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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 Industry
Publishing
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
Harvey
Voice In Writing
Middle Grade Fantasy
The Night Diary
Reparations

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 weeklyEpisodes380Founded5 years ago
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Artwork for The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

Latest Episodes

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’d actually change if they had a magic wand over the publishing industry. They dive into big, bold indus... more

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 novel, ‘A Box Full of Darkness’—a return to the eerie town of Fell that readers of ‘The Sundown Motel’ wil... more

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 actually look like in 2026. They also dive into what really goes into selling books, including a fascinati... more

In this episode, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe welcome writer Rhiannon Harvey for an in-depth Books with Hooks critique. Rhiannon reads her polished query for ‘Mara’s Call’, a speculative YA mystery set on a fog-shrouded New England island where the sea wh... more

Key Facts

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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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Recent Guests

Simone St. James
New York Times best-selling author
Episode: The Mechanics of Great Storytelling
Rhiannon Harvey
Author of "Mara's Call" and a marine biology nerd whose stories feature the ocean.
Episode: Perfecting the Page One Experience
Katie Bernet
Author of Beth Is Dead, a modern reimagining of Little Women as a mystery thriller.
Episode: Big Auction Debuts and What Brings You Back to the Page
Sarah Lariviere
Author of The Bad Kid and Riot Act
Episode: December Bonus Episode
Gráinne O'Hare
Writer based in Newcastle upon Tyne, recipient of Northern Debut Award for Fiction
New Writing North
Episode: The Evolution of a Novel
Tracy Dobmeier
Co-author of "10,000 Light Years from OK"
Episode: Plotting With Fate
Wendy Katzman
Co-author of "10,000 Light Years from OK"
Episode: Plotting With Fate
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

Hosts

Bianca Marais
Bestselling author and host with experience in guiding aspiring authors on navigating the publishing industry. Bianca's background also includes a focus on the emotional aspects of writing.
Carly Watters
Literary agent and co-host offering expertise in query letter critiques and the publishing process, ensuring a practical approach to getting published.
CeCe Lyra
Literary agent and co-host known for her insights into the publishing world and her role in critiquing aspiring authors' query letters.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.3k ratings
  • Audio issues

    Good content with abrupt ad breaks. Please work on the audio issues. The latest episode is unlistenable because the audio is so tinny. It makes the podcast sound amateurish when it really isn’t.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    sweetestgale
    United Statesa month ago
  • Great pod with truly random ad breaks

    I love this podcast for some real talk about querying and writing.

    That said… it feels like the ad breaks are placed at random. Often it’s in the middle of a sentence or question. So strange for an otherwise relatively professionally produced product!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Podreviews1369
    United Statesa month ago
  • Thank you!

    I have learned so much from only a few months of listening. Thank you for all the amazing content!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JoyandStuff
    Canada2 months ago
  • 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 States4 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 States4 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some feedback points out issues with abrupt ad breaks that disrupt the listening experience.
Many enjoy the humor and relatability brought by the hosts, which enhances the learning experience.
Listeners praise the podcast for its valuable content aimed at emerging writers, emphasizing its practical advice, engaging hosts, and supportive environment.
Overall, the majority finds the insights shared on writing and publishing to be invaluable, with many referring to the show as a must-listen resource for their writing journeys.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#22
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#65
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#14
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#41
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#50
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#98
United Kingdom/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Shooting the Shit About The Easiest Genres to Sell and How Agents Impact The Outcomes of Book Deals
Q: How much does a specific agent actually matter when it comes to the deal that the author gets?
An agent's reputation significantly influences outcomes in the publishing industry. Agents have reputations, and the reputation of an agent heavily influences the decisions made by publishers.
Perfecting the Page One Experience
Q: Is this manuscript meant to be YA or could it fit as adult fiction?
Hosts discuss the idea that while it features a 15-year-old protagonist, the tone may better align with adult fiction, depending on revisions.
Perfecting the Page One Experience
Q: What are your thoughts on Rhiannon's query letter?
The hosts provide detailed feedback, suggesting revisions that enhance character motivation and clarity of plot points.
Shooting the Shit About Your Deepest and Darkest Book Money Questions PART TWO
Q: Do advances trend based on genre/popularity?
Yes, advances do depend on genre and popularity, but competition and the author's track record play a significant role in determining offer amounts.
Shooting the Shit About Your Deepest and Darkest Book Money Questions PART TWO
Q: How much should a debut author consider spending for marketing/PR support?
Debut authors should set aside a percentage of their advance, typically between $10,000 and $20,000, for a solid marketing plan, and think strategically about how to invest that money.

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 podcast focuses on the journey of emerging writers, offering invaluable insights into the writing process and the publishing industry. Through engaging discussions and guest interviews with authors, agents, and editors, listeners gain practical advice on how to enhance their writing and navigate the complexities of getting published. The hosts bring a mix of expertise and humor, dissecting query letters and critiquing story openings while also shedding light on the emotional and technical aspects of the writing life. With its welcoming atmosphere, the show not only educates but inspires aspiring authors to refine their craft and pursue their publishing goals.

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Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Shit No One Tells You About Writing. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Shit No One Tells You About Writing and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

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What are the audience demographics for The Shit No One Tells You About Writing?

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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. The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers
5. Bad On Paper

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 380 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. Simone St. James
2. Rhiannon Harvey
3. Katie Bernet
4. Sarah Lariviere
5. Gráinne O'Hare
6. Tracy Dobmeier
7. Wendy Katzman
8. Patricia Sands

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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