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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

43:37

Shooting the Shit About Winning Author Mindsets and...

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2025/11/03

They are back! CeCe’s in Ottawa, Carly’s in LA — but the tea is still hot! They break down Q3 book sales (romance + thrillers took a hit), talk timing for submissions, decode what agent feedback really means, and dive into the “good news comes fast” myth. Plus: AI scam alerts and why rejection is just part of the game.Note: CeCe Lyra is a literary agent at Wendy Sherman Associates. If you’d like to query CeCe, please refer to the submission guidelines at www.wsherman.com. Carly Watters is a literary

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48:31

When Reality TV Meets Cli-Fi: Hooks, Depth, and the...

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2025/10/30

In this episode of Books with Hooks, Carly and CeCe hold down the fort while Bianca is away—and things get delightfully silly. The duo dig into two very different query letters.First up, a reality-TV-inspired contemporary romance about a bisexual woman who falls for siblings on a dating show. Carly and CeCe discuss the strength of the hook, the pitfalls of coincidences, and why adding depth and critique of celebrity culture can make these stories stand out. Lastly a cli-fi mystery set in the

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27:06

October Bonus Episode

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2025/10/27

In this month’s bonus episode, award-winning author Amber McBride joins Bianca to talk about ‘The Leaving Room’ — a YA novel in verse that unfolds entirely in the space between life and death. Amber opens up about losing and reclaiming her voice, the power of poetry to hold emotion, and what it means to write from the liminal spaces of grief and love. A mesmerizing conversation about craft, courage, and creating beauty out of silence.Tune in to this special October bonus episode — and let ‘The

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27:21

For The Love of Writing

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2025/10/23

This week on the podcast (listen to it here or watch it on YouTube!), Bianca interviews Hannah Mary McKinnon about her latest thriller, A Killer Motive. They delve into the intricacies of character development, the importance of collaboration in the writing process, and the challenges authors face in the ever-evolving landscape of publishing. Hannah shares her unique approach to creating realistic characters through detailed questionnaires, and discusses the emotional journey of writing and

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28:25

Shooting the Shit: About publishing’s ghosting...

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2025/10/20

It’s Fall in publishing — which means colds, caffeine, and chaos. Carly and CeCe catch up after a whirlwind few weeks to unpack two hot topics from listener DMs: what to do if your agent ghosts you, and what editors really mean when they say “sales aren’t good.” They also get into whether publishing is truly a “retail business,” how to handle AALA membership questions, and whether pitch contests are still worth it.Get comfy and join them for some honest, funny, and unfiltered talk about the messy,

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44:38

Balancing Emotional Depth and Action In Your Story

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2025/10/16

In this episode of Books with Hooks, author Judith Jaeger puts her query letter for ‘The Family We Choose’ in the spotlight. Carly and CeCe dig into what makes a query stand out—clear plot points, layered characters, and that all-important balance between heart and momentum.They offer practical feedback on sharpening present-day stakes and tightening narrative structure, before turning to Judith’s opening pages. With plenty of praise for her writing voice, they also share tips to boost reader

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34:25

Shooting the Shit: About digital first book deals and...

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2025/10/13

In this episode, Carly and CeCe spill all on their latest conference adventures, dive into the fast-changing world of digital-first publishing, and tackle the tricky art of managing client expectations. They get real about ethics in the industry, read some juicy listener DMs, and share why communication is everything in this competitive publishing game.Note: CeCe Lyra is a literary agent at Wendy Sherman Associates. If you’d like to query CeCe, please refer to the submission guidelines at

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71:39

Insights from Marjan Kamali and Kirsten Miller

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2025/10/09

Today’s author interview episode features two interviews! The first is with Kirsten Miller, author of The Women of Wild Hill, and the second is with Marjan Kamali, the NYT bestselling author of The Lion Women of Tehran. First up, Bianca chats with Kirsten as they delve into how fury can fuel your writing, ensuring that you keep going when staring down the blank page becomes tough. They discuss the evolution of a novel, and how its structure changes as the author begins to understand their story

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46:05

Shooting the Shit About External Publicity,...

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2025/10/06

They’re back! Carly and CeCe are talking about all things publishing — the chaos, the business, and the fun.This week they dive into:When (and why) to hire a publicistWhat it really takes to make it as an agentHow Ali Hazelwood & Adriana Herrera raised $1M on Kickstarter Lauren Martin’s viral Porsche essay and women owning their power Why publishing is gambling — and why that’s not newsPlus, the latest newsletter gems on character building, critique, and passion projects.Mentioned: The Walrus,

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38:03

Untangling Complex Queries: Writing with Clarity...

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2025/10/02

In this episode of Books with Hooks, Carly and CeCe break down a speculative query that juggles multiple timelines and POVs. They explore the craft challenges of pitching complex narratives, from maintaining clarity to grounding readers in emotional depth. The discussion digs into how to use (or avoid) prologues, strategies for balancing ambition with accessibility, and why organization on the page—and in your query—is key to drawing agents in. With detailed feedback on both the query and opening

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66:19

September Bonus Episode

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2025/09/29

It’s bonus episode time! We’re thrilled to welcome back Emilie Sommer for her popular comps segment. But first, Bianca sits down with bestselling author Hank Phillippi Ryan to talk about her latest thriller, ‘All This Could Be Yours’. They dive into the realities of book tours, the challenges writers face in the spotlight, and the layered psychology behind her characters. Hank also shares the inspiration driving her story, her creative process, and how she balances vulnerability with the high

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32:05

Plausibility: Serendipity and Kismet vs. Coincidence

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2025/09/25

Bestselling author Bianca Marais sits down with New York Times bestselling author of multiple novels, Marissa Stapley (writing as Julia McKay) to unwrap the magic behind her latest novel, ‘Christmas at the Ranch.’ From swoony romance and second chances to the inspiration that fueled the story, Marissa pulls back the curtain on her writing process. They dive into everything from the real-life threads woven into her characters, to the challenges of switching genres, to why physicality and authenticity

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29:22

Shooting the Shit Live From New York!

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing ·

2025/09/22

Fresh off the People of Publishing Conference in NYC, Carly and CeCe spill all the tea! From why newsletters are hotter than ever, to the high-stakes drama of book auctions, to the buzz around the creator economy—they’ve got stories, laughs, and insider tips you won’t want to miss. Networking, publishing, and plenty of laughs: this episode has it all.Note: Cece Lyra is a literary agent at Wendy Sherman Associates. If you’d like to query CeCe, please refer to the submission guidelines at

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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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