity BoxesIn this Books with Hooks segment, hosts Bianca, Carly and CeCe welcome listeners to a new year of writing while they reflect on their critiquing journey over the past four years. They dive into the critique of two query letters, focusing on the importance of connection, character motivations, and cinematic elements in storytelling. The conversation also explores the dynamics of campus novels and the significance of compelling hooks in narratives. They also discuss how psychological acuity is the child of interiority and emotionality, and CeCe declares her query to be the best she’s seen on t...
2025-01-0942 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingPlaying to Your Strengths as a WriterIn today’s episode, Bianca interviews Emmy award-winning journalist and bestselling author, Kate Fagan, about her debut novel, The Three Lives of Cate Kay. Kate shares how she originally came to listen to the podcast, as well as the details of her journey to publication (which included querying podcast host, Carly Watters). Bianca and Kate go on to discuss the unique structure of the novel that reads like a memoir featuring multiple POVs. Kate shares insights on the creative process behind her ambitious storytelling and how she played to her strengths as a writer. She del...
2025-01-0233 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingCan An Agent Picture a Movie Trailer After Reading Your Query Letter?In today’s Books with Hooks segment, hosts Bianca, Carly, and CeCe provide feedback on two query letters, one for historical fiction and the other for historical fantasy.They discuss the importance of character development, plot clarity, and the balance between world-building and emotional engagement. The conversation emphasizes the need for specificity in storytelling and the challenges of writing historical and fantasy fiction.The hosts also explore the significance of themes versus plot in selling a book, and the complexities of crafting effective prologues.Note: Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra are literary agents at...
2024-12-2636 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingTechniques for Fully Dramatizing Scenes or Bringing Memories to LifeIn today’s author interview, Bianca interviews Jessica Waite about her memoir, The Widow's Guide to Dead Bastards. Jessica discusses her writing journey as a form of healing, the challenges of the publishing process, and the complexities of grief. They also discuss the intentional choices behind the book's structure, the use of present tense, and the importance of dramatizing scenes to engage readers, as well as Jessica’s tips for bringing memories vividly to life on the page. The conversation concludes with insights on the realities of post-publication life for memoirists.Note: Carly Watte...
2024-12-1933 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingThe Polarizing “P” WordIn today’s Books with Hooks segment, hosts Bianca, Carly, and CeCe analyze two query letters, one for an upmarket novel and one for women’s fiction, providing insights on character development, prologues, and the importance of clarity in storytelling. The discussion emphasizes the need for movement in narratives and the balance between internal conflict and external action. The hosts offer constructive feedback to aspiring authors, highlighting the significance of engaging openings and the necessity of grounding stories in specific contexts.Note: Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra are literary agents at P.S. Liter...
2024-12-1235 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingAll Things Fantasy and RomantasyIn this engaging author interview, Bianca chats with Sarah Hawley to discuss her journey as a fantasy and paranormal romance author, focusing on her latest novel, Servant of Earth. Sarah shares insights into the writing process, the importance of character-driven narratives, and the nuances of defining genres like romantasy. The discussion also delves into world-building, the challenges of plotting a series, and the intersection of political themes within fantasy writing. Sarah emphasizes the significance of personal experiences in shaping her stories and encourages writers to embrace their unique voices and writing processes.Note: C...
2024-12-0532 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingThe Challenges of Writing in the First PersonIn today’s Books with Hooks segment, the hosts, Bianca, Carly and CeCe, analyze two query letters submitted by aspiring authors, one of which is a memoir and the other a YA steampunk query. They provide detailed feedback on the structure, content, and emotional depth of the letters, emphasizing the importance of clarity, causality, and character development. The conversation also delves into the challenges of writing in the first person and the need for emotional layers in world-building. Note: Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra are literary agents at P.S. Literary Agency, but the...
2024-11-2828 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingNovember Bonus Episode: Comps Title SegmentIn November’s bonus episode, Bianca and Emilie Sommer from East City Book Bookshop tackle a variety of book recommendations based on listener comp requests. They discuss neurodivergent characters, speculative fiction, crime and mystery, literary fiction dealing with trauma, humorous narratives, art and historical mysteries, speculative westerns, dark fiction, hopeful sci-fi, romance in unique settings, historical fiction addressing climate change, feminist retellings, middle grade stories, and courtroom dramas. If you’re looking for our usual Q&A segment, that now gets published as part of our end of the month Substack newsletter. Subscribe to get acce...
2024-11-2543 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingAll the Things You Might Not Expect on Your Author Bingo CardIn today’s episode, Bianca interviews KJ Dell’Antonia, author of The Chicken Sisters and Playing the Witch Card. They discuss KJ's journey from nonfiction to fiction, the challenges of debuting with a bestseller, and the intricacies of world-building in contemporary fiction. The discussion also delves into narrative voice, character arcs, and the importance of aligning emotional stakes with plot development. KJ shares insights into the author life, including the highs and lows of publishing, and the impact of adaptations on storytelling.Note: Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra are literary agents at P.S. Literary Agency, but thei...
2024-11-2128 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingThe Significance of Pacing in StorytellingIn today’s Books with Hooks segment, hosts Bianca, Carly and CeCe analyze a literary fiction query and a historical fiction query, providing insights on structure, emotional depth, and character development. The discussion emphasizes the importance of compelling opening lines, the need for emotional complexity in characters, and the significance of pacing in storytelling. The hosts also share their thoughts on how to effectively convey a protagonist's journey and the nuances of familial relationships in writing.Note: Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra are literary agents at P.S. Literary Agency, but their work on this podcast is not...
2024-11-1430 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingThe Black List: The Future of StorytellingIn today’s episode, Carly and CeCe interview Franklin Leonard and Randy Winston, founders of The Blacklist, a platform designed to connect writers with industry professionals. They discuss the role of literary agents, the pricing structure of their services, the qualifications of their readers, and the impact of their recent New York Times profile. The conversation highlights the challenges and opportunities in the publishing industry, emphasizing the importance of quality feedback and the need for writers to aim high in their craft. In this conversation, Franklin and Randy discuss the evolving relationship between the film and television industry and li...
2024-11-0739 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingLeveraging Your Characters’ Emotional ComplexityToday Bianca, Carly, and CeCe critique a coming-of-age submission set in the 80s, as well as a speculative literary fiction query.They chat about the importance of details in a query, as opposed to big-picture themes; an example of a prologue that induces curiosity; layering emotion to create more realistic interactions with characters; including emotion and interiority during narration/exposition to elevate your work; how the emotional complexity of your characters can heighten your readers’ connection to them; figuring out ways to show what characters want, rather than explicitly telling readers what that is; the risk of wr...
2024-10-3132 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingOctober Comp Title Bonus EpisodeJoin Bianca in our October bonus episode as your favourite book person, Emilie Sommer from East City Book Shop, answers all your comp requests!If you’re looking for our usual Q&A segment, that now gets published as part of our end of the month Substack newsletter. Subscribe to get access to that, and so much more: https://theshitaboutwriting.substack.com/Note: Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra are literary agents at P.S. Literary Agency, but their work on this podcast is not affiliated with the agency, and the views expressed by Carly and Ce...
2024-10-2825 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingDramatizing a Scene so That It Comes to Life on the PageToday Bianca interviews NYT bestselling nature writer, Leigh Ann Henion. They discuss Leigh Ann's latest work, Night Magic: Adventures Among Glowworms, Moon Gardens, and Other Marvels of the Dark; the inspiration behind the book; the process of getting a book like this written and published; being able to illustrate how your non-fiction work fills a gap in the market; scene-setting in non-fiction; including relevant and interesting information without overwhelming the narrative; and always paying attention to what a character knows at that particular point in the story.Note: Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra are literary agents at P...
2024-10-2430 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingEnsuring Your Plot and Climax Match Your GenreToday, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe critique a speculative fiction query and a literary fiction one. They discuss avoiding confusion in your query letter; using names, rather than pronouns, in queries; ensuring your plot and climax match your genre; writing interiority that reflects your characters' realities; title expectations for literary fiction; avoiding being too vague with your plot; and the challenges of writing in epistolary form.Note: Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra are literary agents at P.S. Literary Agency, but their work on this podcast is not affiliated with the agency, and the views expressed...
2024-10-1731 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingHow Character Relationships Can Reveal Vulnerability and Create High StakesIn today’s episode, Bianca interviews the Hugo-Award winning and NYT bestselling sci-fi and fantasy author, Alix E. Harrow. They discuss Alix's latest novel, Starling House; her journey to publication and being chosen for Reese's Book Club; novellas and the fantasy/sci-fi genre's flexibility in the length of a work; Alix's process with world-building and her thought-process behind writing a book within a book; using secondary characters to up the stakes and shed light on your main character; the use of footnotes in the novel; maintaining and upping tension; writing beautiful prose in the drafting rather than the editing ph...
2024-10-1030 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingBalancing Scene Work and InteriorityToday, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe critique a family saga submission and a psychological thriller. They discuss whether there's a need for personalization at the top of your query; the importance of having POV information at the beginning of your letter; being concise with your wording; ensuring you illustrate how your multiple POV characters connect through plot and theme; examples of how to successfully share biographical details of characters; ensuring your metaphors don't take your reader out of the pages; avoiding over-writing in opening pages; the importance of reading your work aloud; ensuring your plot paragraphs speak to e...
2024-10-0338 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingBumper September Bonus EpisodeIn this month’s bonus episode, Bianca interviews Reese's book pick and best-selling author Marissa Stapley, to discuss her latest, The Lightning Bottles. They chat about the genesis of the novel; taking your time writing and the beauty that lies in the process of creating; the inspiration behind Marissa's protagonist; why she chose specific characters as POV characters; how Marissa managed to work in a prologue that was from a younger person's perspective without it reading like YA; the challenges of writing a book after experiencing major success; working with multiple editors at the same time; and advice for wh...
2024-09-301h 33
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingInsights from NYT bestselling authors, Liane Moriarty and Hannah Nicole MaehrerIn today’s episode, we have two epic author interviews!The first is with NYT best-selling romance-fantasy author, Hannah Nicole Maehrer, and her agent, Brent Taylor. Bianca interviews Hannah and Brent to discuss Hannah's latest novel, Apprentice to the Villain; Hannah's unique, TikTok-related inspiration for her debut novel; how Hannah views her genre; how Brent discovered Hannah; the importance of chemistry in an author/agent relationship; how Hannah comped her debut when querying; what the editing process looked like; Brent's submission strategies with Hannah's debut; whether there were editors that regretted passing on Hannah's extraordinarily successful debut; ha...
2024-09-261h 22
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingDigging Deep to Find Your Characters’ Messy EmotionsToday, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe discuss a humorous contemporary fiction query and an upmarket book club query. They discuss clearly defining your genre; the importance of time stamps when you have a ticking time bomb situation; writing characters that are likeable or interesting enough that readers will want to follow their arc and journey; the necessity of giving characters wants and needs immediately; what "likeable" means in a character; ensuring your plot points are connected; starting your novel in the right place and what that requires; and digging deep to find messy emotions in your characters.
2024-09-1934 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingProblem-Solving Your Way Through a StoryIn today’s author interview, Bianca interviews Amanda Peters, author of Waiting for the Long Night Moon, which is a collection of short stories. Amanda reads the first short story in the collection, and the two discuss framing and POV and Amanda's deliberate choices regarding POV in her stories; tension that comes from the reader knowing something the characters don't; writing quiet stories that are emotionally weighted; finding your way into a beginning and the evolution of Amanda's second story in the collection; problem solving as an integral part of being a writer; and Amanda's experience oscillating be...
2024-09-1231 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingMaking Something Unexpected Happen in Your Opening PagesIn today’s Book with Hooks episode, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe critique an upmarket women's fiction query and a dark romance one (spicy content warning!). They discuss the need for cause and effect between your plot points; avoiding overwriting in dialogue; the difficulties with having a very insecure protagonist; the need for something unexpected to happen in the opening pages; the concept of dark romance; specificity in your query; teasing backstory about your main character in your query; avoiding trying to do too much in your query; making your letter as readable as possible; starting novels with ra...
2024-09-0541 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingCoco Mellors' Incredible Insights on WritingIn today's Books with Hooks, we’re throwing it back to an early backlist segment.After which Bianca interviews bestselling author, Coco Mellors, to discuss her latest novel, Blue Sisters. They discuss writing on the line level while using metaphor and similes to describe things in ways that no one else has expressed them before; the creation of Coco's extremely compelling prologue and how she approached writing it; writing characters who have agency and how their agency affects the plot; balancing showing vs telling, and how to make the telling feel like showing; how writing ca...
2024-08-291h 12
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingAugust Bonus: Insights from Fiona Barton and Jean MeltzerIn this month’s bonus episode, Bianca interviews writer, journalist, and author Fiona Barton. They discuss the resounding success of Fiona's debut, The Widow, and its unique journey to publication; the editing process with her agent; the transition from journalism to writing fiction; why Fiona included a prologue in her latest thriller, Talking to Strangers and what she wants readers to take from it; and the social commentary in the novel.After which, Bianca chats with Jean Meltzer, screenwriter and author of the rom-com, Magical Meet Cute. They discuss the importance of the meet-cute in a rom-com; su...
2024-08-2659 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingWriting the So-Called ‘Unlikable Protagonist’In today's Books with Hooks, we’re throwing it back to an early backlist segment.After which, Bianca interviews sisters, Lynne and Valerie Constantine, who write under the pen name, Liv Constantine. The three discuss Lynne and Valerie’s latest bestselling novel, The Next Mrs. Parish; their decision to write a sequel following their Audible prequel; being a ‘plotter,’ ‘pantser,’ or ‘plantser’; the experience of re-immersing yourself in characters and timelines you’ve written before; deciding where to begin a sequel; giving your readers high stakes wants and needs from the jump; causality in plot; character psychology; and how to write u...
2024-08-221h 19
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingThe Idea of Writing the Book That Doesn’t ExistIn today's Books with Hooks, we’re throwing it back to an early backlist segment.After which, CeCe interviews Claire Jiménez, assistant professor and author of What Happened to Ruthy Ramirez. They discuss the three pivotal moments in Claire's writing career; Claire's experience writing a multitude of POVs; how she went about developing her characters; how publishing is like a nightclub; what surprised Claire about the publishing world; Claire's advice to emerging writers; and the idea of writing the book that doesn't exist.Note: Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra are literary agents at P.S...
2024-08-151h 19
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingWhy You Shouldn’t Make Every Change Your Beta Readers SuggestIn today's Books with Hooks, we’re throwing it back to an early backlist segment.After which, Bianca interviews MK Pagano, author of the YA thriller romance, Girls Who Burn. The two discuss MK's journey to publication; the importance of knowing when to part ways with an agent, even if s/he is a good agent; MK's experience with beta readers and following your heart when it comes to editing; how MK pitched her 'romantic thriller'; deciding on characters' ages when writing YA; why MK chose first person POV for her novel; writing with a cast of ch...
2024-08-081h 07
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingWorking With an Agent on Edits Ahead of SubmissionIn today's Books with Hooks, we’re throwing it back to an early backlist segment.After which, CeCe speaks with her very own client, Anamely Salgado Reyes, author of My Mother Cursed My Name. They discuss Anamely's query letter to CeCe and CeCe's response to it; Anamely's experience with her first round of edits from CeCe; the inspiration behind her work; how she feels about family and friends reading a work that was loosely inspired by them; and what has surprised Anamely about publishing. Note: Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra are literary agents at P.S...
2024-08-011h 16
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingFrom Self-Publishing to Traditional Publishing: You Don’t Know What You Don’t KnowIn this month’s bonus episode, Bianca interviews Kern Carter, author of And Then There Was Us. They discuss the different routes to publication and the differences between traditional and self publishing; how Kern worked to improve his craft while trying to land an agent; the challenges of writing from a perspective that isn’t your own, and why you might choose to do so; how he approached characterization; the importance of nailing emotionality in YA novels; the supernatural elements of And Then There Was Us; trusting your editor and agent; how Kern pitches new ideas to his a...
2024-07-2934 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingGiving Characters Changing Wants and Needs to Fulfill Their Character ArcsIn today's Books with Hooks, we’re throwing it back to an early backlist segment.After which, Bianca interviews creative writing professor, essayist, and author of Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance, Alison Espach. They discuss falling into the mode of writing the same sorts of novels repeatedly; the genre that Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance was pitched and marketed as; Alison's latest release, The Wedding People; writing a book that spanned a long period of time to one that spanned only a few days; writing a voicey third person POV; inciting incidents that happen off the page an...
2024-07-251h 27
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingGiving Yourself Permission to Change and Grow as a WriterIn today's Books with Hooks, we’re throwing it back to an early backlist segment.After which, CeCe interviews Parini Shroff, lawyer and author of the national bestseller and award nominated The Bandit Queens. They discuss, Parini's experience working as a lawyer part-time while also writing fiction; finding it difficult to sustain writing for long periods; Parini's editing and writing process; giving yourself permission to change and grow as a writer; what Parini finds the most challenging in her writing; the POV of The Bandit Queens; Parini's path to publication; how she approaches starting a novel; her re...
2024-07-181h 15
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingWriting Issue-Driven YA Fiction & Considering Alternate Routes to PublicationIn today's Books with Hooks, we’re throwing it back to an early backlist segment.After which, Bianca interviews author, editor, head of Writing Ink Publishing, and creative writing teacher, Abigail Wild. They discuss Abigail's latest novel, More Than One Way To Breathe; the extent to which younger readers can handle difficult topics; Abigail's advice to YA writers who want to write issue-driven fiction for teens; writing characters with disabilities authentically and sensitively; Wild Ink Publishing and Abigail's inspiration for starting the company; and building an author brand platform.Note: Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra ar...
2024-07-111h 07
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingThe Joy of Writing Without Following a SynopsisIn today's Books with Hooks, we’re throwing it back to an early backlist segment.After which, Carly interviews her very own client and best-selling author, Renee Carlino, to discuss her latest novel, This Used to Be Us. They chat about Renee's journey to becoming a published author; how she found her first agent; what it's been like changing her focus and content over the course of her career; the joy of writing without a deadline or a synopsis to follow; Renee's experience having one of her older books go viral on TikTok; the premise behind Renee's la...
2024-07-041h 08
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingHow to Tackle Writing an Omniscient POVIn today's Books with Hooks, Bianca, CeCe, and Carly are joined by Jennifer to discuss her thriller submission. They chat about trigger warnings and their necessity in a query; ensuring your stakes aren't too obvious while illustrating the bigger 'why' at hand; framing your query letter in a way that highlights your POV characters and not others; the need for causality when it comes to plot points; utilizing similar pitch copy to help write more difficult or unique aspects of your query; tips for writing a query for a novel that is first person POV; avoiding overexplaining and trusting...
2024-06-271h 11
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingWhat Message Do You Want to Convey Through Your Writing?In today's bonus episode, Bianca interviews author, Kirsten Miller, to chat about her latest novel, Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books. They discuss writing across different genres and what drove Kirsten to change up her genre; writing with the intention of sharing a message with readers; the inspiration behind the novel; Kirsten's experience working with different editors; putting a book on the shelf for a while rather than quitting altogether; releasing a book during an election year, particularly a book that's inherently political; the structure of the novel and the challenges associated with writing it that way; Ki...
2024-06-2428 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingHow Interiority Makes a Character Come AliveIn today's Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe critique a rom-com and a YA submission. They discuss the importance of clarity in your query and avoiding language that might cause confusion; the necessity of a clear major dramatic question in your query; ensuring your protagonists aren't anticipating everything that happens in your pages; the necessity of including a character's tone in dialogue; properly mapping out how your plot points connect; thinking in specifics and futurization; and an example of strong opening pages.After which, Bianca chats with Claire Lombardo, best-selling author of The Most Fun We...
2024-06-201h 12
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingAn Inspiring Journey to PublicationIn today's Books with Hooks, Bianca, CeCe, and Carly critique two upmarket submissions, one of which is in the gothic genre. They discuss the reasoning behind placing your metadata at the top of a query; avoiding unnecessary detail in your query; avoiding slipping from pitch to synopsis; the need for interiority, particularly interiority that will surprise the reader; taking the opportunity to use plot points as curiosity seeds when you're able to; avoiding performative dialogue; being mindful about word choice in your query so as not to confuse your reader; avoiding withholding too much plot in your query; and...
2024-06-131h 05
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingWriting That Evokes All the FeelsIn today's Books with Hooks, Bianca, CeCe, and Carly are joined by guest literary agent, Mary C. Moore. They critique a resubmission and a sci-fi query, during which they discuss: the importance of making tropes as fresh and different as possible; how to ensure your pitch isn't too dense, especially in genres that involve world-building; highlighting why you're the right person to tell the story you've written; writing plot points that connect to your major dramatic question; the balancing act of trying to write a cross-over novel; always being mindful of your writing at a line-level; the quality of...
2024-06-061h 04
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingChoosing How to Frame Certain Aspects of Your WorkIn today's Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe are joined by listener, Kelly Fuller, as they critique her book club fiction submission. They discuss picking comps that match the genre you're writing in; using your query to discuss the plot of the book rather than backstory about your characters; ensuring your stakes are high enough; pitching the right agent for your book based on its content; the need for plot that showcases causality in your query; writing a book that's as long as it needs to be; balancing plot development and character development; being mindful of intentionally writing...
2024-05-301h 11
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingMay Bonus EpisodeIn this month’s bonus episode, Bianca chats with Courtney Preiss to discuss her debut novel, Welcome Home, Caroline Kline. They speak about the inspiration behind Courtney's novel and her journey to publication; her experiences with rejection during the querying process; being aware of cultural moments that could propel your novel forward when you’re timing your querying; the process after Courtney acquired an agent; the importance of knowing what genre you're writing in and who your readers are; Courtney's definition of upmarket women's fiction; the role personal essays can play in marketing your book; and Courtney's advice for emer...
2024-05-271h 25
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingA Debut Experience All Authors Dream OfIn today's Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe critique a YA submission and a literary coming-of-age horror. They discuss avoiding using repetitive language in a query; considering SEO when choosing a book title; the concept of 'scene work'; the need for disruption to occur in opening pages; matching word choice to genre when writing your query; pitching a literary fiction; finding a balance between showing and telling, even in literary fiction; and avoiding overwriting.After which, Bianca chats with freelance TV executive and writer, Samuel Burr. The two discuss Samuel's novel, The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers; its...
2024-05-2357 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingInsights from Publishing Phenomenon, Veronica RothIn today's Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe critique a literary fiction query and a high concept YA fantasy query. They discuss the necessity of being specific with plot details and your protagonists' motivations in your query; honing in on world-building when your novel takes place in a reality that's different from ours; the issue with not grounding readers strongly enough in scene; avoiding jumping around in time too much in the opening pages; the need to correctly specify your genre so an agent knows what to expect from your pages; being mindful of spelling errors and putting...
2024-05-1653 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingRewriting Instead of Giving UpIn today's Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe are joined by Paige to discuss her query for her action-adventure romance novel. They discuss the importance of spelling out your protagonist's motivation in your query; the need for story-forward plot escalation; accurately positioning your novel’s genre; making an agent's job easier by picking the right comps; using external plot to make readers invested in your characters; following genre rules when it comes to plot points; the need for conflict and tension in act two; focusing on your protagonist in your opening lines/paragraphs; avoiding character descriptions that are to...
2024-05-091h 09
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingMetaphor and Meaning in MemoirIn today's Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe are joined by two guests, author Rachel Kapelke-Dale and her agent, Sarah Phair. They discuss ensuring your comps align with each other and with your work; making sure your query is representative of your whole novel and not just one part; using your author bio to help show why you're the one to write this story; the concept of auto-fiction; the importance of highlighting the POV you're writing from; being specific with your plot points in your query; finding the right balance between what you withhold and what you reveal...
2024-05-021h 22
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingApril Bonus Episode: Writing Without a PricetagIn this month’s bonus episode, Bianca interviews poet, novelist, and Chair of the Amherst Writers (AWA), Sue Reynolds. They discuss the AWA workshop method and how it differs from other workshops; what occurs in an AWA workshop; the importance of giving writers a safe and encouraging space to share their work; the concept of strength-based feedback; the specific practices within the workshops; writing without a 'pricetag'; the AWA method's commitment to holding space for marginalized and previously silenced voices; the connection between disclosure through writing and healing; the point at which an AWA workshop can be helpful in th...
2024-04-291h 11
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingCaroline Leavitt’s Insights and EncouragementIn today’s Book with Hooks, Carly and CeCe critique two listener queries, a resubmission and a YA fantasy. They discuss the issue of starting with a protagonist that has a 'simple, stable' life; a great example of an inciting incident; ensuring your major dramatic question is strong enough; good storytelling as the promise of change; making your protagonist the 'sun' of your story; infusing emotion into the information you provide; ensuring that your plot feels like a set of dominos tipping over; taglines in a query; differentiating your novel's tropes from how they're used in other novels in yo...
2024-04-251h 04
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingFiguring Out What Genre You Should Be Writing InIn today's Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe critique a children's picture book and a literary fiction query. They discuss avoiding vagueness, no matter the genre; using illustrator notes in a picture book pitch; the need for tension, even in a children's book; framing your novel in your query so agents aren't confused when they get to the pages; the need for external plot points, even in a more internal work of literary fiction; the natural gravitation of readers to one POV in a dual POV work; the subjectivity of the industry; the purpose of interiority; and erring...
2024-04-1856 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingChoosing the Best POVs for a Multi-POV NovelIn today's Books with Hooks, Carly and CeCe are joined by guest agent, Jo Ramsay, to critique two queries. They discuss the issue of withholding too much plot in a query; highlighting the stakes in your query; the importance of first lines in a novel; the need for psychological depth and acuity in your characters; the issue of comping to titles that are hugely successful; the risk of having too many POVs in a novel; avoiding too much backstory in your query; and the problems with a reader being too removed from a scene, even if it's done intentionally.
2024-04-111h 00
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingInsights from Mary KubicaIn today's Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly and CeCe discuss choosing a unique title for your work; having a strong plot connection between your main characters in a multi POV novel; avoiding situations where the agent has to make too many assumptions in a query; choosing between italics and dialogue tags when having a character talk to themselves; balancing interiority so as not to leak tension; framing your story in a way that is accurate to your work; connecting external stakes to plot points; centering the reader in a memoir query; and CeCe's tension song!Bianca then...
2024-04-041h 04
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingHow to Build Your Author Platform in an Authentic WayCarly Watters and Cece Lyra are now co-hosts of the podcast (Yay!), who will be doing the Books with Hooks segment every week, in which they discuss your query letters and opening pages. This week's segment specifically looks at how to trust both yourself and your reader. After which, Bianca Marais chats with author, Kerry Clare, about how to be a human on the internet as you work to raise your author profile ahead of publication. Our Sponsors:* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com
2021-04-1551 minThe Shit No One Tells You About WritingIn Praise of BookstagrammersIn the regular Books with Hooks segment, author and host, Bianca Marais, chats with P.S. Literary agents extraordinaire, Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra about query letters and opening pages that listeners have submitted. After which, Bianca interviews Traci Thomas, Bookstagrammer and host of the wildly popular podcast, The Stacks, about the value of Bookstagrammers, the influence of social media, and fighting for the the community who champions authors.Our Sponsors:* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my co...
2021-04-081h 14The Shit No One Tells You About WritingCareer Advice from Bestselling Susan WiggsIn the regular Books with Hooks segment, author and host, Bianca Marais, chats with P.S. Literary agents extraordinaire, Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra about query letters and opening pages that listeners have submitted. After which, Bianca interviews bestselling author, Susan Wiggs (author of The Lost and Found Bookshop) about staying relevant; treating your writing like a business; showing up for yourself; and how to combine creativity with making shrewd decisions for your career. Our Sponsors:* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com* Check ou...
2021-04-011h 08The Shit No One Tells You About WritingWriting From Rage & Own Voices StoriesAuthor and host, Bianca Marais, chats with P.S. Literary agents extraordinaire, Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra, in their regular Books with Hooks segment, in which listeners submit their query letters and first pages to get advice on grabbing their dream agents' attention. After which, Bianca interviews South African author, Keletso Mopai, about writing from rage, how to publish a short story collection, social commentary and activism in writing, and the necessity of #OwnVoices in publishing.Our Sponsors:* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com
2021-03-251h 03The Shit No One Tells You About WritingCapturing Time and Place - Ann MahAuthor and host, Bianca Marais, chats with P.S. Literary agents extraordinaire, Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra, in their regular Books with Hooks segment, in which listeners send in their query letters and first pages to get advice on grabbing their dream agents' attention. After which, Bianca interviews author, and food and travel writer, Ann Mah, about capturing time and place; how to be inspired by your travels; doing in-depth research; and when setting becomes character. Our Sponsors:* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com
2021-03-181h 02The Shit No One Tells You About WritingWhy Writing is a Marathon - Marissa StapleyAuthor and host, Bianca Marais, chats with agents extraordinaire, Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra, in their regular Books with Hooks segment, in which listeners send in their query letters and first pages to get advice on grabbing their dream agents' attention. After which, Bianca interviews bestselling author, Marissa Stapley, about why being a writer is a marathon and not a sprint, and what it takes to be successful. Our Sponsors:* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code T...
2021-03-1156 minThe Shit No One Tells You About WritingIndie PublishersAuthor and host, Bianca Marais, chats with agents extraordinaire, Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra, in their regular Books with Hooks segment, in which listeners send in their query letters and first pages to get advice on grabbing their dream agents' attention. After which, Bianca chats with Alexandria Brown, co-owner of indie publisher, Rising Action Publishing Co, about the pros and cons of the various types of publishing, and why you might want to consider going with an indie publisher. Our Sponsors:* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://ww...
2021-03-0453 minThe Shit No One Tells You About WritingFirst Books with Hooks & Freelance EditorsIn this jampacked episode, author and host, Bianca Marais, chats with fabulous agents, Carly Watters and Cecilia Lyra, as they launch their exciting new segment, Books with Hooks. In it, Carly and CeCe read the query letters and opening pages of novels that listeners have submitted in order to get useful critique. This will be a regular segment of the show going forward. After which, Bianca chats with freelance editor, Rachel Spence, about everything you need to know about developmental edits and manuscript evaluations.Our Sponsors:* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY...
2021-02-251h 02The Shit No One Tells You About WritingPoint of View and an Update on the Industry: Carly WattersAuthor and Host, Bianca Marais, chats with literary agent, Carly Watters from P.S. Literary Agency, about elements of craft and the state of the literary industry. Carly discusses factors you need to consider when choosing the right point of view (PoV) and PoV characters for your novel, as well as what the industry looks like after Covid and the Penguin Random House purchase of Simon & Schuster. Our Sponsors:* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code TSNOTYAW f...
2020-12-2442 min