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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

37:39

Shooting The Shit About Changes to the NYT Bestseller...

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2026/04/13

This week, Carly and CeCe dive into major shifts in publishing—from quiet updates to the ‘New York Times’ bestseller list to growing concerns about editors using AI behind the scenes. Carly and CeCe unpack what these changes signal about industry trends, including the rise of audiobooks and the decline of mass market paperbacks. They also tackle the controversy around manuscripts being fed into AI tools—and what that means for author trust and confidentiality. Plus, a fascinating breakdown of debut

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38:14

Plugging in Mental Modules

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2026/04/09

This week on Books with Hooks, Bianca, CeCe and Carly break down two query letters—and pull no punches. From missing plot lines to overstuffed author bios, they highlight the biggest mistakes writers make when pitching their work. They dig into why subplots don’t belong in queries, how vague “vibes” kill momentum, and why your protagonist must think on the page—not just act. Plus: the danger of performing for the reader, the myth of show don’t tell, and what agents actually need to say yes. Note:

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38:04

Shooting the Shit About Cancelled Books and the Shy...

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2026/04/06

It’s chaos in publishing—and Carly and CeCe are breaking it all down. From the AI controversy behind Shy Girl to growing fears around trust, authorship, and what readers actually want. They get real and talk about layoffs, imprint closures, and what it means for writers navigating an already tough landscape. Plus: the reality of editor turnover, the flood of self-published books, and why literary fiction might be poised for a comeback.Note: CeCe Lyra is a literary agent at Wendy Sherman Associates

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60:12

Insights from Beth O'Leary and Kate Hilton

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2026/04/02

A double author interview you don’t want to miss! Bestselling author Beth O’Leary breaks down her signature approach to writing high-concept, emotionally grounded romance—starting with a compelling “what if” hook and building outward into layered characters, structure, and setting. She shares how ‘The Name Game’ evolved from a simple premise into a complex, multi-POV narrative with intentional use of diaries, emails, and dual timelines to deepen tension and deliver surprising twists. Beth also dives

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115:49

March Bonus Episode

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2026/03/30

March’s bonus episode is jam packed. We start off with an engaging conversation, Bianca speaks with author Kerry Clare about her latest novel, 'Definitely Thriving.' They explore the inspirations behind the book, including the influence of Barbara Pym and Rebecca Solnit, and discuss the complexities of writing, character development, and the importance of community and female empowerment in literature. Kerry shares her experiences of writing during the COVID-19 pandemic and reflects on the

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41:29

Comp Titles That Make Agents Go...Hmm

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2026/03/26

This week’s Books with Hooks gets real. The hosts dissect two query letters — one with a jaw-dropping horror premise and another that sparks big conversations about comps, pacing, and giving away too much too soon. From believable character choices to the difference between strong writing vs strong storytelling, this episode is packed with blunt, actionable feedback emerging writers need to hear. If you’re querying, revising, or obsessing over your first pages — don’t miss this one.Trigger

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41:24

Shooting the Shit About Your Response to Last Week's...

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2026/03/23

Publishing isn’t broken… or is it?This week, Carly and CeCe unpack the explosive reaction to last episode—burnout, disillusionment, and the uncomfortable truths no one wants to say out loud. Plus: a stat that proves a tiny group of readers is carrying the entire industry (yikes). They also call out London Book Fair myths, Instagram fatigue, and why long-form thinking is making a comeback.Note: CeCe Lyra is a literary agent at Wendy Sherman Associates. If you’d like to query CeCe, please refer to the

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25:53

The Secret Behind Immersive Worlds

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2026/03/19

In this week’s episode, bestselling author J.R. Ward—creator of the wildly popular ‘Black Dagger Brotherhood’ series—joins the show to talk about her new romantasy novel ‘Crown of War and Shadow’ and the evolution of fantasy romance. J.R. and Bianca explore the difference between paranormal romance and romantasy, why collectible book editions are booming, and how immersive worlds help readers experience powerful human emotions in extraordinary settings. J.R. shares her unconventional writing

en-US

44:48

Shooting the Shit About High Brow vs. Low Brow and...

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2026/03/16

In this week’s Shooting the Shit, Carly and CeCe bounce from industry gossip to big philosophical questions about publishing. They announce an exciting live podcast recording at the 'When Words Collide 2026’ conference in Calgary and share what’s buzzing around the London Book Fair—from politics and AI to the state of nonfiction. The conversation gets deeper when they unpack a viral Reddit post from a disillusioned editor questioning the publishing industry and what it really values. That leads

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44:42

When Characters Collide with Conflict

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2026/03/12

In this week’s episode of Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe critique two very different query letters—and what makes (or breaks) them on the page. First, they workshop an upmarket literary novel about an accountant heading to the brutal Mongol Derby, questioning stakes, starting point, and whether the pitch is selling the story or simply summarizing it. Then, they pivot to a 1970s dual-POV sports romance about a trailblazing female ultrarunner, breaking down strong comps, a compelling

en-US

41:47

Shooting the Shit About Sending The Elevator Back...

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2026/03/09

This week, Carly and CeCe are covering a little bit of everything—from surprising publishing mishaps to the realities of author blurbs and the strange psychology of the slush pile. They unpack what happens when an offer lands in an agent’s inbox… with the author’s name spelled wrong, why blurbs still matter (even when authors are overwhelmed by requests), and the unspoken etiquette of returning the favor in publishing’s “blurb economy.” The conversation also dives into overused comp titles in

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25:57

Insights from Lisa Unger

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2026/03/05

Bestselling thriller author Lisa Unger joins the show to talk about longevity, creativity, and the craft behind writing dark, layered stories. From surviving industry shifts to protecting your creative “deep work,” Lisa shares what it really takes to build a long writing career — and why the only constant is showing up at the page. Bianca and Lisa dive into writing multiple first-person POVs, creating authentic character voices, embracing organic storytelling, and how empathy and research shape

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47:44

Shooting the Shit About Memoirs That Sell and The...

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2026/03/02

Carly and CeCe are back! This week they chat about audiobook double-dipping stats, the behind-the-scenes “fires” agents constantly put out (covers, contracts, timelines, leverage), and whether traditional media still moves the needle—or just feeds our very human need for validation. They also dive into buzzy memoirs, literary-agent characters in fiction, and why AI submissions are getting spotted instantly and what that means for writers who don’t trust their own voice. Note: CeCe Lyra is a literary

en-US

42:36

Double Hooks & Power Imbalances

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2026/02/26

In this episode of Books with Hooks, Bianca, CeCe, and Carly workshop two anonymous submissions—a YA dystopian and an adult thriller—breaking down what’s working, what’s missing, and how to level both projects up for the slush pile. First up: a YA dystopian about a society built on “modification,” where failure means servitude—and survival may depend on a dangerous twin-swap. Then they turn to an adult thriller about a woman who returns to her hometown, finds her missing sister’s diary, and uncovers

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28:43

The Anatomy of an Opening

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2026/02/19

In this week’s episode, Bianca connects with rising women’s-fiction author Mara Williams. Mara shares her winding road to publication, the Books with Hooks → beta reader → agent pipeline, and why community matters. They dig into writing emotionally charged openings, handling buried secrets, balancing romance with women’s fiction, and learning which feedback to take—and which to trust yourself to ignore.Note: CeCe Lyra is a literary agent at Wendy Sherman Associates. If you’d like to query CeCe,

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46:42

Shooting The Shit About Our Publishing Pet Peeves and...

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2026/02/16

This week’s Shooting the Shit is pure publishing chaos — in the best way. CeCe and Carly swap hilariously relatable publishing pet peeves (reply-all disasters, missing phone numbers, email thread nightmares), answer listener DMs about agent offers, beauty contests, and what to do when your “yes” doesn’t feel right, and dive into real talk about author marketing budgets and industry expectations.They also unpack big publishing news — from Spotify’s new audiobook partnership to a fiery debate on

en-US

48:27

How to Make Agents Curious While Also Impressing Them...

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2026/02/12

In this special Books with Hooks segment, the team sits down with author Sarah Miller-Adams to workshop her query letter for Bilateral Breathing, an upmarket, literary-leaning novel about three mid-career women in medicine on the brink of personal and professional collapse.They break down what’s working (a striking voice, emotional depth, and powerful themes) and what needs sharpening—especially clarity around plot, POV, power dynamics, and how to handle multi-POV queries. From title choices to

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42:18

Shooting the Shit About Editors Quiet Quitting and...

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2026/02/09

Carly and CeCe are Shooting the Sh*t About what’s driving them crazy (and cracking them up) in publishing this week — from “quiet quitting” on option books and editors who ghost, to why a brilliant nonfiction expert ultimately chose not to write a book. They unpack a refreshingly transparent breakdown of what authors really make (and spend), defend why authors deserve to promote their work without backlash, and talk about how writers should actually learn publishing in 2026 — starting with craft

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53:44

The Long Game of Publishing

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2026/02/05

In part one of this week’s double author interview, Bianca sits down with executive by day and dark-fiction writer by night, Marisa Walz. They talk about her chilling debut novel ‘Good Intentions’ and the long, emotional road it took to get there. They dive into books dying on submission, leaving agents, trusting your instincts, and what it really means to keep going after heartbreak. Marisa shares how years of failed books shaped the voice and confidence behind her debut. Next up is romance author

en-US

40:35

Shooting The Shit About Auctions, *That* Post, and...

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2026/02/02

On this week’s segment of Shooting the Shit, Carly and CeCe talk about publishing layoffs, surprising Canadian bestseller stats, and a viral article questioning the state of publishing. They break down how auctions actually work, what “private” submissions really mean, and how writers can navigate paid resources without getting burned. Plus: vacation reads, TV obsessions, and why authors love signed books!Note: CeCe Lyra is a literary agent at Wendy Sherman Associates. If you’d like to query CeCe,

en-US

403 results

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