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The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

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

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 weeklyEpisodes451Founded6 years ago
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Artwork for The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

Latest Episodes

In this extra-special Books with Hooks, Olivia Haberman joins Bianca, Carly, and CeCe to workshop her upmarket novel Nobody Panic—and earns some seriously rare praise. They dig into what makes a query impossible to stop reading, writing omniscient PO... more

Carly and CeCe are back for another Shooting the Shit. This week they are talking about the unexpected work literary agents do behind the scenes—from tracking book availability and rights reversions to using sales data to advocate for authors. They a... more

Bestselling author Isabel Allende joins CeCe Lyra for an incredible interview that touches on storytelling, creativity, and the writing life. From the difference between writing and storytelling to the power of discipline, research, dreams, and solit... more

Carly and CeCe are back! This week they tackle what’s shifting in the book world—from immersive audiobooks becoming a “movie between your ears” to bookstores proving that reading and community are very much alive. They also discuss the decline of non... more

Key Facts

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

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Writers on WritingBarbara DeMarco-Barrett and Marrie Stone

Recent Guests

Isabelle Allende
Renowned author discussing storytelling craft and Storytelling
Episode: Writing Insights From the Greats: Isabelle Allende and Jodi Picoult
Jodi Picoult
Bestselling author discussing writing process, twists, and narrative structure
Episode: Writing Insights From the Greats: Isabelle Allende and Jodi Picoult
Kirsiah Depp
Senior editor at Grand Central Publishing, known for commercial fiction including fantasy and romance
Grand Central Publishing
Episode: An Acquiring Editor on Books With Hooks
Elizabeth Urso
Author of Hail Mary
Rising Action Publishing Company (author)
Episode: In Conversation with Editor and Author
Alex Brown
Editor and Marketing Professional
Rising Action Publishing Company
Episode: In Conversation with Editor and Author
Jo Morey
Author with a BA in English Literature and French, and a debut novelist.
Episode: August Bonus Episode
Hank Phillippi Ryan
USA Today and multiple award-winning thriller author, former journalist
Author
Episode: Author Insights from Hank Phillippi Ryan, Linwood Barclay and Laura Moriarty
Laura Moriarty
New York Times bestselling author and creative writing professor
Author
Episode: Author Insights from Hank Phillippi Ryan, Linwood Barclay and Laura Moriarty
Linwood Barclay
New York Times bestselling thriller author and former newspaper editor
Author
Episode: Author Insights from Hank Phillippi Ryan, Linwood Barclay and Laura Moriarty

Hosts

Bianca Marais
Bestselling author and podcast host focused on helping writers through practical advice, author interviews, and editing/process insights.
Carly Watters
Co-host and literary agent at PS Literary Agency; reads and critiques queries and pages in Books with Hooks.
CeCe Lyra
Co-host and literary agent at Wendy Sherman Associates; participates in Books with Hooks and industry analysis.

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 States5 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 States6 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 States6 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 States8 months ago
  • Excellent!!

    I love all the wonderful writing advice!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Heather LAD
    United States8 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Production and ad placement receive mixed feedback, but content quality and generosity of hosts are frequently highlighted.
Listeners praise practical writing advice and industry insight; guests are a strong draw for those seeking representation or better publishing understanding.
Craft-focused discussions and author interviews are cited as valuable and accessible for new writers.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#40
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#111
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#29
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#51
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#83
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#132
United Kingdom/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

In Conversation with Editor and Author
Q: What was the evolution of the prologue in the manuscript?
The prologue wasn't part of the original manuscript that Alex acquired; it was developed later with input from a film agent and developmental edits, and its visceral, first/second-person hybrid voice was crafted to heighten tension and immerse readers right away.
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.

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?

- This show centers on practical craft for writers and deep-dives into the publishing industry, featuring hands-on critique of query letters and opening pages (Books with Hooks) alongside author interviews and industry analysis. Episodes regularly cover market trends, agent/editor dynamics, and real-world publishing scenarios, often weaving in educational courses, sponsor reads, and behind-the-scenes storytelling from agents and authors. A notable strength is its accessible, candid approach to navigating submissions, representation, and market signals, with a mix of debut and established authors across genres. The format blends craft feedback with strategic career guidance, making it a strong resource for aspiring authors seeking actionable... 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. Writing Excuses
3. Essential Guide to Writing a Novel
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 451 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. Isabelle Allende
2. Jodi Picoult
3. Kirsiah Depp
4. Elizabeth Urso
5. Alex Brown
6. Jo Morey
7. Hank Phillippi Ryan
8. Laura Moriarty

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