The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

Bianca Marais, Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra

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 CeCe Lyra from P.S. Literary Agency, who read and critique query letters as well as opening pages in their Books with Hooks segment. Expect good advice, honest insights, and a few laughs along the way.

  1. 1d ago

    An Editorial Director on Books with Hooks

    Literary agent CeCe Lyra is joined by Editorial Director Bhavna Chauhan, at Doubleday Canada, for a special Books with Hooks episode. They dig into two query letters and opening pages, covering everything from choosing strong comps and clarifying genre to building tension, strengthening interiority, and creating opening scenes that keep readers turning pages. Bhavna also offers an acquiring editor’s perspective on what makes a pitch—and a protagonist—stand out. Bhavna Chauhan is Associate Publisher at Doubleday Canada where she edits for and oversees the imprint’s commercial program. A book business veteran of nearly three decades (including ten years as a bookseller), she now works across several genres and with an array of brilliant writers, including Heather Marshall, Shari Lapena, Liane Moriarty, Eva Jurczyk, Dolly Alderton, Shilpi Somaya Gowda, Chantel Guertin, Rick Mofina, and Molly Fader. As an editor, she’s on the hunt for smart, feel-good (and sometimes laugh-out-loud) upmarket book club fiction that features unforgettable characters on life-affirming journeys, and sophisticated, intricately crafted psychological thrillers that play with form. Note: CeCe Lyra is a literary agent at Wendy Sherman Associates. If you’d like to query CeCe, please refer to the submission guidelines at www.wsherman.com. Carly Watters is a literary agent at P.S. Literary Agency, but her work on this podcast is not affiliated with the agency, and the views expressed by Carly on this podcast are solely that of her as a podcast co-host ​and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, policies, or position of P.S. Literary Agency. Find us on our socials: Threads: https://www.threads.net/@the_shit_about_writing https://www.threads.net/@biancamarais_author https://www.threads.net/@carlywatters https://www.threads.net/@cece_lyra_agent Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_shit_about_writing/ https://www.instagram.com/biancamarais_author/ https://www.instagram.com/carlywatters/ https://www.instagram.com/cece_lyra_agent/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TSNOTYAW Websites: www.theshitaboutwriting.com, www.biancamarais.com, www.carlywatters.com and www.cecilialyra.com Bookshop.org affiliate page: https://bookshop.org/shop/theshitnoonetellsyouaboutwriting To sign up for our Substack newsletter, head to https://theshitaboutwriting.substack.com Sign up for CeCe's course: https://learn-with-cece.thinkific.com/products/courses/cecescoachingcorner Our Sponsors: * Check out Quince and use my code TSNOTYAW for a great deal: https://www.quince.com * Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code RosettaStone.com/TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com * Check out Uncommon Goods and use my code uncommongoods.com/TSNOTYAW for a great deal: https://www.uncommongoods.com * Check out Wayfair: https://www.wayfair.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    An Editorial Director on Books with Hooks
  2. 3d ago ·  Bonus

    Shooting The Shit With Special Guest Regina Brooks

    It’s Carly’s turn to give CeCe FOMO! Carly is back in the hot seat with special guest Regina Brooks, founder and CEO of Serendipity Literary Agency and President of the Association of American Literary Agents (AALA), for a firsthand look at the evolving landscape of literary agenting. Regina provides listeners with a lesson in Canon of Ethics 101 and its impact on authors, the financial realities of being a literary agent, the challenges facing today’s publishing industry and the growing impact of AI. She also answers (in her opinion) why staying informed might be the biggest challenge facing the publishing industry today. About Regina Brooks: Ms. Regina Brooks is the founder and CEO of Serendipity Literary Agency in NY, where she has represented and established a diverse base of award-winning clients in adult and young adult fiction, nonfiction, and children's literature.  Her clients have received Newbery, Caldecott, Edgar, Kirkus, NAACP Image and National Book Awards and honors.  Currently the president of the Association of American Literary Agents (AALA), Brooks is also the co-producer of the People of Publishing Conference, former co-producer of the U.S. Book Show, and a founding member of Literary Agents of Change (LAOC) and the Black Book Accelerator. She is a board member of the Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP) and a member of National Book Foundation’s Book Council Brooks is the author of Writing Great Books for Young Adults: Everything You Need to Know, from Crafting the Idea to Getting Published (Sourcebooks), You Should Really Write a Book: How to Write, Sell, and Market Your Memoir (St. Martin's Press), and Essence Magazine's quick pick children's book, Never Finished, Never Done (Scholastic). She is also a co-publisher with Open Lens, an imprint of Johnny Temple's (founder of the Brooklyn Book Festival) Akashic Books. She also partnered with poet Jessica Care Moore and was instrumental in relaunching Moore Black Press as an Amistad/HarperCollins poetry imprint. Brooks has been highlighted in the New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, bkreader and the Los Angeles Times. Her awards and honors include Stevie Awards in Business and for Women Entrepreneurs. The National Association of Professional Women named Brooks Woman of the Year, and Writer's Digest Magazine named Serendipity Literary Agency one of the top 25 literary agencies. Prior to her publishing career, Brooks worked as an aerospace engineer and made history as the first African American woman to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from The Ohio State University, and today she's a pilot and cofounder of Brooklyn Aviation.  Note: CeCe Lyra is a literary agent at Wendy Sherman Associates. If you’d like to query CeCe, please refer to the submission guidelines at www.wsherman.com. Carly Watters is a literary agent at P.S. Literary Agency, but her work on this podcast is not affiliated with the agency, and the views expressed by Carly on this podcast are solely that of her as a podcast co-host ​and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, policies, or position of P.S. Literary Agency. Find us on our socials: Threads: https://www.threads.net/@the_shit_about_writing https://www.threads.net/@biancamarais_author https://www.threads.net/@carlywatters https://www.threads.net/@cece_lyra_agent Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_shit_about_writing/ https://www.instagram.com/biancamarais_author/ https://www.instagram.com/carlywatters/ https://www.instagram.com/cece_lyra_agent/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TSNOTYAW Websites: www.theshitaboutwriting.com, www.biancamarais.com, www.carlywatters.com and www.cecilialyra.com Bookshop.org affiliate page: https://bookshop.org/shop/theshitnoonetellsyouaboutwriting To sign up for our Substack newsletter, head to https://theshitaboutwriting.substack.com Our Sponsors: * Check out Quince and use my code TSNOTYAW for a great deal: https://www.quince.com * Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code RosettaStone.com/TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com * Check out Uncommon Goods and use my code uncommongoods.com/TSNOTYAW for a great deal: https://www.uncommongoods.com * Check out Wayfair: https://www.wayfair.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    Shooting The Shit With Special Guest Regina Brooks
  3. Oct 29

    Believing in Your Worth Despite Being Rejected Over 250 Times

    This week on the podcast Bianca sits down with Cherokee Nation member, USA Today bestselling author Vanessa Lillie to discuss her gripping new thriller, The Bone Thief. Vanessa shares her long road to publication, navigating rejection and the business of publishing, and why writers need to trust their instincts. She also explains how writers can create a propulsive opening, write complex characters, and use suspense to explore Indigenous history, the trauma of colonialism, and the theft of Indigenous remains. Note: CeCe Lyra is a literary agent at Wendy Sherman Associates. If you’d like to query CeCe, please refer to the submission guidelines at www.wsherman.com. Carly Watters is a literary agent at P.S. Literary Agency, but her work on this podcast is not affiliated with the agency, and the views expressed by Carly on this podcast are solely that of her as a podcast co-host ​and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, policies, or position of P.S. Literary Agency. Find us on our socials: Threads: https://www.threads.net/@the_shit_about_writing https://www.threads.net/@biancamarais_author https://www.threads.net/@carlywatters https://www.threads.net/@cece_lyra_agent Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_shit_about_writing/ https://www.instagram.com/biancamarais_author/ https://www.instagram.com/carlywatters/ https://www.instagram.com/cece_lyra_agent/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TSNOTYAW Websites: www.theshitaboutwriting.com, www.biancamarais.com, www.carlywatters.com and www.cecilialyra.com Bookshop.org affiliate page: https://bookshop.org/shop/theshitnoonetellsyouaboutwriting To sign up for our Substack newsletter, head to https://theshitaboutwriting.substack.com Sign up for CeCe's course: https://learn-with-cece.thinkific.com/products/courses/cecescoachingcorner Our Sponsors: * Check out Quince and use my code TSNOTYAW for a great deal: https://www.quince.com * Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code RosettaStone.com/TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com * Check out Uncommon Goods and use my code uncommongoods.com/TSNOTYAW for a great deal: https://www.uncommongoods.com * Check out Wayfair: https://www.wayfair.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    Believing in Your Worth Despite Being Rejected Over 250 Times
  4. Oct 26 ·  Bonus

    October Bonus Episode

    It’s the last Monday of the month and that means it’s Bonus Episode week! Back in the hot seat is Emilie Sommer from East City Bookshop to answer all your comp questions. But first, join Bianca Marais and #1 international bestselling author Sir Ian Rankin, to discuss his latest crime thriller, The Heights. Sir Ian Rankin shares why he writes without an outline, how his characters guide the story, and the challenges of keeping track of details across a decades-long series. The two authors talk about compelling mysteries, creating unforgettable characters, the importance of trusting readers, and why the first draft is all about discovery. Note: CeCe Lyra is a literary agent at Wendy Sherman Associates. If you’d like to query CeCe, please refer to the submission guidelines at www.wsherman.com. Carly Watters is a literary agent at P.S. Literary Agency, but her work on this podcast is not affiliated with the agency, and the views expressed by Carly on this podcast are solely that of her as a podcast co-host ​and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, policies, or position of P.S. Literary Agency. Find us on our socials: Threads: https://www.threads.net/@the_shit_about_writing https://www.threads.net/@biancamarais_author https://www.threads.net/@carlywatters https://www.threads.net/@cece_lyra_agent Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_shit_about_writing/ https://www.instagram.com/biancamarais_author/ https://www.instagram.com/carlywatters/ https://www.instagram.com/cece_lyra_agent/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TSNOTYAW Websites: www.theshitaboutwriting.com, www.biancamarais.com, www.carlywatters.com and www.cecilialyra.com Sign up for Coaching Corner: https://learn-with-cece.thinkific.com/products/courses/cecescoachingcorner Bookshop.org affiliate page: https://bookshop.org/shop/theshitnoonetellsyouaboutwriting To sign up for our Substack newsletter, head to https://theshitaboutwriting.substack.com Our Sponsors: * Check out Quince and use my code TSNOTYAW for a great deal: https://www.quince.com * Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code RosettaStone.com/TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com * Check out Uncommon Goods and use my code uncommongoods.com/TSNOTYAW for a great deal: https://www.uncommongoods.com * Check out Wayfair: https://www.wayfair.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    October Bonus Episode
  5. Oct 22

    Your Job Is to Seduce, Not Explain

    Bianca, Carly, and CeCe are joined by listener Yemeng Lu-Myers. Our hosts critique Yemeng’s upmarket novel, discussing the importance of specificity when discussing inciting incidents in queries, strengthening tension between a character’s obligations and their desire, as well as how comps and titles can be used to position your book for the right audience. Carly, CeCe, and Bianca also dig into Yemeng’s opening pages, emphasizing some of CeCe’s favourite things – interiority, emotionality, and curiosity! Listen to find out more about hooking and seducing readers… hint: don’t reveal all your cards right away! Note: CeCe Lyra is a literary agent at Wendy Sherman Associates. If you’d like to query CeCe, please refer to the submission guidelines at www.wsherman.com. Carly Watters is a literary agent at P.S. Literary Agency, but her work on this podcast is not affiliated with the agency, and the views expressed by Carly on this podcast are solely that of her as a podcast co-host ​and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, policies, or position of P.S. Literary Agency. Find us on our socials: Threads: https://www.threads.net/@the_shit_about_writing https://www.threads.net/@biancamarais_author https://www.threads.net/@carlywatters https://www.threads.net/@cece_lyra_agent Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_shit_about_writing/ https://www.instagram.com/biancamarais_author/ https://www.instagram.com/carlywatters/ https://www.instagram.com/cece_lyra_agent/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TSNOTYAW Websites: www.theshitaboutwriting.com, www.biancamarais.com, www.carlywatters.com and www.cecilialyra.com Bookshop.org affiliate page: https://bookshop.org/shop/theshitnoonetellsyouaboutwriting To sign up for our Substack newsletter, head to https://theshitaboutwriting.substack.com Sign up for CeCe's course: https://learn-with-cece.thinkific.com/products/courses/cecescoachingcorner Our Sponsors: * Check out Quince and use my code TSNOTYAW for a great deal: https://www.quince.com * Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code RosettaStone.com/TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com * Check out Uncommon Goods and use my code uncommongoods.com/TSNOTYAW for a great deal: https://www.uncommongoods.com * Check out Wayfair: https://www.wayfair.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    Your Job Is to Seduce, Not Explain
  6. Oct 19 ·  Bonus

    Shooting the Shit Featuring Guest Literary Agent Ashley Lopez

    With Carly still on vacation, CeCe is getting herself into a little mischief! This week CeCe trades her cup of coffee and pours herself a glass of wine with friend and literary agent Ashley Lopez of MMQA Literary Agency. CeCe and Ashley talk about the rise of AI-narrated audiobooks and AI-generated rejection letters to the struggles facing nonfiction and the case for paperback originals. They also discuss why the agency behind your literary agent matters, the best times to query, and what Ashley is currently looking for in her inbox. About Ashley Lopez: Ashley Lopez is an agent with Massie McQuilkin & Altman Literary Agents. She received her MFA in Fiction from Sarah Lawrence College and has over a decade of publishing experience. Formerly the Director of Foreign Rights and an agent at WLA Books, she has worked on international and New York Times bestsellers, bringing a global perspective to her authors. An active member of the AALA, she represents literary and book club fiction, grounded speculative, horror, thrillers, narrative and practical nonfiction, as well as select poetry and YA. As discussed on the podcast: https://lunch.publishersmarketplace.com/2026/10/fbf-the-future-of-audio-frankfurt/ https://lunch.publishersmarketplace.com/2026/10/publishers-use-ai-for-marketing-copy-rejection-letters/ https://thewalrus.ca/nonfiction-is-struggling-publishers-are-making-it-worse/ https://leighstein.substack.com/p/losers-v-victims Note: CeCe Lyra is a literary agent at Wendy Sherman Associates. If you’d like to query CeCe, please refer to the submission guidelines at www.wsherman.com. Carly Watters is a literary agent at P.S. Literary Agency, but her work on this podcast is not affiliated with the agency, and the views expressed by Carly on this podcast are solely that of her as a podcast co-host ​and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, policies, or position of P.S. Literary Agency. Find us on our socials: Threads: https://www.threads.net/@the_shit_about_writing https://www.threads.net/@biancamarais_author https://www.threads.net/@carlywatters https://www.threads.net/@cece_lyra_agent Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_shit_about_writing/ https://www.instagram.com/biancamarais_author/ https://www.instagram.com/carlywatters/ https://www.instagram.com/cece_lyra_agent/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TSNOTYAW Websites: www.theshitaboutwriting.com, www.biancamarais.com, www.carlywatters.com and www.cecilialyra.com Bookshop.org affiliate page: https://bookshop.org/shop/theshitnoonetellsyouaboutwriting To sign up for our Substack newsletter, head to https://theshitaboutwriting.substack.com Sign up for CeCe's course: https://learn-with-cece.thinkific.com/products/courses/cecescoachingcorner Our Sponsors: * Check out Quince and use my code TSNOTYAW for a great deal: https://www.quince.com * Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code RosettaStone.com/TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com * Check out Uncommon Goods and use my code uncommongoods.com/TSNOTYAW for a great deal: https://www.uncommongoods.com * Check out Wayfair: https://www.wayfair.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    Shooting the Shit Featuring Guest Literary Agent Ashley Lopez
  7. Oct 15

    Everything You Write Is Both a One-Star Review and a Tattoo

    Bianca sits down with author Jonathan Edward Durham to talk about Winterset Hollow, his genre-bending novel that went from self-published hidden gem to cult favourite—and eventually landed a traditional publishing deal. Jonathan shares the unconventional journey behind the book, the power of word of mouth, and how he built an authentic social media following without constantly selling his work. They also dig into craft, from writing a book within a book to blending horror, fantasy, humour, and friendship—and why finding the right story can bring out your best writing. Note: CeCe Lyra is a literary agent at Wendy Sherman Associates. If you’d like to query CeCe, please refer to the submission guidelines at www.wsherman.com. Carly Watters is a literary agent at P.S. Literary Agency, but her work on this podcast is not affiliated with the agency, and the views expressed by Carly on this podcast are solely that of her as a podcast co-host ​and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, policies, or position of P.S. Literary Agency. Find us on our socials: Threads: https://www.threads.net/@the_shit_about_writing https://www.threads.net/@biancamarais_author https://www.threads.net/@carlywatters https://www.threads.net/@cece_lyra_agent Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_shit_about_writing/ https://www.instagram.com/biancamarais_author/ https://www.instagram.com/carlywatters/ https://www.instagram.com/cece_lyra_agent/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TSNOTYAW Websites: www.theshitaboutwriting.com, www.biancamarais.com, www.carlywatters.com and www.cecilialyra.com Bookshop.org affiliate page: https://bookshop.org/shop/theshitnoonetellsyouaboutwriting To sign up for our Substack newsletter, head to https://theshitaboutwriting.substack.com Sign up for CeCe's course: https://learn-with-cece.thinkific.com/products/courses/cecescoachingcorner Our Sponsors: * Check out Quince and use my code TSNOTYAW for a great deal: https://www.quince.com * Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code RosettaStone.com/TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com * Check out Uncommon Goods and use my code uncommongoods.com/TSNOTYAW for a great deal: https://www.uncommongoods.com * Check out Wayfair: https://www.wayfair.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    Everything You Write Is Both a One-Star Review and a Tattoo
  8. Oct 12 ·  Bonus

    Shooting the Shit With CeCe's Former Co-Workers Turned Bestie

    Will Carly have a serious case of FOMO after this Monday’s Shooting the Shit episode?! In this special episode, CeCe was supposed to fly solo—but instead, she twisted the arms of her former colleagues turned besties, literary agents Eric Smith, Nour Sallam, Adria Goetz, and Claire Harris, to join her for a publishing industry catch-up. This fireside chat amongst besties, covers everything from printing delays and a new children's imprint to the resurgence of bookstores and the latest buzz from the Frankfurt Book Fair. AI…the agents go there. Diving into the increasingly complicated world of AI in publishing, discussing author protections, AI-generated submissions, and the controversy surrounding AI detection tools like Pangram. This episode is packed with loads of laughs, strong opinions, and publishing industry hot takes. Sorry, Carly. You definitely missed a good one! As mentioned on this episode: Sign up for Coaching Corner for access to the editorial library with agents' feedback — including feedback from Eric, Claire, Adria, and Nour! https://learn-with-cece.thinkific.com/products/courses/cecescoachingcorner The first publisher to issue AI guidelines to authors and illustrators:  https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/connect/contact-us/ai-policy-for-authors-and-illustrators/ Supply Chain Issues Threaten Book Sales: https://lunch.publishersmarketplace.com/2026/10/as-supply-chain-problems-increase-some-books-miss-on-sale-dates/ What's Hot at the Frankfurt Book Fair:  https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/trade-shows-events/article/101287-frankfurt-book-fair-2026-what-s-hot-according-to-agents.html Note: CeCe Lyra is a literary agent at Wendy Sherman Associates. If you’d like to query CeCe, please refer to the submission guidelines at www.wsherman.com. Carly Watters is a literary agent at P.S. Literary Agency, but her work on this podcast is not affiliated with the agency, and the views expressed by Carly on this podcast are solely that of her as a podcast co-host ​and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, policies, or position of P.S. Literary Agency. Find us on our socials: Threads: https://www.threads.net/@the_shit_about_writing https://www.threads.net/@biancamarais_author https://www.threads.net/@carlywatters https://www.threads.net/@cece_lyra_agent Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_shit_about_writing/ https://www.instagram.com/biancamarais_author/ https://www.instagram.com/carlywatters/ https://www.instagram.com/cece_lyra_agent/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TSNOTYAW Websites: www.theshitaboutwriting.com, www.biancamarais.com, www.carlywatters.com and www.cecilialyra.com Bookshop.org affiliate page: https://bookshop.org/shop/theshitnoonetellsyouaboutwriting To sign up for our Substack newsletter, head to https://theshitaboutwriting.substack.com Our Sponsors: * Check out Quince and use my code TSNOTYAW for a great deal: https://www.quince.com * Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code RosettaStone.com/TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com * Check out Uncommon Goods and use my code uncommongoods.com/TSNOTYAW for a great deal: https://www.uncommongoods.com * Check out Wayfair: https://www.wayfair.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    Shooting the Shit With CeCe's Former Co-Workers Turned Bestie
4.8
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About

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 CeCe Lyra from P.S. Literary Agency, who read and critique query letters as well as opening pages in their Books with Hooks segment. Expect good advice, honest insights, and a few laughs along the way.

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