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The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

Bianca Marais, Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra
Query Letters
Publishing Industry
Character Development
Writing
Literary Agents
Writing Process
Publishing
Literary Fiction
Books With Hooks
Mental Health
Young Adult Fiction
Creative Writing
Writing Craft
Women's Fiction
Self-Publishing
Grief
Women In Literature
Psychological Thriller
Writing Advice
Family Dynamics

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 weeklyEpisodes440Founded6 years ago
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Artwork for The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

Latest Episodes

Carly and CeCe are back for another Shooting the Shit, digging into the latest publishing news—from what’s changing with local author events to encouraging new sales numbers across the industry. They also spotlight editor Whitney Frick and unpack wha... more

This week on Books with Hooks, CeCe, Carly, and Bianca critique two submissions: a literary LGBTQ novel centered on the closure of a rural queer bar and the buried trauma tied to its history, and an upmarket dual-timeline novel set within Guadalajara... more

Carly and CeCe are back to unpack another messy week in publishing, from a headline-making cancelled book auction and growing concerns over AI accusations to the urgent need for clearer industry guidelines around AI use. They dig into who should be r... more

In part one of this week’s episode, Bianca Marais sits down with bestselling author Chris Bohjalian to discuss The Amateur. Don’t miss this incredibly insightful interview that touches on voice, tension, and emotional storytelling. They explore how t... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Karen Sams
Author of Where the Mariachis Sing, instructor who submitted the query
Episode: Fight! Fight! Fight!
Chris Bohjalian
Number-one New York Times bestselling author known for The Amateur and many other novels
Author
Episode: Author Insights From Chris Bohjalian, Bailey Hannah and Tarah DeWitt
Bailey Hannah
Author of Love Wells Kept and other Wells Ranch stories
Author
Episode: Author Insights From Chris Bohjalian, Bailey Hannah and Tarah DeWitt
Tara DeWitt
Author of Lost and Found; longtime pod guest and client
Author
Episode: Author Insights From Chris Bohjalian, Bailey Hannah and Tarah DeWitt
Michelle Crowell
Debut author submitting a query and pages for critique
Episode: Worldbuilding Without Confusing Readers
Jacqueline Faber
Author and freelance writer with a PhD in Comparative Literature.
Episode: July Bonus Episode
Molly Fader
Author of Lady X, host of Day Drinking with Authors
Author (Lady X)
Episode: The Writing Trick That Landed Five Agent Offers
Alia Hanna Habib
Agent and author; works at The Gernert Company
The Gernert Company
Episode: Shooting the Shit With Special Guest Alia Hanna Habib
Ruth Newton
Writer and campaign producer working with charities and NGOs
The Carrier/The Carriers
Episode: The First Guest on Books With Hooks is Publishing! & The Protagonist as an Outsider

Hosts

Bianca Marais
Host and bestselling author; often leads interviews and oversees Books with Hooks segments.
CeCe Lyra
Co-host, literary agent; frequent Books with Hooks reader and critic.
Carly Watters
Co-host, literary agent; reads/edit queries and discusses publishing journeys.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.4k ratings
  • Can’t recommend enough!

    A wealth of information and delivered in an entertaining manner. And free to listen! Haven’t noticed the things the negative reviews have mentioned with advertising breaks or audio quality. And some of the negative reviews are ridiculous, the podcast regularly promotes underrepresented voices and the informal conversational tone is one of the best aspects. Enjoy your writing journey and best of luck!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Flygirlwest
    United States4 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.

    They also are worried about book bans for children. Unless you’re writing smut and marketing it to children you don’t have to worry about a book ban. Or writing anything with a conservative message.

    And they spend most their time complaining about AI.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Richelle85
    United States4 months ago
  • 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 Podcasts
    4
    Tahmeka
    United States5 months 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 Podcasts
    5
    JoyceElizabethN
    United States7 months ago
  • Excellent!!

    I love all the wonderful writing advice!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Heather LAD
    United States7 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Audience feedback praises practical writing advice and around-the-topic depth.
Guests and hosts are considered knowledgeable and generous with industry insights.
Listeners note audio quality and ad placement as common areas for improvement.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#26
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#78
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#11
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#30
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#48
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#120
United Kingdom/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Fight! Fight! Fight!
Q: How should the comps be selected for an at-market, book-club title?
Choose comps that balance literary quality with sales potential, ensuring they reflect the book's actual tone and audience; the editors should see a credible path to both critical praise and marketability.
Fight! Fight! Fight!
Q: What would you tell the author about strengthening the hook and the clarity of the A plot?
Focus the hook on the frame narrative and the core mystery surrounding the Gringo Cage, making clear what happened there and what Tara returns to investigate 23 years later, so readers know the throughline from the start.
Author Insights From Chris Bohjalian, Bailey Hannah and Tarah DeWitt
Q: Why use a faux memoir and a future narration for Mira?
To enable deliberate foreshadowing and a layered sense of dread, while ensuring the narrative remains intimate and character-driven.
Shooting the Shit With Special Guest Alia Hanna Habib
Q: What should a writer consider about agent relationships when changing representation?
Writers should reflect on what they want in a new agent, assess past relationships, and ensure honest conversations about expectations and fit; a whisper network can reveal red flags, but true alignment comes from direct, clear communication.
Shooting the Shit With Special Guest Alia Hanna Habib
Q: Is ghostwriting common in nonfiction, and when should it be considered?
Ghostwriting is not the default for nonfiction, but it is common when the subject matter is expertise-based and the writer may not be a professional writer; publishers may prefer to work with a writer who can translate expertise into accessible prose.

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?

A practical, writer-focused show where a bestselling author hosts candid conversations with authors, agents, editors, and publishing professionals. The discussions regularly cover query letters, opening pages, and submission strategies through in-depth Books with Hooks critiques, practical publishing career insights, and real-world market dynamics. Listeners can expect hands-on editing tips, honest industry commentary, and actionable guidance on pitching, drafting, and navigating the publishing journey. A standout element is the trio's chemistry and their willingness to dissect manuscripts while also sharing personal publishing experiences, making it especially helpful for aspiring writers and indie authors seeking concrete steps to move to... 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 with Savannah Gilbo | How to Write a Novel & Writing Advice
2. Essential Guide to Writing a Novel
3. Helping Writers Become Authors
4. Writers on Writing
5. Writing Excuses

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 440 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. Karen Sams
2. Chris Bohjalian
3. Bailey Hannah
4. Tara DeWitt
5. Michelle Crowell
6. Jacqueline Faber
7. Molly Fader
8. Alia Hanna Habib

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.

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