The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
Episodes
Shooting the Shit About Your Response to Last Week's Episode and What Can Be Copyrighted
23 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Publishing isn’t broken… or is it?This week, Carly and CeCe unpack the explosive reaction to last episode—burnout, disillusionment, and the unco...
The Secret Behind Immersive Worlds
19 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode, bestselling author J.R. Ward—creator of the wildly popular ‘Black Dagger Brotherhood’ series—joins the show to talk ...
Shooting the Shit About High Brow vs. Low Brow and Editors Who Hate Their Jobs
16 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s Shooting the Shit, Carly and CeCe bounce from industry gossip to big philosophical questions about publishing. They announce an excit...
When Characters Collide with Conflict
12 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
Shooting the Shit About Sending The Elevator Back Down And Paying It Forward With Blurbs
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Carly and CeCe are covering a little bit of everything—from surprising publishing mishaps to the realities of author blurbs and the stran...
Insights from Lisa Unger
05 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Bestselling thriller author Lisa Unger joins the show to talk about longevity, creativity, and the craft behind writing dark, layered stories. From su...
Shooting the Shit About Memoirs That Sell and The Publicity Delusion
02 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Carly and CeCe are back! This week they chat about audiobook double-dipping stats, the behind-the-scenes “fires” agents constantly put out (covers...
Double Hooks & Power Imbalances
26 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Books with Hooks, Bianca, CeCe, and Carly workshop two anonymous submissions—a YA dystopian and an adult thriller—breaking down...
February Bonus Episode
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
February’s bonus episode is packed with oodles of amazing writing tips from incredible authors. In part one of this month’s bonus episode, Bianca,...
The Anatomy of an Opening
19 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode, Bianca connects with rising women’s-fiction author Mara Williams. Mara shares her winding road to publication, the Books w...
Shooting The Shit About Our Publishing Pet Peeves and What To Do When Your One “Yes” Is A “No”
16 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week’s Shooting the Shit is pure publishing chaos — in the best way. CeCe and Carly swap hilariously relatable publishing pet peeves (reply-a...
How to Make Agents Curious While Also Impressing Them With Your Line Level Writing
12 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 u...
Shooting the Shit About Editors Quiet Quitting and the Unpaid Labour of Agents
09 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The Long Game of Publishing
05 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Shooting The Shit About Auctions, *That* Post, and The Right Resources
02 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On this week’s segment of Shooting the Shit, Carly and CeCe talk about publishing layoffs, surprising Canadian bestseller stats, and a viral article...
When the Past Won't Stay Buried: Building Dark Psychological Thrillers
29 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s author interview, Bianca chats with debut novelist Leodora Darlington about ‘The Exes’, a sharp, dark psychological thriller that...
January Bonus Episode
26 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In part one of this month’s bonus episode, Bianca sits down with longtime collaborators and best friends Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinker to talk abou...
The Infinite Options of Where to Begin
22 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe break down two standout queries—and what they get right (and wrong).First up: a UK-set enemie...
Shooting the Shit About What Carly and CeCe Want To Fix In The Publishing Industry and (of course!) Heated Rivalry
19 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode, Carly and CeCe chat a little bit about everything from unreliable memories and heated hockey romance TV shows to what they’...
The Mechanics of Great Storytelling
15 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s double author interview, Bianca sits down with New York Times bestselling author Simone St. James to talk about her chilling new nove...
Shooting the Shit About The Easiest Genres to Sell and How Agents Impact The Outcomes of Book Deals
12 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s Shooting the Shit, Carly and CeCe ring in the new year by talking about words of the year, habits vs. goals, and what ease might actu...
Perfecting the Page One Experience
08 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe welcome writer Rhiannon Harvey for an in-depth Books with Hooks critique. Rhiannon reads her polished query f...
Shooting the Shit About Your Deepest and Darkest Book Money Questions PART TWO
05 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The money talk continues. In Part Two of this no-BS publishing deep dive, Carly and CeCe tackle what really happens after you sign a deal—from how a...
Big Auction Debuts and What Brings You Back to the Page
01 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s double author interview episode, Carly sits down with Katie Bernet, author of the wildly buzzed-about YA thriller ‘Beth Is Dead’ ...
December Bonus Episode
26 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In our final bonus episode of 2025, we uncover what really happens inside a literary agency? This week, we’re giving you a fly-on-the-wall look at a...
The Job of a Disruption
25 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this festive episode, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe unwrap two juicy query critiques! First up: — a whodunit-meets-reality-TV mashup where The Bachelor...
Shooting the Shit About Your Deepest and Darkest Book Money Questions: PART ONE
22 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Money. Advances. Royalties. Envy. Agenting. In this no-holds-barred part one episode, Carly and CeCe crack open the money conversations writers are to...
The Evolution of a Novel
18 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this week’s episode, Bianca chats with Belfast-born writer Gráinne O’Hare, author of the hilarious, tender, and irresistibly relatable debut n...
Shooting the Shit About How Much Agents Share
15 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Do agents talk about your queries behind the scenes? 👀In this episode of Shooting the Shit, Carly and CeCe kick things off with winter sadsies, Bra...
Quiet Stories, Big Stakes
11 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s Books with Hooks, Carly and CeCe dig into two thought-provoking queries — one about addiction and redemption, the other about love,...
Shooting the Shit: About the hidden side of best-of-year lists, AI worries, and the "midlist bestseller"
08 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s Shooting the Shit, Carly and CeCe dive into the chaos that is publishing in December—best-of-year lists, midlist “bestsellers,”...
Plotting With Fate
04 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Carly welcomes her co-writing clients Tracy Dobmeier and Wendy Katzman — authors of ‘10,000 Light Years from OK’ — to talk ab...
Shooting the Shit: About agent burnout and the problems facing small publishers and booksellers
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Carly and CeCe are back—one in snowy Canada, one in flower-crown Hawaii—and they’re diving into burnout, the business of books, and the spicy go...
The Pinball Effect in Fiction
27 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this Books with Hooks episode, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe dig into two submissions—a YA fantasy query and a memoir/nonfiction hybrid. They unpack wh...
November Bonus Episode
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In part one of November’s bonus episode, bestselling author Patricia Sands joins Bianca to share how she started writing at 65, indie-pubbed her way...
When Writing Gets Personal: Two Authors on Vulnerability and Voice
20 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In part one of this week’s author interview, CeCe Lyra connects with clinical psychologist, couples therapist, and bestselling author Dr. Tracy Dalg...
Shooting the Shit...Live from Hawaii! About turning down offers and how best to work with your literary agent.
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
CeCe’s in island mode, Carly’s snowed in—and the publishing chat is heating up. From lost luggage and red-eye flights to turning down book deals...
Murder, Metafiction, and Query Letter Mayhem
13 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Carly and CeCe are back (with a little Blue Jays banter to start) to dive into two fresh query letters. In this episode, the hosts critique a historic...
Shooting the Shit Live From LA! About Page to Screen and NaNoWriMo
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Carly’s reporting live from Los Angeles and CeCe’s just back from a rom-com-gone-wrong trip to Ottawa (complete with flight chaos and airport bath...
Success after 800 Rejections!
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Author and agent Jenna Satterthwaite joins Bianca to talk about her new thriller ‘The New Year’s Party’, a murder mystery packed with secrets, f...
Shooting the Shit About Winning Author Mindsets and Agent Submission Timelines
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
When Reality TV Meets Cli-Fi: Hooks, Depth, and the Dreaded Coincidence
30 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
October Bonus Episode
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 unf...
For The Love of Writing
23 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Motiv...
Shooting the Shit: About publishing’s ghosting problem and when sales are “not good”
20 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 fro...
Balancing Emotional Depth and Action In Your Story
16 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 in...
Shooting the Shit: About digital first book deals and negative experiences with writers' contests.
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Carly and CeCe spill all on their latest conference adventures, dive into the fast-changing world of digital-first publishing, and ta...
Insights from Marjan Kamali and Kirsten Miller
09 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Shooting the Shit About External Publicity, Publishing in the age of Kickstarter, and the alleged gambling problem
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Untangling Complex Queries: Writing with Clarity Across Timelines
02 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ch...
September Bonus Episode
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s bonus episode time! We’re thrilled to welcome back Emilie Sommer for her popular comps segment. But first, Bianca sits down with bestsellin...
Plausibility: Serendipity and Kismet vs. Coincidence
25 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Bestselling author Bianca Marais sits down with New York Times bestselling author of multiple novels, Marissa Stapley (writing as Julia McKay) to unwr...
Shooting the Shit Live From New York!
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
How to Find The Hook in Your Book
18 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Shooting The Shit: About book blurb culture, how to sell a book in a “tough category” and the Anthropic Settlement
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Intentionality! Intentionality! Intentionality!
11 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this engaging conversation, Bianca interviews Danya Kukafka, the author of 'Notes on an Execution.' They discuss the inspiration behind the...
Shooting the Shit: Why the industry publishes so many (too many!) books and how to spot a writerly phishing scam
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Pitch Perfect
04 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Books with Hooks, literary agents Carly and CeCe get nit-picky with an almost ‘Pitch Perfect’ query submission. They offer insi...
Shooting The Shit about what agents really think about writer’s conferences, how agents get good at their jobs, and what actually sells books right now
01 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Shooting The Shit, Carly and CeCe unpack the state of today’s publishing industry—from their latest projects to upcoming confer...
Writing a Voicey Novel
28 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Tend...
August Bonus Episode
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In part one of August’s Bonus Episode, Bianca connects with debut author Jo Morey. In this vibrant conversation,Jo opens up about her novel ‘Lime ...
Exploring the Critical to Compassionate Spectrum
21 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Books with Hooks, hosts Bianca, Carly, and CeCe dive into a query for the historical mystery ‘A Body at Rest', exploring the ...
Shooting The Shit: CeCe's new job, agent referrals, and what publishers try to get away with when writer's don't have agents
18 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
CeCe drops big news—she’s joining Wendy Sherman Associates! Carly and CeCe dive into what it means for her clients, how agency moves work behind t...
Karin Slaughter and the Mystery of Character and Rachel Howzell Hall on Switching Genres
14 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In part one of this week’s episode, Bianca sits down with the legendary bestselling author Karin Slaughter to talk about all things dark, twisty, an...
Shooting The Shit: "AI Slop" affecting books, what summers in publishing look like and hustle culture in the year 2025
11 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Shooting the Shit, Carly and CeCe are back with a no-holds-barred convo on everything rocking the publishing world. They dive into how hu...
From Audience to Impact: Crafting a Narrative That Connects
07 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this special episode of Books with Hooks, Carly and CeCe are joined by debut author Bryce Thomas to dive into his query letter for ‘Barracuda and...
Shooting The Shit: About Editors, The "Death" Of The Novel & Authors With The "It" Factor
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of ‘Shooting the Shit’, Carly and CeCe dive into the juicy, unfiltered side of publishing. From the surge in dark romance to how w...
From Books with Hooks to Published Author-How Writing is Rewriting
31 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, debut author Melissa O’Connor takes us behind the scenes of her publishing journey with ‘The One and Only Vivian Stone.’ She sh...
July Bonus Episode
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In part one of July’s bonus episode, Bianca sits down with debut author Jacqueline Faber for a thoughtful and inspiring conversation. With a rich ac...
Making Context Feel Organic
24 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this exciting episode of Books with Hooks, debut author Tali Shammas steps into the spotlight to share her query letter for her genre-blending nove...
Shooting The Shit
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Get ready for a brand-new segment with Carly and CeCe that dives into the juiciest side of publishing! In this fun, freewheeling episode, they spill t...
How Setting is More Than Just Story Backdrop
17 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode, Bianca connects with novelist Laura Resau. Laura provides an insightful outlook regarding her transition from writing for yo...
What is a familiar query letter...
10 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Books with Hooks, literary agents Carly and CeCe return with insightful feedback on query letters, focusing on commercial women’s...
Replacing Plot with Emotion in Quiet Novels
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this engaging conversation, Bianca interviews debut author Lidija Hilje. Her articles and essays were published in the New York Times, and other ou...
June Bonus Episode
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In part one of this month’s bonus episode, Bianca Marais chats with New York Times bestselling author Lucy Foley about her shift from historical fic...
Emotions—But Make It Messy
26 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this exciting episode of Books with Hooks, Bianca, CeCe, and Carly sit down with Casey, winner of the Masana Literary Project Fundraiser, to chat a...
How Withholding Backstory and Context Can Actually Elevate A Story
19 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this inspiring interview, Bianca connects with debut author Aisling Rawle and dives into ‘The Compound’—a dark, gripping tale set in the twis...
One of the Best Hooks We’ve Had on a BWH Segment
12 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pop the champagne—it’s the 200th episode of Books with Hooks! Join hosts Bianca, Carly, and CeCe as they celebrate this major milestone with signa...
Bianca and CeCe Discuss The Real Sh*t No One Tells You About Writing
05 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this special episode, CeCe Lyra sits down with our very own Bianca Marais to explore her writing journey, with a spotlight on her latest novel, ‘...
Concrete vs. Abstract Curiosity
29 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this special episode of Books with Hooks, author Kate Visser joins hosts Bianca, Carly and CeCe to share insights about her query letter for her YA...
May Bonus Episode
26 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the first part of this month’s bonus episode, Carly Watters interviews Anna Mitchael, an accomplished author and copywriter. Anna discusses her w...
How a Books With Hooks Query Became a Buzzy Debut
22 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this eye-opening episode, Bianca Marais interviews Jessica Guerrieri, author of 'Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea.' They discuss Jes...
Leaning into Illustrator Notes & CeCe Not Minding a But, But
15 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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—whe...
Nuggets of Wisdom from Carley Fortune and Sue Hincenbergs
08 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In part one of this week's author interviews, Bianca sits down with Canadian superstar writer, Carley Fortune. The authors discuss her latest nove...
The Problem with the Blank Canvas Protagonist
01 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Books with Hooks, hosts Bianca, CeCe, and Carly first review a query letter for literary fiction, providing insights on emotional d...
April Bonus Episode
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the first part of this bonus episode, Bianca interviews Lauren Ling Brown, author of 'Society of Lies.' They discuss Lauren’s journey to ...
An Ingenious Query Hack
24 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this informative author interview, Bianca connects with debut novelist Sarah Damoff to discuss her novel, ‘The Bright Years’ which explores the...
Why Plot and Specificity are a Query Letter's Best Friends
17 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Books with Hooks, hosts Bianca Marais, Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra welcome querying author Debbie Whittall to discuss her query let...
Ann Napolitano on Overcoming Rejection and Despair as Part of the Writing Life & Kirthana Ramisetti on The Art of Foreshadowing
10 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the first part of this episode, Bianca interviews Ann Napolitano, inspiring Oprah Book Club pick author of Hello Beautiful. During the multi-laye...
Stage Directions, Opening and How to Avoid Them
03 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Books with Hooks, hosts Bianca, Carly, and CeCe discuss the importance of clarity in storytelling, character development, and the n...
March Bonus Episode
31 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the first part of this month’s bonus episode, Carly Watters interviews Bailey Hannah, a Canadian romance author known for her ‘Wells Ranch’ s...
The Evolution of a Novel: Learning to Let Go
27 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this inspiring author interview, Bianca interviews Kath Jonathan, whose debut novel, 'The Resistance Painter', intertwines historical and c...
It's a Vibe: Plot Points & Emotional Vibes in Storytelling
20 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Books with Hooks, hosts Bianca, Carly and CeCe welcome special guest, literary agent, Lauren Spieller to discuss query letters in r...
Knowing the Shape of Your Story
13 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Warning: mature content.In this insightful segment that will make you laugh out loud, Bianca interviews New York Times best-selling writer, Lamda Lite...
Using the 'Micro to Macro' Hack
06 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Books with Hooks, hosts Bianca, Carly, and CeCe dive into the intricacies of middle grade fantasy submissions. They discuss a query...
Those Aha Moments That Arrive at the 80 000-Word Mark
27 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this engaging conversation, Bianca, interviews New York Times bestselling author Gillian McAllister. The author’s explore Gillian’s writing pro...
February Bonus Episode
24 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the first engaging conversation of this bonus episode, Bianca interviews Booker Prize-nominated Charlotte Wood, the acclaimed author of Stone Yard ...
Delving Deeply Into Your Antagonist's Psyche
20 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this segment of Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly and CeCe discuss a gothic horror novel submission as well as a psychological thriller.They highligh...
The Stories We Tell Ourselves to Make Them More Palatable
13 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In today’s author interview, Bianca chats with Sarah Chihaya about her memoir, Bibliophobia.During the conversation, they explore the profound impac...
What is Literary Burlesque and Can You Perform It?
06 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this segment of Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly and Cece discuss a memoir submission as well as a speculative thriller submission.They highlight th...