The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
Bianca Marais, Carly Watters and CeCe LyraThis 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
| Publishes | Twice weekly | Episodes | 405 | Founded | 6 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | How ToBooksEducationArts | |||
Listen to this Podcast
Latest Episodes
Debut author Miranda Shulman joins literary agent CeCe Lyra to talk about turning a childhood dream into her literary suspense novel ‘Harmless’—and why the stories we tell ourselves about adulthood don’t always hold up. From writing her first draft a... more
This week, Carly and CeCe dive into major shifts in publishing—from quiet updates to the ‘New York Times’ bestseller list to growing concerns about editors using AI behind the scenes. Carly and CeCe unpack what these changes signal about industry tre... more
This week on Books with Hooks, Bianca, CeCe and Carly break down two query letters—and pull no punches. From missing plot lines to overstuffed author bios, they highlight the biggest mistakes writers make when pitching their work. They dig into why s... more
It’s chaos in publishing—and Carly and CeCe are breaking it all down. From the AI controversy behind Shy Girl to growing fears around trust, authorship, and what readers actually want. They get real and talk about layoffs, imprint closures, and what ... more
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Reviews
- Great show
I love the podcast but what is Cece’s problem. Why is she so rude to Carly? She speaks over her and talks down to her frequently. It’s very awkward
Apple Podcasts4Tahmeka
United States18 days ago - Amazing! Incredibly Helpful!
I am thrilled I discovered this podcast. I am a few years late to the party, but I am binge listening their back catalogue and loving every episode and learning so much. Truly, if you are trying to break into traditional publishing, this is a must-listen. A goldmine of helpful advice. I recommend it to all my writer friends! Thank you, Cece, Bianca and Carly for all the energy you pour into this. Your insights and encouragement have helped me so much.
Apple Podcasts5JoyceElizabethNUnited States3 months ago - Excellent!!
I love all the wonderful writing advice!!!
Apple Podcasts5Heather LADUnited States3 months ago - Anti-Capitalist
“I don’t necessarily love that we live in a capitalist system.” Excuse me? Would you rather be starving? Maybe she’s worried about her weight? As my Venezuelan friends said: the only down side of living in America is the weight gain.
Apple Podcasts1Richelle85United States3 months ago - Wealth of information horrible audio
Guys, I genuinely love this podcast and I’m learning so much but the audio quality is so rough it sometimes overshadows the content. There’s noticeable clipping, reverb and huge volume differences all in the same episode. Please, for the sake of everyone’s ears tighten up the audio. This show deserves it!
Apple Podcasts4Cherished bonesUnited States4 months ago
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Chart Rankings
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Apple Podcasts | #19 | United States/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #60 | United States/Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #8 |  Canada/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #21 | Canada/Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #31 |  United Kingdom/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #78 | United Kingdom/Arts |
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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?
A candid, practitioner-focused show for emerging writers aiming to publish. Across episodes, listeners hear practical guidance on writing craft, querying, and agent dynamics, interwoven with interviews from bestselling authors, literary agents, and editors. Segments like “Books with Hooks” bring real query letters and first pages under the microscope, while episodes frequently tackle industry trends, timelines, and marketing realities with a sharp, no-nonsense viewpoint. The hosts blend actionable feedback with behind-the-scenes insights, including debates on AI in submissions, royalties, and author promotion, making it a go-to resource for writers navigating the path to publication. A notable strength is the long-running, collaborative dia... more
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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. Writing Excuses
4. Helping Writers Become Authors
5. Writers on Writing
How many episodes of The Shit No One Tells You About Writing are there?
The Shit No One Tells You About Writing launched 6 years ago and published 405 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. Beth O'Leary
2. Kate Hilton
3. JR Ward
4. Lisa Unger
5. Charlotte Wood
6. Mara Williams
7. Sarah Miller-Adams
8. Marisa Walz
To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.