• 39 minutes 12 seconds
    The Craft of Specificity: Why Vague Kills Queries

    On this week’s Books with Hooks, Carly and CeCe talk about TWO standout queries hit the table this week—and the bar is high. One delivers a polished, compelling YA pitch with strong writing and commercial appeal, but raises a big question. The other hooks with voice and literary edge, but struggles with clarity—multiple storylines, shifting tones, and an unclear inciting incident leave agents searching for the core. On the page, both authors shine. We talk sneaky prologues, elevated voice in YA, and the balance between internal vs. external stakes. Plus: why “sparkle” matters in a crowded market, how query letters must signal tone as much as plot, and the difference between intriguing and confusing.

    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.

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    7 May 2026, 5:00 am
  • 49 minutes 55 seconds
    Shooting The Shit About Expectations in Agent Author Relationships and Who Gets To Go On Book Tour

    In this week’s episode of Shooting the Shit, Carly and CeCe dive into a viral story about ChatGPT allegedly derailing a $50M deal and unpack what it means for writers relying on AI—warning that outsourcing your thinking can cost you your creative power. They tackle a common query dilemma (can you comp a book you don’t even like?), break down why small manuscript tweaks won’t fix deeper story issues, and remind writers to stop chasing the “right answer” and start trusting their own voice. Carly and CeCe also talk about tough industry realities—from agents parting ways with clients to the truth about book tours (who gets them and why most don’t)—offering a candid look at how publishing really works behind the scenes.

    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.

    Mentioned on today's episode:

    https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2026-04-16/reese-witherspoon-authors-book-club-learn-ai-chatgpt

    https://open.substack.com/pub/unsolicitedmanuscript/p/author-tours?r=h5j0&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web (edi

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    4 May 2026, 5:00 am
  • 1 hour 39 minutes
    Author Insights from Mai Nguyen, Lindsay Wong and Laurie Frankel

    In part one of this week’s triple author interview, literary agent Carly Watters sits down with Mai Nguyen to discuss her deeply personal novel ‘Cleo Dang Would Rather Be Dead’. Mai shares the heartbreaking real-life loss that inspired the book and how writing fiction became a vessel for processing grief. They dive into the challenge of portraying “bed-rotting” grief on the page, balancing darkness with humor, and why a funeral home setting became the perfect device to move the story—and the character—forward. The conversation also explores envy in grief, the taboo of infant loss, and how community and connection can bring someone back to life.

    Part two pivots to Carly Watters chatting with Lindsay Wong about her genre-bending novel ‘Villain-Hitting for Vicious Little Nobodies’—a dark, hilarious story blending horror, history, and autofiction. Lindsay breaks down the book as a story of choicelessness, intergenerational trauma, and what women sacrifice to survive under capitalism and cultural expectations. They dive into corpse marriage, villain hitting, and how myth and reality collide to explore power, class, and rage—especially for women who aren’t allowed to express it. The conversation also unpacks world-building through power dynamics, writing discomfort as a craft tool, and navigating multiple POVs. 

    Part 3 dives deep into craft, character, and the messy reality of writing the book you actually need to write—not the one you started with. Laurie Frankel breaks down how voice isn’t found—it’s earned through hundreds of drafts, and why early pages are often just writers “circling the building” until the story clicks. The conversation explores smart craft choices like easing readers in with minor characters, using names as free character development, and why your protagonist’s job should serve the story’s needs, not just realism.

    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.

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    30 April 2026, 5:00 am
  • 1 hour 24 minutes
    April Bonus Episode

    Debut author Canwen Xu joins Bianca to talk about ‘Boring Asian Female’—the dark, addictive novel that began as women’s fiction and evolved into a razor-sharp psychological thriller. They discuss, turning personal failure into emotional truth on the page, the 25 drafts and major genre pivot that changed everything, writing a morally messy, hyper self-aware protagonist and why internal validation matters more than external wins. A candid conversation about obsession, identity, and the long road to getting it right.

    Part two of this month’s bonus episode, Bianca connects with best-selling author, Rea Frey. Rea dives into the behind-the-scenes realities of writing and publishing, with a sharp focus on what truly moves the needle for authors. From the power of agent meetings—offering market-savvy, no-nonsense feedback you won’t get from peers—to the brutal truth about rewriting entire manuscripts under pressure, this episode pulls back the curtain on the process . She shares hard-earned insights on resilience, why some books need to be shelved (for now), and how timing can make or break a manuscript. Plus, a candid look at the biggest mistakes writers make—from submitting too early to ignoring the business side of publishing—and why understanding the industry is just as critical as mastering craft.

    And lastly, don’t miss out on Emilie’s comps!

    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.

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    Websites: www.theshitaboutwriting.com, www.biancamarais.com, www.carlywatters.com and www.cecilialyra.com

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    27 April 2026, 5:00 am
  • 30 minutes 59 seconds
    When Intrigue Turns Into Confusion

    This week on Books with Hooks, Bianca CeCe and Carly unpack what makes a query actually work—and where things quietly fall apart. From a gripping friends-to-lovers premise with a dark past to a stranded-on-an-island YA romance, they dive into high-stakes storytelling, dual POV risks, and the fine line between intrigue and frustration. They break down why accessible literary might raise eyebrows, how withholding key information can backfire, and why surprise on the page needs context to land. Plus: opening pages that hook, voice that shines, and the ongoing debate between depth vs momentum. 

    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.

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    Websites: www.theshitaboutwriting.com, www.biancamarais.com, www.carlywatters.com and www.cecilialyra.com

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    23 April 2026, 5:00 am
  • 38 minutes 33 seconds
    Shooting the Shit About What Agents Do All Day

    What do literary agents actually do all day—and what does that mean for you as a writer? This episode pulls back the curtain on the reality: constant code-switching, shifting priorities, and a job driven by urgency, relationships, and gut instinct. In this week’s episode of Shooting the Shit…Carly and CeCe break down why publishing is as much about human connection and timing as it is about great writing—and why “dream agents” only matter if they’re obsessed with your book. They also tackle a big question: what happens if you’ve had an agent before? Spoiler: it’s not a dealbreaker—but how you frame it matters.

    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.

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    Websites: www.theshitaboutwriting.com, www.biancamarais.com, www.carlywatters.com and www.cecilialyra.com

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    20 April 2026, 5:00 am
  • 45 minutes 1 second
    How to Build a Protagonist Who Actually Makes Sense

    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 at Planned Parenthood to landing an agent through a fellowship (no traditional querying required), Miranda shares her unconventional path to publication. They dive into obsession, messy female friendships, and the existential spiral of your late 20s—plus what it really takes to shape a compelling, complex protagonist.

    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.

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    16 April 2026, 5:00 am
  • 37 minutes 39 seconds
    Shooting The Shit About Changes to the NYT Bestseller List and Editors Allegedly Using AI

    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 trends, including the rise of audiobooks and the decline of mass market paperbacks. They also tackle the controversy around manuscripts being fed into AI tools—and what that means for author trust and confidentiality. Plus, a fascinating breakdown of debut author advances reveals what writers are really getting paid today.

    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:

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    Websites: www.theshitaboutwriting.com, www.biancamarais.com, www.carlywatters.com and www.cecilialyra.com

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    AS SHARED ON THE PODCAST:

    https://open.substack.com/pub/emilyzipps/p/2025-debuts-data-part-two?r=h5j0&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

    https://www.nytco.com/press/announcing-updates-to-our-best-seller-lists/?mc_cid=edfbfdb621&mc_eid=c3c057229b

    https://www.thebookseller.com/news/some-editors-uploading-confidential-manuscripts-to-chatgpt-to-read-quickly-agent-claims



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    13 April 2026, 5:00 am
  • 38 minutes 14 seconds
    Plugging in Mental Modules

    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 subplots don’t belong in queries, how vague “vibes” kill momentum, and why your protagonist must think on the page—not just act. Plus: the danger of performing for the reader, the myth of show don’t tell, and what agents actually need to say yes. 

    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:

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    9 April 2026, 5:00 am
  • 38 minutes 4 seconds
    Shooting the Shit About Cancelled Books and the Shy Girl AI Discourse

    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 it means for writers navigating an already tough landscape. Plus: the reality of editor turnover, the flood of self-published books, and why literary fiction might be poised for a comeback.

    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:

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    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_shit_about_writing/

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    Websites: www.theshitaboutwriting.com, www.biancamarais.com, www.carlywatters.com and www.cecilialyra.com

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    AS SHARED ON THE PODCAST:

    https://newrepublic.com/article/207659/non-fiction-publishing-threat-important-ever\

    https://www.threads.com/@deeshaphilyaw/post/DWITRYgDD7W?xmt=AQF0Fl2ZZ9Yzr6vOCqP5Rn06mB

    XnH6Wo48wf0CG3MrKm6Q

    https://substack.com/@janefriedman/note/c-230548625?r=h5j0&utm_source=notes-share-action&utm_medium=web

    https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/19/books/shy-girl-book-ai.html?unlocked_article_code=1.UlA.R8RW.PFdWmcI_UreZ&smid=nytcore-android-share



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    6 April 2026, 5:00 am
  • 1 hour 12 seconds
    Insights from Beth O'Leary and Kate Hilton

    A double author interview you don’t want to miss! Bestselling author Beth O’Leary breaks down her signature approach to writing high-concept, emotionally grounded romance—starting with a compelling “what if” hook and building outward into layered characters, structure, and setting. She shares how ‘The Name Game’ evolved from a simple premise into a complex, multi-POV narrative with intentional use of diaries, emails, and dual timelines to deepen tension and deliver surprising twists. Beth also dives into craft essentials like differentiating character voice, managing pacing across timelines, and why first drafts are meant to be messy. From false starts and massive rewrites to the power of immersive world-building (even in contemporary fiction), this interview is a masterclass in trusting the process, refining your craft, and turning raw ideas into deeply satisfying stories.

    Author Kate Hilton shares how ‘City of the Muse’ grew from a collision of real-world academic scandals and archival discoveries into a richly layered dual-timeline mystery spanning Egypt and modern-day Toronto. Drawing on her lifelong fascination with archaeology—and years of research into papyrology, forgotten histories, and women in early excavation work—she unpacks the craft behind balancing past and present narratives, sustaining momentum across timelines, and creating distinct, psychologically grounded characters. Kate also offers candid insight into the realities of long-haul writing (including six years of drafting between other projects), the push-pull between research and procrastination, and how intuition ultimately guides decisions around voice, POV, and structure—reminding writers that every story is, at its core, a mystery waiting to be uncovered.

    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.

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