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PODCAST

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

Bianca Marais, Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra

This is a podcast for emerging writers who want to improve the quality of their work and learn more about the publishing industry. Your one host, Bianca Marais (the bestselling author of 'The Witches of Moonshyne Manor') interviews authors, agents, editors and just about anyone and everyone who's involved in bringing a book to market. She's joined by her cohosts, literary agents Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra from P.S. Literary Agency, who read and critique query letters as well as

arts books

All Episodes

46:13

How to Find The Hook in Your Book

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2025/09/18

In this episode of Books with Hooks, hosts Bianca, Carly and CeCe chat with Leslie, winner of our flash fiction contest, about her query letter for a YA dystopian novel. They explore the story’s themes, how to structure a compelling query, and why tension and stakes are key. Carly and CeCe weigh in with feedback on character depth, the virus’s role in the plot, and ensuring the protagonist drives the action. The conversation drives home the power of a strong Act One to lay the groundwork for the

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51:47

Shooting The Shit: About book blurb culture, how to...

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2025/09/15

In this episode of Shooting the Shit, Carly and CeCe tackle some of publishing’s messiest realities with their usual mix of honesty and humor. They dig into the alarming trend of agents offering representation with 24-hour decision windows—and why that’s predatory. The conversation then shifts to the world of blurbs: pre-written pitches, the hidden economy of “I’ll blurb yours if you blurb mine,” and whether blurbs actually help sell books. They also break down the Anthropic settlement, explaining

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30:57

Intentionality! Intentionality! Intentionality!

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2025/09/11

In this engaging conversation, Bianca interviews Danya Kukafka, the author of 'Notes on an Execution.' They discuss the inspiration behind the novel, the evolution of its story, and the intentionality behind character perspectives. Danya shares insights into her writing process, the unique narrative style of ‘Ansel’, and the importance of exploring the lives of victims. The discussion also touches on existential themes, structural frameworks, and Danya's dual role as an author and

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43:38

Shooting the Shit: Why the industry publishes so many...

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2025/09/08

In this episode of Shooting the Shit, Carly and CeCe kick things off with a little post–Labor Day catch-up before diving into the big stuff: staying sane while juggling work, life, and endless TBR piles. They tackle the rise of phishing scams targeting writers, breaking down the warning signs every author should know before signing with an agent.The conversation heats up with industry buzz—CEO shakeups, shifting sales trends, and what all this means for authors trying to stand out. Carly and CeCe

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35:21

Pitch Perfect

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2025/09/04

In this episode of Books with Hooks, literary agents Carly and CeCe get nit-picky with an almost ‘Pitch Perfect’ query submission. They offer insider tips on how this particular query grabbed their attention from the very first line. They dish on what makes a query irresistible, why killer opening pages matter, and how to nail tension and character depth—especially in the thriller genre. Whether you're drafting your first pitch or polishing your tenth, this episode is packed with must-know

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46:51

Shooting The Shit: Shooting The Shit about what...

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2025/09/01

In this episode of Shooting The Shit, Carly and CeCe unpack the state of today’s publishing industry—from their latest projects to upcoming conferences and the realities of writer–agent dynamics. They dig into what writers can expect from conferences, how agents sharpen their manuscript-analysis skills, and whether podcast appearances really move the needle on book sales. At the heart of the conversation: building a lasting author brand and navigating the ever-shifting publishing landscapeNote: Cece

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56:06

Writing a Voicey Novel

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2025/08/28

In part one of this week’s episode, Bianca sits down with bestselling author Annie Hartnett to dive into her poignant new novel, ‘The Road to Tender Hearts.’ Together, they unpack the novel’s rich themes of loss, redemption, and the beautifully messy nature of human connection. Annie shares her behind-the-scenes writing process, why voice matters more than ever, and how she balances humor with heartbreak. They also explore the magic—and challenge—of writing in an omniscient POV, plus the personal

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57:17

August Bonus Episode

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2025/08/25

In part one of August’s Bonus Episode, Bianca connects with debut author Jo Morey. In this vibrant conversation,Jo opens up about her novel ‘Lime Juice Money’, sharing the winding road to publication and the intricacies of the editing process. Jo dives into the unique challenge—and opportunity—of writing from the perspective of a protagonist with a hearing impairment, offering a powerful look at voice, perspective, and representation. She also reflects on her writing routine, the art of crafting

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38:55

Exploring the Critical to Compassionate Spectrum

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2025/08/21

In 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

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50:11

Shooting The Shit: CeCe's new job, agent referrals,...

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2025/08/18

CeCe 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

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53:47

Karin Slaughter and the Mystery of Character and...

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2025/08/14

In part one of this week’s episode, Bianca sits down with the legendary bestselling author Karin Slaughter to talk about all things dark, twisty, and utterly gripping in her latest novel, ‘We Are All Guilty Here.’ From building immersive worlds to crafting characters that leap off the page, Karin gives us a behind-the-scenes look at her writing process—including the real work of research and the power of planting those irresistible “curiosity seeds” that keep readers hooked. She also opens up about

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44:35

Shooting The Shit: "AI Slop" affecting books, what...

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2025/08/11

This 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

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46:37

From Audience to Impact: Crafting a Narrative That...

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2025/08/07

In 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

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52:07

Shooting The Shit: About Editors, The "Death" Of The...

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2025/08/04

In 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

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27:50

From Books with Hooks to Published Author-How Writing...

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2025/07/31

In 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

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53:05

July Bonus Episode

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2025/07/28

In 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

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67:19

Making Context Feel Organic

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2025/07/24

In 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

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31:56

Shooting The Shit

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2025/07/21

Get 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

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30:59

How Setting is More Than Just Story Backdrop

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2025/07/17

In 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

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42:10

What is a familiar query letter...

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2025/07/10

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

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405 results

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