The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

• Leaning into Illustrator Notes & CeCe Not Minding a But, But

  In 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. Literary Agency, but their work on this podcast is not affiliated with the agency, and the views expressed by Carly and CeCe on this podcast are solely that of them as podcast co-hosts and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, policies, or position of P.S. Literary Agency.Upcoming in-person event you won't want to miss! A 'Most Puzzling Murder' Book Launch!Get your tickets at: https://blueheronbooks.com/item/FEHiE_RNkHAGOSqfUUiVXwFind us on our socials:Threads: https://www.threads.net/@the_shit_about_writing https://www.threads.net/@biancamarais_authorhttps://www.threads.net/@carlywatters https://www.threads.net/@cece_lyra_agentInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_shit_about_writing/https://www.instagram.com/biancamarais_author/ https://www.instagram.com/carlywatters/ https://www.instagram.com/cece_lyra_agent/Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/TSNOTYAWWebsites: www.theshitaboutwriting.com, www.biancamarais.com, www.carlywatters.com and www.cecilialyra.comBookshop.org affiliate page: https://bookshop.org/shop/theshitnoonetellsyouaboutwritingTo submit a question for the show, go to https://www.theshitaboutwriting.com/submit-a-question.htmlTo subscribe to our Substack newsletter, go to https://theshitaboutwriting.substack.com/aboutAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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  41:45
• Nuggets of Wisdom from Carley Fortune and Sue Hincenbergs

  In 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 shares her inspiring journey from aspiring writer to published author of 'The Retirement Plan.' She discusses the challenges she faced in her writing career, the evolution of her craft, and the importance of community and support in the writing process. With insights gained from Bianca's podcast, Sue highlights the significance of learning from others, the strategic approach to querying agents, and the joy of crafting humor and dialogue in her work. The discussion culminates in a celebration of literary citizenship and the excitement surrounding Sue's debut novel.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 CeCe on this podcast are solely that of them as podcast co-hosts and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, policies, or position of P.S. Literary Agency.Upcoming in person event you won't want to miss! A 'Most Puzzling Murder' Book Launch!Get your tickets at: https://blueheronbooks.com/item/FEHiE_RNkHAGOSqfUUiVXwTo sign up for Circling the Building of Your Work, go to: https://www.biancamarais.com/courses-and-recordings.htmlFind us on our socials:Threads: https://www.threads.net/@the_shit_about_writing https://www.threads.net/@biancamarais_authorhttps://www.threads.net/@carlywatters https://www.threads.net/@cece_lyra_agentInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_shit_about_writing/https://www.instagram.com/biancamarais_author/ https://www.instagram.com/carlywatters/ https://www.instagram.com/cece_lyra_agent/Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/TSNOTYAWWebsites: www.theshitaboutwriting.com, www.biancamarais.com, www.carlywatters.com and www.cecilialyra.comBookshop.org affiliate page: https://bookshop.org/shop/theshitnoonetellsyouaboutwritingTo submit a question for the show, go to https://www.theshitaboutwriting.com/submit-a-question.htmlTo subscribe to our Substack newsletter, go to https://theshitaboutwriting.substack.com/aboutAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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  55:41
• The Problem with the Blank Canvas Protagonist

  In 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.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 CeCe on this podcast are solely that of them as podcast co-hosts and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, policies, or position of P.S. Literary Agency.Upcoming in-person event you won't want to miss! A 'Most Puzzling Murder' Book Launch!Get your tickets at: https://blueheronbooks.com/item/FEHiE_RNkHAGOSqfUUiVXwFind us on our socials:Threads: https://www.threads.net/@the_shit_about_writing https://www.threads.net/@biancamarais_authorhttps://www.threads.net/@carlywatters https://www.threads.net/@cece_lyra_agentInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_shit_about_writing/https://www.instagram.com/biancamarais_author/ https://www.instagram.com/carlywatters/ https://www.instagram.com/cece_lyra_agent/Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/TSNOTYAWWebsites: www.theshitaboutwriting.com, www.biancamarais.com, www.carlywatters.com and www.cecilialyra.comBookshop.org affiliate page: https://bookshop.org/shop/theshitnoonetellsyouaboutwritingTo submit a question for the show, go to https://www.theshitaboutwriting.com/submit-a-question.htmlFor more information and to sign up for the Beta Reader Match Up, go to https://www.biancamarais.com/beta-reader-match-up.htmlTo subscribe to our Substack newsletter, go to https://theshitaboutwriting.substack.com/aboutAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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  44:13
• April Bonus Episode

  In 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 questions.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 CeCe on this podcast are solely that of them as podcast co-hosts and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, policies, or position of P.S. Literary Agency.Find us on our socials:Upcoming in person event you won't want to miss! A 'Most Puzzling Murder' Book Launch!Get your tickets at: https://blueheronbooks.com/item/FEHiE_RNkHAGOSqfUUiVXwTo sign up for the Beta Reader Match Up, go to https://www.biancamarais.com/beta-reader-match-up.htmlTo sign up for Circling the Building of Your Work, go to: https://www.biancamarais.com/courses-and-recordings.htmlThreads: https://www.threads.net/@the_shit_about_writing https://www.threads.net/@biancamarais_authorhttps://www.threads.net/@carlywatters https://www.threads.net/@cece_lyra_agentInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_shit_about_writing/https://www.instagram.com/biancamarais_author/ https://www.instagram.com/carlywatters/ https://www.instagram.com/cece_lyra_agent/Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/TSNOTYAWWebsites: www.theshitaboutwriting.com, www.biancamarais.com, www.carlywatters.com and www.cecilialyra.comBookshop.org affiliate page: https://bookshop.org/shop/theshitnoonetellsyouaboutwritingTo submit a question for the show, go to https://www.theshitaboutwriting.com/submit-a-question.htmlTo subscribe to our Substack newsletter, go to https://theshitaboutwriting.substack.com/aboutAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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  49:01
• An Ingenious Query Hack

  In 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.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 CeCe on this podcast are solely that of them as podcast co-hosts and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, policies, or position of P.S. Literary Agency.Upcoming in-person event you won't want to miss! A 'Most Puzzling Murder' Book Launch!Get your tickets at: https://blueheronbooks.com/item/FEHiE_RNkHAGOSqfUUiVXwTo sign up for the Beta Reader Match Up, go to https://www.biancamarais.com/beta-reader-match-up.htmlTo sign up for Circling the Building of Your Work, go to: https://www.biancamarais.com/courses-and-recordings.htmlFind us on our socials:Threads: https://www.threads.net/@the_shit_about_writinghttps://www.threads.net/@biancamarais_authorhttps://www.threads.net/@carlywatters https://www.threads.net/@cece_lyra_agentInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_shit_about_writing/https://www.instagram.com/biancamarais_author/ https://www.instagram.com/carlywatters/ https://www.instagram.com/cece_lyra_agent/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TSNOTYAWWebsites: www.theshitaboutwriting.com, www.biancamarais.com, www.carlywatters.com and www.cecilialyra.comBookshop.org affiliatepage: https://bookshop.org/shop/theshitnoonetellsyouaboutwritingTo sign up for our Substack newsletter, head to https://theshitaboutwriting.substack.com/Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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  30:57

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