The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

The name says it all. Author Bianca Marais teams up with literary agent Carly Watters and editor CeCe Lyra to pull back the curtain on the parts of the publishing process that nobody prepares you for. Their signature segment, Books with Hooks, is probably the most useful recurring feature on any writing podcast right now. They take real query letters and opening pages submitted by listeners and critique them live, which means you get to hear exactly what an agent thinks when she reads your first paragraph. It is brutally honest and incredibly educational. Beyond that segment, the show covers craft topics like building slow-burn suspense, writing emotionally resonant openings, and navigating the often-bewildering timeline of traditional publishing. The three hosts have genuine chemistry and complement each other well, with Bianca bringing the author perspective, Carly the agent lens, and CeCe the editorial eye. Nearly 390 episodes in, the show holds a strong 4.8-star rating from over 775 reviews. The audio quality can be inconsistent at times, with some listeners noting volume differences between hosts, but the substance of the advice more than compensates. If you are serious about querying agents or understanding how acquisitions actually work, this is essential listening.