Bianca Marais, Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

Arts EN ↓ 429 episodes

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 opening pages in their Books with Hooks segment. Expect good advice, honest insights, and a few laughs along the way...

Author

Bianca Marais, Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra

Episodes

Using Peripheral Characters Effectively 24.08.2023 51:19

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, they discuss achieving NYT Bestselling status several times over; having messy story setups and high stakes; interiority and emotionality; ensuring there are obstacles in the main character’s way right from th...

The Importance of Plausibility in Storytelling 17.08.2023 52:43

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-journey Today, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe chat with Jessica Hamilton , author of Don’t You Dare , while also critiquing listeners' query letters. They discuss Jessica's experience with going on submission and publishing during the start of Covid; e...

Striking the Right Tone 10.08.2023 42:15

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-journey In today's episode, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe critique query letters and chat with Lauren JA Bear , author of Medusa’s Sisters . During the show, they discuss being 'on trend'; writing counter-narratives; being inspired by mythology; L...

Writing Pages That Will Make You Competitive in the Marketplace 03.08.2023 1:02:57

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 a character’s why’s; being too on the nose/predictable with plot points; the use of a foreign language; the element of surprise; weaving humour into the story; prologues that have got to go; moving between differen...

July Bonus Episode With Ann Patchett, Booktalk, etc. & Ramona Ausubel 31.07.2023 1:43:13

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 latest novel, Tom Lake . During the show, the two discuss how and why Ann wrote past and present as 'bleeding into one narrative' in her latest novel; when to show vs when to tell backstory; testing different ways of beginning a...

How to Elevate Your Descriptions 27.07.2023 1:06:06

Today's episode is sponsored by Riverside.fm. Using the promo code TSNOTYAW offers you a 15% discount on all individual plans! Click here for more info! In today's episode, author and agent Jennifer Herrera joins Bianca, Carly, and CeCe to critique Books with Hooks submissions, and to discuss Jennifer's debut novel, The Hunter . In the episode, they discuss the challenges of starting y...

When Breaking the Rules Works 20.07.2023 50:40

This episode is sponsored by HelloFresh. Go to www.hellofresh.com/tsnotyaw50 and use the code tsnotyaw50 for 50% off plus free shipping! In today’s episode, Kirthana Ramisetti joins Bianca, Carly, and CeCe to critique Books with Hooks submissions, while also talking about her latest novel, Advika and the Hollywood Wives . During the episode, they discuss the importance of the 'why'...

The Short Story vs The Novel 13.07.2023 53:13

Today's episode is sponsored by Riverside.fm. Using the promo code TSNOTYAW offers you a 15% discount on all individual plans! Click here for more info! In today’s episode, M. Evelina Galang joins Bianca, Carly, and CeCe to critique Books with Hooks submissions while also talking about her short story collection, When the Hibiscus Falls . During the episode, they discuss how to connect...

Referencing the Pandemic in Your WIP 06.07.2023 1:12:56

Today's episode is sponsored by Riverside.fm. Using the promo code TSNOTYAW offers you a 15% discount on all individual plans! Click here for more info! In today's episode, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe kick it back old school using the old classic 'Books with Hooks' format during which they discuss leaning into specificity in query letters; stating where you live when writing a query; n...

Setting Up Your Social Media Platform 29.06.2023 48:17

Today's episode is sponsored by Riverside.fm. Using the promo code TSNOTYAW offers you a 15% discount on all individual plans! Click here for more info! In today’s episode, Sara DiVello joins Bianca, Carly, and CeCe to critique Books with Hooks submissions while also talking about her upcoming novel, Broadway Butterfly . During the episode, they discuss why Sara wanted to include certai...

June Bonus Episode with Julie Carrick Dalton and Kerryn Mayne 26.06.2023 51:45

Today's episode is sponsored by Riverside.fm. Using the promo code TSNOTYAW offers you a 15% discount on all individual plans! Click here for more info! In today's Bonus Episode , we have two amazing author interviews! Bianca chats with returning guest Julie Carrick Dalton , author of The Last Beekeeper , about dual timelines vs flashbacks; POV strategy; writing from a place of rage vs a...

How to Make Readers Connect With Your Characters 22.06.2023 48:36

Today's episode is sponsored by HelloFresh. Go to www.hellofrresh.com/tsnotyaw16 and use the code tsnotyaw16 for 16 free meals plus free shipping! In today’s episode, Bryn Turnbull joins Bianca, Carly, and CeCe to critique Books with Hooks submissions while also talking about The Paris Deception . During the episode, they discuss being unlucky in publishing; story inspiration; not havi...

When to Begin With ‘The Big Terrible Thing’ 15.06.2023 52:04

Today's episode is sponsored by Riverside.fm. Using the promo code TSNOTYAW offers you a 15% discount on all individual plans! Click here for more info! In today’s episode, Hazel Gaynor joins Bianca, Carly, and CeCe to critique Books with Hooks submissions while also talking about The Last Lifeboat . During the episode, they discuss different book titles in international locations; the or...

Doing Everything Wrong in Your First Draft 08.06.2023 48:28

Today's episode is sponsored by Riverside.fm. Using the promo code TSNOTYAW offers you a 15% discount on all individual plans! Click here for more info! In today’s episode, Laura Barrow , joins Bianca, Carly and CeCe to critique Books with Hooks submissions while also talking about Laura's debut novel, Call the Canaries Home . During the episode, they discuss doing the wrong things in...

Creating Conflict For Your Characters 01.06.2023 46:06

Today's episode is sponsored by Riverside.fm. Using the promo code TSNOTYAW offers you a 15% discount on all individual plans! Click here for more info! In today’s episode, we’re rolling out a new format wherein our guest authors will help Bianca , Carly , and CeCe critique submissions. We’re starting with Carly’s client, Mai Nguyen , author of Sunshine Nails . In this episode, we discuss gr...

May Bonus Episode: All the Romance & We Answer Your Questions & Give You Comps 29.05.2023 2:17:51

Today's episode is sponsored by HelloFresh. Go to HelloFresh dot com slash tsnotyaw16 and use code tsnotyaw16 for 16 free meals plus free shipping! In today's bumper Bonus Episode , we chat with two internationally bestselling authors in the romance genre before taking your questions and giving you comp titles. CeCe kicks us off by interviewing Carley Fortune , author of Meet Me at the Lak...

Writing Dream Sequences That Work 25.05.2023 1:04:21

Today's episode is sponsored by HelloFresh. Go to HelloFresh dot com slash tsnotyaw16 and use code tsnotyaw16 for 16 free meals plus free shipping! In today’s Books With Hooks segment, Carly and CeCe each critique two submissions, discussing query length; having enough of a hook; writing style in a query letter; confusion vs curiosity in a query letter; explanatory vs curiosity seeds; putting...

When Not to Give Up! 18.05.2023 1:18:19

Today's episode is sponsored by Riverside.fm. Using the promo code TSNOTYAW offers you a 15% discount on all individual plans! Click here for more info! In today’s Books with Hooks , Carly and CeCe are joined by special guest, Traci Thomas from The Stacks podcast for a special segment focusing on non-fiction. During the segment, they discuss surprising readers in the first chapter; specificity...

Special Episode: Her Name is Coceka Lubobo 15.05.2023 14:32

In this short bonus episode, Bianca pays tribute to the bravery of Coceka Lubobo, a young woman who ended a serial killer's reign of terror in Orlando, Soweto. Special thanks go to: the immensely talented English actress, screenwriter and film producer, Katharine McEwan , for narrating this episode. the brilliant singer and songwriter, Daphne Willis , for composing the music for the piece. the...

Being Intentional With Your POV Characters 11.05.2023 1:20:32

This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/WRITING and get on your way to being your best self. In today’s Books with Hooks , Carly and CeCe each critique two submissions and cover topics like voice-y queries; using direct and specific terms in a query letter; selecting the right comps for the right reasons; having the query letter match what’s in the...

Insights from Caroline Kepnes, Author of the ‘You’ Series 04.05.2023 1:02:47

In today’s Books with Hooks segment, Bianca and guest agent, Rachel McMillan , discuss the importance of social media presence; tailoring your queries to specific agents; putting your best content forward; and word count expectations. After which, Bianca chats with Caroline Kepnes , author of the YOU series, about the charming façade of serial killers; how she created her own major in college; how...

How Setting Informs Plot and Character 27.04.2023 1:10:09

In today’s Books with Hooks segment, Carly and CeCe discuss descriptive specificity; comping to famous writers; sensitivity when describing mental health and mental illness; picking the correct comps; the importance of interiority to dual narrative experience; and choosing titles that work best for you. After which, Bianca chats with J Ryan Stradal , author of Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper...

Bumper Edition: April Bonus Episode 24.04.2023 2:36:04

In today's bumper Bonus Episode , in an incredibly emotional interview, Bianca talks with Carol Major , author of the memoir The Asparagus Wars , about the difference between cerebral writing and visceral writing; the reliability of memory; the importance of being intentional; allowing the reader to become a part of the story; creating meaning for the reader (not just the memoirist); why peopl...

Two Authors Review Your Work While Discussing Their Own 20.04.2023 1:18:20

This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/WRITING and get on your way to being your best self. In today’s Books with Hooks segment, Carly and Cece each critique two submissions, discussing pitching literary vs upmarket fiction; naming non-POV characters in a query letter; head-hopping, interiority and emotionality; mentioning sensitivity/authenticity...

Insights from Bonnie Garmus, Internationally Bestselling Author of Lessons in Chemistry 13.04.2023 57:08

In today’s Books With Hooks segment, Carly and Cece each critique two submissions, discussing tongue twister titles; putting a fresh spin on feminist issues; first lines that could be doing more; differentiating your own writing from original stories in retellings; ensuring important details are clarified in a query letter; making sure there’s a reason for having two heroes in a story; what happen...