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The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

Bianca Marais, Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra
Writing
Query Letters
Character Development
Publishing
Publishing Industry
Writing Craft
The Social Worker
Conflict In Storytelling
Police Procedural Genre
Middle Grade Fiction
Writing Contests
Partition Of India
Love Stories
Acts Of Forgiveness
Women's Fiction
Literary Agents
Harvey
Voice In Writing
Middle Grade Fantasy
The Night Diary

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 ... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes366Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
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Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

Latest Episodes

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 gossip that only happens at publishing conferences. The dynamic duo cover everything from agent burnout, the... more

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 why centering a protagonist matters, how to sharpen specificity in quests, what makes prologues succeed ... more

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 to being approached by Amazon’s Lake Union, and built a devoted readership along the way. They chat a... more

In part one of this week’s author interview, CeCe Lyra connects with clinical psychologist, couples therapist, and bestselling author Dr. Tracy Dalgleish to talk about her new book ‘You, Your Husband and His Mother’—a candid look at one of the bigges... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Patricia Sands
An excellent literary citizen and a brilliant writer
Episode: November Bonus Episode
Dr. Tracy Dalgleish
Clinical psychologist, couples therapist and sought after relationship expert
Be Connected Digital
Episode: When Writing Gets Personal: Two Authors on Vulnerability and Voice
Jenna Satterthwaite
Author and literary agent
Storm Literary
Episode: Success after 800 Rejections!
Amber McBride
Author of 'The Leaving Room.'
Episode: October Bonus Episode
Hannah Mary McKinnon
Author known for her compelling storytelling
HannahMckinnon.com
Episode: For The Love of Writing
Judith Jaeger
Author seeking feedback on her query letter for her novel
Episode: Balancing Emotional Depth and Action In Your Story
Marjan Kamali
New York Times bestselling author of The Lion Women of Tehran, The Stationery Shop, and Together Tea
Wendy Sherman Associates
Episode: Insights from Marjan Kamali and Kirsten Miller
Kirsten Miller
Author of The Change and a Good Morning America book club pick, among others
Episode: Insights from Marjan Kamali and Kirsten Miller
Nina Simon
Author of Mother Daughter Murder Night
Episode: September Bonus Episode

Host

Bianca Marais
Bestselling author and host specializing in guiding emerging writers through the intricacies of writing and publishing.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.3k ratings
  • Almost Five Stars

    Lots to love about this podcast and would give TSNOTYAW five stars if the advertising was done better. The ads are often cut in really abruptly, almost mid-sentence, and sometimes the hosts will say they are going to an ad break, and then just skip the ad. Additionally, the ads themselves make me want to tear my hair out. Grateful for the fast forward button, but still! I don’t think Rosetta Stone intended to ensure that I will never ever buy their product? They are really long, really repetitiv... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    EFM970
    United States2 months ago
  • Treasure

    Discovering this podcast was like opening a treasure chest. It’s packed with everything from basic, practical info to inspirational suggestions, salted with plenty of laughs and surprises. I love the welcoming atmosphere paired with simple facts.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    burtsiebert
    United States3 months ago
  • Production issues

    Love this show and all it does for the writing community. Bianca, Cece and Carly are brilliant. BUT please, please, please can the producer or audio editor put the midroll for the ads in the right place? It always lands mid-sentence, just when Cece, Bianca or Carly is saying something interesting.This show is otherwise perfect content-wise but sloppy audio editing does scream low production values…

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    4Jk.pe
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Informative, but terrible representation

    A podcast for emerging writers as long as you’re a woman, particularly a white woman.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Daedalus.Fly
    United States5 months ago
  • A treasure trove of knowledge

    This podcast is an absolute must-listen for new writers, or any writer struggling to get their work out into the world. The tips are invaluable, the author interviews are deeply insightful, and my TBR has grown exponentially thanks to their brilliant book recommendations.

    Thank you, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe! Please keep this podcast going until the end of time.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Paige Quinton
    Canada5 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the engaging and insightful content that provides practical advice for aspiring writers.
There is a recognized sense of community fostered among emerging writers who find camaraderie in shared experiences and challenges in the writing world.
Some criticism arises regarding audio quality and segments that may feel disconnected or less relevant to listeners' needs.
Critiques and feedback on query letters are particularly valued as they contribute to the growth and improvement of writing skills.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#32
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#96
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#16
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#44
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#59
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#124
United Kingdom/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Shooting the Shit...Live from Hawaii! About turning down offers and how best to work with your literary agent.
Q: As an author, is it okay to reach out to producers on your own if you have a pitch deck and a pitch, or should you only allow your agent to do so?
Not without discussing it with your agent first, as most rights belong to your representation.
Shooting the Shit About Winning Author Mindsets and Agent Submission Timelines
Q: Does feedback from agents mean I have a better chance?
Feedback is a good sign; it usually means the agent sees potential in your work and is willing to engage.
Shooting the Shit About Winning Author Mindsets and Agent Submission Timelines
Q: When is the best time to go on submission?
It's best to avoid submission between Thanksgiving and New Year's, as many editors are not focused on new projects during that time. The January to May window is ideal for submissions.
Shooting the Shit Live From LA! About Page to Screen and NaNoWriMo
Q: How does one know what's too much for traditional publishing?
Determining what's too much for traditional publishing often involves understanding the market and finding the right balance in tone and content. It's essential to read widely and study comparable works to gauge what might be considered acceptable.
October Bonus Episode
Q: Can you tell us about your approach to the craft of writing when it comes to something like this?
For me, I'm a pantser. So I'm just going with the vibes and hoping for the best, right?

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

What is The Shit No One Tells You About Writing about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Targeted specifically at emerging writers, this podcast emphasizes the journey of improving writing quality and navigating the complex publishing landscape. Episodes feature candid discussions with authors, agents, and editors, focusing on real-world challenges faced by writers during the publishing process. Notably, the format includes segments where hosts critique query letters and opening pages, offering practical insights to aspiring authors. The combination of expert advice, uplifting anecdotes, and humor creates a supportive environment for writers at various stages of their literary journey, making it a vital resource for those looking to enhance their craft and understand the nuances of the publishing world.

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Which podcasts are similar to The Shit No One Tells You About Writing?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Shit No One Tells You About Writing:

1. Fiction Writing Made Easy | Top Creative Writing Podcast for Fiction Writers & Writing Tips
2. Essential Guide to Writing a Novel
3. The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience
4. Writers on Writing
5. Writer's Routine

How many episodes of The Shit No One Tells You About Writing are there?

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing launched 5 years ago and published 366 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Shit No One Tells You About Writing?

Recent guests on The Shit No One Tells You About Writing include:

1. Patricia Sands
2. Dr. Tracy Dalgleish
3. Jenna Satterthwaite
4. Amber McBride
5. Hannah Mary McKinnon
6. Judith Jaeger
7. Marjan Kamali
8. Kirsten Miller

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