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,...
May 07, 2026•39 min•Season 31Ep. 1
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 a...
May 04, 2026•50 min
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 c...
Apr 30, 2026•1 hr 39 min•Season 30Ep. 10
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...
Apr 27, 2026•1 hr 25 min
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. Plu...
Apr 23, 2026•31 min•Season 30Ep. 9
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 b...
Apr 20, 2026•39 min
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...
Apr 16, 2026•45 min•Season 30Ep. 8
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 d...
Apr 13, 2026•38 min
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. Not...
Apr 09, 2026•38 min•Season 30Ep. 7
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 Associa...
Apr 06, 2026•38 min
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 ...
Apr 02, 2026•1 hr•Season 29Ep. 8
March’s bonus episode is jam packed. We start off with an engaging conversation, Bianca speaks with author Kerry Clare about her latest novel, 'Definitely Thriving.' They explore the inspirations behind the book, including the influence of Barbara Pym and Rebecca Solnit , and discuss the complexities of writing, character development, and the importance of community and female empowerment in literature. Kerry shares her experiences of writing during the COVID-19 pandemic and reflects on the chal...
Mar 30, 2026•1 hr 56 min
This week’s Books with Hooks gets real. The hosts dissect two query letters — one with a jaw-dropping horror premise and another that sparks big conversations about comps, pacing, and giving away too much too soon. From believable character choices to the difference between strong writing vs strong storytelling, this episode is packed with blunt, actionable feedback emerging writers need to hear. If you’re querying, revising, or obsessing over your first pages — don’t miss this one. Trigger W...
Mar 26, 2026•41 min•Season 30Ep. 5
Publishing isn’t broken… or is it? This week, Carly and CeCe unpack the explosive reaction to last episode—burnout, disillusionment, and the uncomfortable truths no one wants to say out loud. Plus: a stat that proves a tiny group of readers is carrying the entire industry (yikes). They also call out London Book Fair myths, Instagram fatigue, and why long-form thinking is making a comeback. Note: CeCe Lyra is a literary agent at Wendy Sherman Associates. If you’d like to query CeCe, please refer ...
Mar 23, 2026•41 min
In this week’s episode, bestselling author J.R. Ward —creator of the wildly popular ‘ Black Dagger Brotherhood’ series—joins the show to talk about her new romantasy novel ‘ Crown of War and Shadow’ and the evolution of fantasy romance. J.R. and Bianca explore the difference between paranormal romance and romantasy, why collectible book editions are booming, and how immersive worlds help readers experience powerful human emotions in extraordinary settings. J.R. shares her unconventional writing ...
Mar 19, 2026•26 min•Season 30Ep. 4
In this week’s Shooting the Shit, Carly and CeCe bounce from industry gossip to big philosophical questions about publishing. They announce an exciting live podcast recording at the ' When Words Collide 2026’ conference in Calgary and share what’s buzzing around the London Book Fair—from politics and AI to the state of nonfiction. The conversation gets deeper when they unpack a viral Reddit post from a disillusioned editor questioning the publishing industry and what it really values. That leads...
Mar 16, 2026•45 min
In this week’s episode of Books with Hooks, Bianca , Carly , and CeCe critique two very different query letters—and what makes (or breaks) them on the page. First, they workshop an upmarket literary novel about an accountant heading to the brutal Mongol Derby, questioning stakes, starting point, and whether the pitch is selling the story or simply summarizing it. Then, they pivot to a 1970s dual-POV sports romance about a trailblazing female ultrarunner, breaking down strong comps, a compelling ...
Mar 12, 2026•45 min•Season 30Ep. 3
This week, Carly and CeCe are covering a little bit of everything—from surprising publishing mishaps to the realities of author blurbs and the strange psychology of the slush pile. They unpack what happens when an offer lands in an agent’s inbox… with the author’s name spelled wrong, why blurbs still matter (even when authors are overwhelmed by requests), and the unspoken etiquette of returning the favor in publishing’s “blurb economy.” The conversation also dives into overused comp titles in qu...
Mar 09, 2026•42 min
Bestselling thriller author Lisa Unger joins the show to talk about longevity, creativity, and the craft behind writing dark, layered stories. From surviving industry shifts to protecting your creative “deep work,” Lisa shares what it really takes to build a long writing career — and why the only constant is showing up at the page. Bianca and Lisa dive into writing multiple first-person POVs, creating authentic character voices, embracing organic storytelling, and how empathy and research shape ...
Mar 05, 2026•26 min•Season 30Ep. 2
Carly and CeCe are back! This week they chat about audiobook double-dipping stats, the behind-the-scenes “fires” agents constantly put out (covers, contracts, timelines, leverage), and whether traditional media still moves the needle—or just feeds our very human need for validation. They also dive into buzzy memoirs, literary-agent characters in fiction, and why AI submissions are getting spotted instantly and what that means for writers who don’t trust their own voice. Note: CeCe Lyra is a lite...
Mar 02, 2026•48 min
In this episode of Books with Hooks, Bianca , CeCe , and Carly workshop two anonymous submissions—a YA dystopian and an adult thriller—breaking down what’s working, what’s missing, and how to level both projects up for the slush pile. First up: a YA dystopian about a society built on “modification,” where failure means servitude—and survival may depend on a dangerous twin-swap. Then they turn to an adult thriller about a woman who returns to her hometown, finds her missing sister’s diary, and un...
Feb 26, 2026•43 min•Season 30Ep. 1
February’s bonus episode is packed with oodles of amazing writing tips from incredible authors. In part one of this month’s bonus episode, Bianca, connects with bestselling thriller author Robyn Harding and breaks down how she builds slow-burn suspense in ‘ Strangers in the Villa’ —from sneaky prologues and curiosity seeds to power imbalances, inciting incidents, and structuring twists that keep readers guessing. In part two of this month’s bonus episode, Bianca chats with debut romance author a...
Feb 23, 2026•1 hr 19 min
In this week’s episode, Bianca connects with rising women’s-fiction author Mara Williams. Mara shares her winding road to publication, the Books with Hooks → beta reader → agent pipeline, and why community matters. They dig into writing emotionally charged openings, handling buried secrets, balancing romance with women’s fiction, and learning which feedback to take—and which to trust yourself to ignore. Note: CeCe Lyra is a literary agent at Wendy Sherman Associates. If you’d like to query CeCe,...
Feb 19, 2026•29 min•Season 29Ep. 10
This week’s Shooting the Shit is pure publishing chaos — in the best way. CeCe and Carly swap hilariously relatable publishing pet peeves (reply-all disasters, missing phone numbers, email thread nightmares), answer listener DMs about agent offers, beauty contests, and what to do when your “yes” doesn’t feel right, and dive into real talk about author marketing budgets and industry expectations. They also unpack big publishing news — from Spotify’s new audiobook partnership to a fiery debate on ...
Feb 16, 2026•47 min
In this special Books with Hooks segment, the team sits down with author Sarah Miller-Adams to workshop her query letter for Bilateral Breathing , an upmarket, literary-leaning novel about three mid-career women in medicine on the brink of personal and professional collapse. They break down what’s working (a striking voice, emotional depth, and powerful themes) and what needs sharpening—especially clarity around plot, POV, power dynamics, and how to handle multi-POV queries. From title choices t...
Feb 12, 2026•48 min•Season 9Ep. 29
Carly and CeCe are Shooting the Sh*t About what’s driving them crazy (and cracking them up) in publishing this week — from “quiet quitting” on option books and editors who ghost, to why a brilliant nonfiction expert ultimately chose not to write a book. They unpack a refreshingly transparent breakdown of what authors really make (and spend), defend why authors deserve to promote their work without backlash, and talk about how writers should actually learn publishing in 2026 — starting with craft...
Feb 09, 2026•43 min
In part one of this week’s double author interview, Bianca sits down with executive by day and dark-fiction writer by night, Marisa Walz. They talk about her chilling debut novel ‘ Good Intentions’ and the long, emotional road it took to get there. They dive into books dying on submission, leaving agents, trusting your instincts, and what it really means to keep going after heartbreak. Marisa shares how years of failed books shaped the voice and confidence behind her debut. Next up is romance au...
Feb 05, 2026•54 min•Season 29Ep. 8
On this week’s segment of Shooting the Shit, Carly and CeCe talk about publishing layoffs, surprising Canadian bestseller stats, and a viral article questioning the state of publishing. They break down how auctions actually work, what “private” submissions really mean, and how writers can navigate paid resources without getting burned. Plus: vacation reads, TV obsessions, and why authors love signed books! Note: CeCe Lyra is a literary agent at Wendy Sherman Associates. If you’d like to query Ce...
Feb 02, 2026•41 min
In this week’s author interview, Bianca chats with debut novelist Leodora Darlington about ‘ The Exes’ , a sharp, dark psychological thriller that asks how far the past can reach into the present. Leodora shares her unconventional (and accidental!) path to publication, what it’s like querying agents while working in publishing, and why choosing the right agent matters more than choosing the first yes. They dive into craft topics including dual timelines, unreliable narrators, planting twists tha...
Jan 29, 2026•31 min•Season 29Ep. 7
In part one of this month’s bonus episode, Bianca sits down with longtime collaborators and best friends Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke to talk about ‘ The Naysayers’ , a sharp, funny, and insightful satire about negative self-talk, toxic positivity, and the stories we tell ourselves. They open up about the realities of a long publishing career—success, setbacks, agent changes, and constant pivots—and share how a deeply personal moment sparked the idea for the novel. The conversation dives into w...
Jan 26, 2026•54 min
