The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

The name says it all. Bianca Marais, Carly Watters, and CeCe Lyra created this podcast because the publishing industry runs on unwritten rules that nobody bothers explaining to debut authors. With nearly 400 episodes and a 4.8-star rating from over 700 reviewers, they have clearly struck a nerve. Bianca is a bestselling novelist, Carly is a literary agent, and CeCe brings the editorial perspective. That combination means you get the full picture: what writers experience, what agents actually want, and what makes editors say yes or no. Their signature segment, Books with Hooks, is genuinely useful. Writers submit query letters and opening pages, and the hosts critique them on air with zero sugarcoating. It is like getting a free workshop session every week, except you are learning from other writers' mistakes while drinking your morning coffee. The tone is warm but direct. They will laugh, they will rant about bad query trends, and they will tell you exactly why your opening paragraph is not working. Beyond the critiques, they bring on agents, editors, and published authors for interviews that actually go somewhere. Recent episodes have covered memoir craft, power dynamics in publishing, and what makes an opening chapter impossible to put down. If you are serious about traditional publishing and want the unvarnished truth about how the industry works, this is essential listening. Just maybe do not play it on speaker at the office.