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The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
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... more

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Episodes

All the Things You Might Not Expect on Your Author Bingo Card

In today’s episode, Bianca interviews KJ Dell’Antonia, author of The Chicken Sisters and Playing the Witch Card. They discuss KJ's... more

21 Nov 2024 · 28 minutes
The Significance of Pacing in Storytelling

In today’s Books with Hooks segment, hosts Bianca, Carly and CeCe analyze a literary fiction query and a historical fiction... more

14 Nov 2024 · 30 minutes
The Black List: The Future of Storytelling

In today’s episode, Carly and CeCe interview Franklin Leonard and Randy Winston, founders of The Blacklist, a platform designed to... more

07 Nov 2024 · 39 minutes
Leveraging Your Characters’ Emotional Complexity

Today Bianca, Carly, and CeCe critique a coming-of-age submission set in the 80s, as well as a speculative literary fiction... more

31 Oct 2024 · 32 minutes
October Comp Title Bonus Episode

Join Bianca in our October bonus episode as your favourite book person, Emilie Sommer from East City Book Shop, answers... more

28 Oct 2024 · 25 minutes
Dramatizing a Scene so That It Comes to Life on the Page

Today Bianca interviews NYT bestselling nature writer, Leigh Ann Henion. They discuss Leigh Ann's latest work, Night Magic: Adventures Among... more

24 Oct 2024 · 30 minutes
Ensuring Your Plot and Climax Match Your Genre

Today, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe critique a speculative fiction query and a literary fiction one. They discuss avoiding confusion in... more

17 Oct 2024 · 31 minutes
How Character Relationships Can Reveal Vulnerability and Create High Stakes

In today’s episode, Bianca interviews the Hugo-Award winning and NYT bestselling sci-fi and fantasy author, Alix E. Harrow. They discuss... more

10 Oct 2024 · 30 minutes
Balancing Scene Work and Interiority

Today, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe critique a family saga submission and a psychological thriller.  They discuss whether there's a need... more

03 Oct 2024 · 38 minutes
September Comp Titles Segment

In today's second Bonus Episode of the month, Emilie Sommer from East City Bookshop answers all your burning comp title... more

02 Oct 2024 · 39 minutes
Bumper September Bonus Episode

In this month’s bonus episode, Bianca interviews Reese's book pick and best-selling author Marissa Stapley, to discuss her latest, The... more

30 Sep 2024 · 1 hour, 33 minutes
Insights from NYT bestselling authors, Liane Moriarty and Hannah Nicole Maehrer

In today’s episode, we have two epic author interviews!The first is with NYT best-selling romance-fantasy author, Hannah Nicole Maehrer, and... more

26 Sep 2024 · 1 hour, 22 minutes
Digging Deep to Find Your Characters’ Messy Emotions

Today, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe discuss a humorous contemporary fiction query and an upmarket book club query. They discuss clearly... more

19 Sep 2024 · 34 minutes
Problem-Solving Your Way Through a Story

In today’s author interview, Bianca interviews Amanda Peters, author of Waiting for the Long Night Moon, which is a collection... more

12 Sep 2024 · 31 minutes
Making Something Unexpected Happen in Your Opening Pages

In today’s Book with Hooks episode, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe critique an upmarket women's fiction query and a dark romance... more

05 Sep 2024 · 41 minutes
Coco Mellors' Incredible Insights on Writing

In today's Books with Hooks, we’re throwing it back to an early backlist segment.After which Bianca interviews bestselling author, Coco... more

29 Aug 2024 · 1 hour, 12 minutes
August Bonus: Insights from Fiona Barton and Jean Meltzer

In this month’s bonus episode, Bianca interviews writer, journalist, and author Fiona Barton. They discuss the resounding success of Fiona's... more

26 Aug 2024 · 59 minutes
Writing 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... more

22 Aug 2024 · 1 hour, 19 minutes
The Idea of Writing the Book That Doesn’t Exist

In today's Books with Hooks, we’re throwing it back to an early backlist segment.After which, CeCe interviews Claire Jiménez, assistant... more

15 Aug 2024 · 1 hour, 19 minutes
Why You Shouldn’t Make Every Change Your Beta Readers Suggest

In today's Books with Hooks, we’re throwing it back to an early backlist segment.After which, Bianca interviews MK Pagano, author... more

08 Aug 2024 · 1 hour, 7 minutes
Working With an Agent on Edits Ahead of Submission

In today's Books with Hooks, we’re throwing it back to an early backlist segment.After which, CeCe speaks with her very... more

01 Aug 2024 · 1 hour, 16 minutes
From Self-Publishing to Traditional Publishing: You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know

In this month’s bonus episode, Bianca interviews Kern Carter, author of And Then There Was Us.  They discuss the different... more

29 Jul 2024 · 34 minutes
Giving Characters Changing Wants and Needs to Fulfill Their Character Arcs

In today's Books with Hooks, we’re throwing it back to an early backlist segment.After which, Bianca interviews creative writing professor,... more

25 Jul 2024 · 1 hour, 27 minutes
Giving Yourself Permission to Change and Grow as a Writer

In today's Books with Hooks, we’re throwing it back to an early backlist segment.After which, CeCe interviews Parini Shroff, lawyer... more

18 Jul 2024 · 1 hour, 15 minutes
Writing Issue-Driven YA Fiction & Considering Alternate Routes to Publication

In today's Books with Hooks, we’re throwing it back to an early backlist segment.After which, Bianca interviews author, editor, head... more

11 Jul 2024 · 1 hour, 7 minutes
The Joy of Writing Without Following a Synopsis

In today's Books with Hooks, we’re throwing it back to an early backlist segment.After which, Carly interviews her very own... more

04 Jul 2024 · 1 hour, 8 minutes
How to Tackle Writing an Omniscient POV

In today's Books with Hooks, Bianca, CeCe, and Carly are joined by Jennifer to discuss her thriller submission. They chat... more

27 Jun 2024 · 1 hour, 11 minutes
What 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... more

24 Jun 2024 · 28 minutes
How Interiority Makes a Character Come Alive

In today's Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe critique a rom-com and a YA submission. They discuss the importance... more

20 Jun 2024 · 1 hour, 12 minutes
An Inspiring Journey to Publication

In today's Books with Hooks, Bianca, CeCe, and Carly critique two upmarket submissions, one of which is in the gothic... more

13 Jun 2024 · 1 hour, 5 minutes
Writing That Evokes All the Feels

In today's Books with Hooks, Bianca, CeCe, and Carly are joined by guest literary agent, Mary C. Moore. They critique... more

06 Jun 2024 · 1 hour, 4 minutes
Choosing How to Frame Certain Aspects of Your Work

In today's Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe are joined by listener, Kelly Fuller, as they critique her book... more

30 May 2024 · 1 hour, 11 minutes
May Bonus Episode

In this month’s bonus episode, Bianca chats with Courtney Preiss to discuss her debut novel, Welcome Home, Caroline Kline. They... more

27 May 2024 · 1 hour, 25 minutes
A Debut Experience All Authors Dream Of

In today's Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe critique a YA submission and a literary coming-of-age horror. They discuss... more

23 May 2024 · 57 minutes
Insights from Publishing Phenomenon, Veronica Roth

In today's Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe critique a literary fiction query and a high concept YA fantasy... more

16 May 2024 · 53 minutes
Rewriting Instead of Giving Up

In today's Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe are joined by Paige to discuss her query for her action-adventure... more

09 May 2024 · 1 hour, 9 minutes
Metaphor and Meaning in Memoir

In today's Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe are joined by two guests, author Rachel Kapelke-Dale and her agent,... more

02 May 2024 · 1 hour, 22 minutes
April Bonus Episode: Writing Without a Pricetag

In this month’s bonus episode, Bianca interviews poet, novelist, and Chair of the Amherst Writers (AWA), Sue Reynolds. They discuss... more

29 Apr 2024 · 1 hour, 11 minutes
Caroline Leavitt’s Insights and Encouragement

In today’s Book with Hooks, Carly and CeCe critique two listener queries, a resubmission and a YA fantasy. They discuss... more

25 Apr 2024 · 1 hour, 4 minutes
Figuring Out What Genre You Should Be Writing In

In today's Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe critique a children's picture book and a literary fiction query. They... more

18 Apr 2024 · 56 minutes
Choosing the Best POVs for a Multi-POV Novel

In today's Books with Hooks, Carly and CeCe are joined by guest agent, Jo Ramsay, to critique two queries. They... more

11 Apr 2024 · 1 hour,
Insights from Mary Kubica

In today's Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly and CeCe discuss choosing a unique title for your work; having a strong... more

04 Apr 2024 · 1 hour, 4 minutes
Defining Book Club Fiction

In today's Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe discuss keeping your author bio paragraph concise; the need for causality... more

28 Mar 2024 · 1 hour, 1 minute
March Bonus Episode

In this month’s bonus episode, Bianca interviews game designer, curator, and writer, Holly Gramazio to discuss her debut novel, The... more

25 Mar 2024 · 47 minutes
How Research Should Inform a Novel Without Leaving Too Many Fingerprints

In today's Books with Hooks, Carly, CeCe, and Bianca are joined by Ron, to discuss his query submission. They chat... more

21 Mar 2024 · 1 hour, 6 minutes
Balancing Curiosity Seeds and Tension Without Making the Reader Feel Cheated

In today's Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe  discuss the need for external pressure in your major dramatic question;... more

14 Mar 2024 · 1 hour, 1 minute
Insights from Acquisitions Editors & Working on Author Collaborations

In today's Books with Hooks segment, Carly, CeCe, and Bianca are joined by two acquisitions editors at Atria Books, Elizabeth... more

07 Mar 2024 · 1 hour, 10 minutes
Being Intentional With Your Novel's Timeline

In today's Books with Hooks segment, Bianca, Carly and CeCe discuss the importance of specifying between awards for published and... more

29 Feb 2024 · 1 hour, 1 minute
Bumper February Bonus Episode

In today's Bumper February Bonus Episode, Bianca kicks it off by interviewing interviews tech anthropologist and author, Nikki Payne. They... more

26 Feb 2024 · 2 hours, 15 minutes
How Some Stories Need You to Become a Better Writer Before Telling Them

In today's Books with Hooks segment, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe are joined by emerging author, Sarah. They discuss ways to... more

22 Feb 2024 · 1 hour, 2 minutes
Torturing Your Characters in the Second Act

In today's Books with Hooks, Bianca, CeCe, and Carly discuss small tweaks for an overall 'fantastic' query; a good example... more

15 Feb 2024 · 1 hour, 7 minutes
How Writing Contests Can Help Launch Your Career

In today's Books with Hooks, Bianca, CeCe, and Carly critique an upmarket/southern-gothic query and a book club romance. They discuss... more

08 Feb 2024 · 57 minutes
Insights from NYT Bestselling Authors, Ali Hazelwood and Kiley Reid

In today's Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe discuss the need for specificity with regard to plot details when... more

01 Feb 2024 · 1 hour, 33 minutes
January Bonus Episode

In today's January Bonus Episode, Bianca interviews Jami Attenberg, author of 1000 Words: A Writer's Guide to Staying Creative, Focused,... more

29 Jan 2024 · 1 hour, 35 minutes
How the Close Third Person POV Can Get You Closer Than First Person

In today's Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe are joined by guest listener, Erica. They discuss the need to... more

25 Jan 2024 · 1 hour, 16 minutes
The Dos and Don’ts When Writing For Children

In today's Books with Hooks, CeCe and Carly discuss what agents look for with a resubmission; the issue with starting... more

18 Jan 2024 · 1 hour, 5 minutes
Creating intimacy With Your Reader

In today's Books with Hooks, Carly and CeCe discuss the importance of eliminating any confusion in your query; the distinction... more

11 Jan 2024 · 1 hour, 6 minutes
Working with a Writing Coach

In today's Books with Hooks, Carly and CeCe are joined by guest Alicia Clancy, executive editor at Lake Union Publishing.... more

04 Jan 2024 · 1 hour, 14 minutes
Finding Your Voice

In today's Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe discuss an example of an excellent hook and query letter in... more

28 Dec 2023 · 1 hour, 11 minutes
December Bonus Episode

In today's December Bonus Episode, Bianca interviews Sarah Lariviere, YA author of The Bad Kid, Time Travel for Love and... more

25 Dec 2023 · 1 hour, 2 minutes
What to do When a Scene is Falling Flat

In today's Books with Hooks, CeCe, Carly, and Bianca are joined by Harvey to discuss his submission. They chat about... more

21 Dec 2023 · 1 hour, 9 minutes
Writing with Respect and Authenticity

In today's Books with Hooks, Carly, CeCe, and Bianca discuss a historical mystery and a women's fiction query. They chat... more

14 Dec 2023 · 1 hour, 14 minutes
How Writing Interiority is Like Squeezing an Orange

In today's Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe are joined by guest, Ronnie Alvarado, a senior editor at Simon... more

07 Dec 2023 · 1 hour, 3 minutes
Writing Retellings and Reimaginings

In today's Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly and CeCe critique two listener query letters, one fantasy and one middle-grade fiction.... more

30 Nov 2023 · 57 minutes
Bumper November Bonus Episode

In today's Bumper November Bonus Episode, Emilie Sommer of East City Bookshop kicks us off with suggested comp titles. After which,... more

27 Nov 2023 · 2 hours, 6 minutes
In Praise of the Essay

In today's Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe are joined by Nicole to discuss her query submission. They discuss... more

23 Nov 2023 · 1 hour, 1 minute
Writing Morally Ambiguous Characters

In today's Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly and CeCe critique two query letters. They discuss a good example of the... more

16 Nov 2023 · 1 hour, 4 minutes
Encouragement from NYT Bestselling Author, Jean Kwok

In today's Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly and CeCe are joined by guest agent, Dana Murphy. The four discuss the... more

09 Nov 2023 · 1 hour, 10 minutes
Adapting a Novel into a Screenplay

In today's Books with Hooks, Carly and CeCe critique two query letters. During which, they discuss how specificity can make... more

02 Nov 2023 · 50 minutes
Bumper October Bonus Episode

In today's bumper October Bonus Episode, Emilie Sommer of East City Bookshop kicks us off with suggested comp titles.After which,... more

30 Oct 2023 · 2 hours, 4 minutes
Bumper October Bonus Episode

In today's bumper October Bonus Episode, Emilie Sommer of East City Bookshop kicks us off with suggested comp titles.After which,... more

30 Oct 2023 · 2 hours, 4 minutes
Trusting in Yourself and the Process

On today's Books with Hooks, Carly and CeCe are joined by podcast listener, Johnny Hobson. While reviewing his query letter,... more

26 Oct 2023 · 55 minutes
Making Mindful Choices Regarding Characterization

In today's Books with Hooks, Carly and CeCe critique three query letters. During the segment, they discuss the need for... more

19 Oct 2023 · 59 minutes
Writing an Opening Chapter That Ticks All the Boxes

In today’s Books with Hooks, Carly and CeCe critique two submissions, discussing how to include enough of a hook in a query without spoiling the... more

12 Oct 2023 · 51 minutes
Getting Published Without an Agent

In today's Books with Hooks, Carly and CeCe critique three query letters during which they discuss the 'hook, book, cook'... more

05 Oct 2023 · 59 minutes
Choosing an A Plot

In today's Books with Hooks, Carly and CeCe are joined by listener, Jessica, while they critique and discuss her query... more

28 Sep 2023 · 1 hour, 3 minutes
September Bonus Episode

In today's bumper September Bonus Episode, Emilie Sommer of East City Bookshop kicks us off with suggested comp titles.After which,... more

25 Sep 2023 · 1 hour, 22 minutes
The Method Writing Technique

In today’s Books with Hooks, Carly and CeCe critique three submissions, in the process discussing intentionality with regards to timelines; how novels with certain types of... more

21 Sep 2023 · 1 hour, 4 minutes
The Hero's Journey in Memoir

In today's episode, Carly and CeCe are joined by Maya Golden, author of The Return Trip. During the episode, they... more

14 Sep 2023 · 52 minutes
The Layering Method of Writing

In today’s Books with Hooks, Carly and CeCe critique three submissions and cover topics like having escalating plot in the plot paragraphs; having only one... more

07 Sep 2023 · 51 minutes
How POV Choice Lends Itself to Emotionality

In today's episode, Carly and CeCe are joined by Kelly S. Thompson, author of the memoir Still, I Cannot Save... more

31 Aug 2023 · 56 minutes
August Bonus with Emma Donoghue and Lisa Jewell, plus Q & A and Comp Title Segments

In today's bumper August Episode, we have two amazing author interviews as well as a Q & A and Comp... more

28 Aug 2023 · 2 hours, 10 minutes
Using Peripheral Characters Effectively

In today’s episode, Fiona Davis joins Bianca, Carly, and CeCe to critique Books with Hooks submissions while also talking about her latest novel, The Spectacular. During the episode,... more

24 Aug 2023 · 51 minutes
The Importance of Plausibility in Storytelling

Today's episode is sponsored by June's Journey. Find the link to the glamorous hidden object game here: https://www.wooga.com/games/junes-journeyToday, Bianca, Carly, and... more

17 Aug 2023 · 52 minutes
Striking the Right Tone

Today's episode is sponsored by June's Journey. Find the link to the glamorous hidden object game here: https://www.wooga.com/games/junes-journeyIn today's episode,... more

10 Aug 2023 · 42 minutes
Writing Pages That Will Make You Competitive in the Marketplace

In today’s episode, Byron Lane joins Bianca, Carly, and CeCe to critique Books with Hooks submissions while also talking about Big Gay Wedding. During the episode, they discuss... more

03 Aug 2023 · 1 hour, 2 minutes
July Bonus Episode With Ann Patchett, Booktalk, etc. & Ramona Ausubel

In today's bumper Bonus July Episode, we have three amazing interviews!Bianca first chats with bestselling and award-winning author, Ann Patchett,... more

31 Jul 2023 · 1 hour, 43 minutes
How to Elevate Your Descriptions

Today's episode is sponsored by Riverside.fm. Using the promo code TSNOTYAW offers you a 15% discount on all individual plans!... more

27 Jul 2023 · 1 hour, 6 minutes
When Breaking the Rules Works

This episode is sponsored by HelloFresh. Go to www.hellofresh.com/tsnotyaw50 and use the code tsnotyaw50 for 50% off plus free shipping!In... more

20 Jul 2023 · 50 minutes
The Short Story vs The Novel

Today's episode is sponsored by Riverside.fm. Using the promo code TSNOTYAW offers you a 15% discount on all individual plans!... more

13 Jul 2023 · 53 minutes
The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
July Bonus Episode With Ann Patchett, Booktalk, etc. & Ramona Ausubel
The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
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Listen now on

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Podcast Addict
Pocket Casts
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Description

In today's bumper Bonus July Episode, we have three amazing interviews!Bianca first chats with bestselling and award-winning author, Ann Patchett, about her... more