In today’s episode, Byron Lane joins Bianca, Carly, and CeCe to critique Books with Hooks submissions while also talking about Big Gay Wedding . During the episode, they discuss a character’s why’s; being too on the nose/predictable with plot points; the use of a foreign language; the element of surprise; weaving humour into the story; prologues that have got to go; moving between different POVs (i.e., third-person close and omniscient); choosing the biggest sucker punch POV for each scene; lite...
Aug 03, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Season 15Ep. 7
In today's bumper Bonus July Episode , we have three amazing interviews! Bianca first chats with bestselling and award-winning author, Ann Patchett, about her latest novel, Tom Lake . During the show, the two discuss how and why Ann wrote past and present as 'bleeding into one narrative' in her latest novel; when to show vs when to tell backstory; testing different ways of beginning a story before settling on the best place to start; breaking the writing rule of starting with a character despera...
Jul 31, 2023•1 hr 43 min
Today's episode is sponsored by Riverside.fm. Using the promo code TSNOTYAW offers you a 15% discount on all individual plans! Click here for more info! In today's episode, author and agent Jennifer Herrera joins Bianca, Carly, and CeCe to critique Books with Hooks submissions, and to discuss Jennifer's debut novel, The Hunter . In the episode, they discuss the challenges of starting your pages with a character waking up and being alone; the struggle of holding yourself back when sharing informa...
Jul 27, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Season 16Ep. 6
This episode is sponsored by HelloFresh. Go to www.hellofresh.com/tsnotyaw50 and use the code tsnotyaw50 for 50% off plus free shipping! In today’s episode, Kirthana Ramisetti joins Bianca, Carly, and CeCe to critique Books with Hooks submissions, while also talking about her latest novel, Advika and the Hollywood Wives . During the episode, they discuss the importance of the 'why' behind plot points; the need for external as well as internal plot points; 'seducing' the reader; mastering the rul...
Jul 20, 2023•51 min•Season 15Ep. 5
Today's episode is sponsored by Riverside.fm. Using the promo code TSNOTYAW offers you a 15% discount on all individual plans! Click here for more info! In today’s episode, M. Evelina Galang joins Bianca, Carly, and CeCe to critique Books with Hooks submissions while also talking about her short story collection, When the Hibiscus Falls . During the episode, they discuss how to connect short stories and arrange them into a collection; using setting to inform the story; zooming into plot points i...
Jul 13, 2023•53 min•Season 16Ep. 4
Today's episode is sponsored by Riverside.fm. Using the promo code TSNOTYAW offers you a 15% discount on all individual plans! Click here for more info! In today's episode, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe kick it back old school using the old classic 'Books with Hooks' format during which they discuss leaning into specificity in query letters; stating where you live when writing a query; needing a major dramatic question in a memoir; the importance of protagonist observations in a relationship-driven st...
Jul 06, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Season 16Ep. 3
Today's episode is sponsored by Riverside.fm. Using the promo code TSNOTYAW offers you a 15% discount on all individual plans! Click here for more info! In today’s episode, Sara DiVello joins Bianca, Carly, and CeCe to critique Books with Hooks submissions while also talking about her upcoming novel, Broadway Butterfly . During the episode, they discuss why Sara wanted to include certain themes, and the importance of sensitivity readers; avoiding info dumping; common social media mistakes that a...
Jun 29, 2023•48 min•Season 16Ep. 2
Today's episode is sponsored by Riverside.fm. Using the promo code TSNOTYAW offers you a 15% discount on all individual plans! Click here for more info! In today's Bonus Episode , we have two amazing author interviews! Bianca chats with returning guest Julie Carrick Dalton , author of The Last Beekeeper , about dual timelines vs flashbacks; POV strategy; writing from a place of rage vs a place of fear; including hope in your story while confronting fears; having readers absorb important informat...
Jun 26, 2023•52 min
Today's episode is sponsored by HelloFresh. Go to www.hellofrresh.com/tsnotyaw16 and use the code tsnotyaw16 for 16 free meals plus free shipping! In today’s episode, Bryn Turnbull joins Bianca, Carly, and CeCe to critique Books with Hooks submissions while also talking about The Paris Deception . During the episode, they discuss being unlucky in publishing; story inspiration; not having things too neat and tidy (coincidental); morally ambiguous women in history and writing morally ‘grey’ female...
Jun 22, 2023•49 min•Season 16Ep. 1
Today's episode is sponsored by Riverside.fm. Using the promo code TSNOTYAW offers you a 15% discount on all individual plans! Click here for more info! In today’s episode, Hazel Gaynor joins Bianca, Carly, and CeCe to critique Books with Hooks submissions while also talking about The Last Lifeboat . During the episode, they discuss different book titles in international locations; the order of paragraphs in a query letter; line-level writing with specificity and varied sentence lengths; how to ...
Jun 15, 2023•52 min•Season 14Ep. 10
Today's episode is sponsored by Riverside.fm. Using the promo code TSNOTYAW offers you a 15% discount on all individual plans! Click here for more info! In today’s episode, Laura Barrow , joins Bianca, Carly and CeCe to critique Books with Hooks submissions while also talking about Laura's debut novel, Call the Canaries Home . During the episode, they discuss doing the wrong things in a manuscript; standalone vs series novels; including too much detail in a query letter; character motivations an...
Jun 08, 2023•48 min•Season 15Ep. 9
Today's episode is sponsored by Riverside.fm. Using the promo code TSNOTYAW offers you a 15% discount on all individual plans! Click here for more info! In today’s episode, we’re rolling out a new format wherein our guest authors will help Bianca , Carly , and CeCe critique submissions. We’re starting with Carly’s client, Mai Nguyen , author of Sunshine Nails . In this episode, we discuss great query letters; YA word count ranges; world building and personal experience with the built world; crea...
Jun 01, 2023•46 min•Season 15Ep. 8
Today's episode is sponsored by HelloFresh. Go to HelloFresh dot com slash tsnotyaw16 and use code tsnotyaw16 for 16 free meals plus free shipping! In today's bumper Bonus Episode , we chat with two internationally bestselling authors in the romance genre before taking your questions and giving you comp titles. CeCe kicks us off by interviewing Carley Fortune , author of Meet Me at the Lake , about planting curiosity seeds; the editing process; the struggle with negative self-talk when writing; ...
May 29, 2023•2 hr 18 min
Today's episode is sponsored by HelloFresh. Go to HelloFresh dot com slash tsnotyaw16 and use code tsnotyaw16 for 16 free meals plus free shipping! In today’s Books With Hooks segment, Carly and CeCe each critique two submissions, discussing query length; having enough of a hook; writing style in a query letter; confusion vs curiosity in a query letter; explanatory vs curiosity seeds; putting the hook up higher in a query; starting with dialogue; and fantastic first lines and opening pages. Afte...
May 25, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Season 15Ep. 7
Today's episode is sponsored by Riverside.fm. Using the promo code TSNOTYAW offers you a 15% discount on all individual plans! Click here for more info! In today’s Books with Hooks , Carly and CeCe are joined by special guest, Traci Thomas from The Stacks podcast for a special segment focusing on non-fiction. During the segment, they discuss surprising readers in the first chapter; specificity in memoir; comping non-fiction and memoir; the use of humor in an overview; and the general layout of a...
May 18, 2023•1 hr 18 min•Season 15Ep. 6
In this short bonus episode, Bianca pays tribute to the bravery of Coceka Lubobo, a young woman who ended a serial killer's reign of terror in Orlando, Soweto. Special thanks go to: the immensely talented English actress, screenwriter and film producer, Katharine McEwan , for narrating this episode. the brilliant singer and songwriter, Daphne Willis , for composing the music for the piece. the incredible South African artist, Manuela Gray, for composing the art work. You can find them on Instagr...
May 15, 2023•15 min
This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/WRITING and get on your way to being your best self. In today’s Books with Hooks , Carly and CeCe each critique two submissions and cover topics like voice-y queries; using direct and specific terms in a query letter; selecting the right comps for the right reasons; having the query letter match what’s in the opening pages; close third-person POV; having a short and tightly written query; dual timelines vs ...
May 11, 2023•1 hr 21 min•Season 15Ep. 5
In today’s Books with Hooks segment, Bianca and guest agent, Rachel McMillan , discuss the importance of social media presence; tailoring your queries to specific agents; putting your best content forward; and word count expectations. After which, Bianca chats with Caroline Kepnes , author of the YOU series, about the charming façade of serial killers; how she created her own major in college; how Joe Goldberg is a fascinating contradiction; getting inside Joe’s head; the intentionality of setti...
May 04, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Season 15Ep. 4
In today’s Books with Hooks segment, Carly and CeCe discuss descriptive specificity; comping to famous writers; sensitivity when describing mental health and mental illness; picking the correct comps; the importance of interiority to dual narrative experience; and choosing titles that work best for you. After which, Bianca chats with J Ryan Stradal , author of Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club , about his path to publication; being a good literary citizen; standing your ground with sett...
Apr 27, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Season 15Ep. 3
In today's bumper Bonus Episode , in an incredibly emotional interview, Bianca talks with Carol Major , author of the memoir The Asparagus Wars , about the difference between cerebral writing and visceral writing; the reliability of memory; the importance of being intentional; allowing the reader to become a part of the story; creating meaning for the reader (not just the memoirist); why people read memoirs; the journey of finding the meaning of your story while writing it; dealing with the pote...
Apr 24, 2023•2 hr 36 min
This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/WRITING and get on your way to being your best self. In today’s Books with Hooks segment, Carly and Cece each critique two submissions, discussing pitching literary vs upmarket fiction; naming non-POV characters in a query letter; head-hopping, interiority and emotionality; mentioning sensitivity/authenticity readers; writing about cultures that are not your own; world building in historical fiction, world ...
Apr 20, 2023•1 hr 18 min•Season 14Ep. 2
In today’s Books With Hooks segment, Carly and Cece each critique two submissions, discussing tongue twister titles; putting a fresh spin on feminist issues; first lines that could be doing more; differentiating your own writing from original stories in retellings; ensuring important details are clarified in a query letter; making sure there’s a reason for having two heroes in a story; what happens when interiority and emotionality are missing from the pages; setting a story against the backdrop...
Apr 13, 2023•57 min•Season 14Ep. 1
This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/WRITING and get on your way to being your best self. In today's Books with Hooks , Bianca, CeCe, and Carly discuss a successful prologue; 'showing' weather rather than telling; being specific about your genre in order to find the right agent; the concept of a 'telling' prologue; breaking the 'fourth wall'; the need for an antagonist in a memoir; and storytelling as seduction. After which, Bianca interviews ...
Apr 06, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Season 14Ep. 10
In today's Books with Hooks segment, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe discuss keeping names in a query to a minimum; an 'excellent' query with opening pages that have almost no notes; the importance of having movement in opening pages; a three POV query letter; CeCe meets a prologue that she likes; using a third person bio; and the effective use of weather in opening pages. After which, Carly chats with her client, Jane Healey , author of Goodnight From Paris . They discuss her path to representation and...
Mar 30, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Season 14Ep. 9
In today's bumper Bonus Episode , Bianca chats with Amy Tector , author of three novels which have all been released in the last year, including Speak for the Dead , now available this month. They discuss finding and prioritizing writing time; rewarding ourselves for hitting our goals; working on Scrivener; respecting your work as a writer (and having others respect it); setting brain boundaries; how not writing can help your writing; how to get un-stuck when the words aren’t coming; and the imp...
Mar 27, 2023•2 hr 23 min
In today's Books with Hooks , Carly and CeCe discuss the line between YA and adult historical fiction; category mashups; plausibility of plot points; mentioning side characters in query letters; considerations when writing for younger kids; and the importance of emotionality in the pages rather than the query letter. After which, Carly chats with her client, Andrea Dunlop , author of Women Are the Fiercest Creatures , about shapeshifting manuscripts; cutting passages and the battle with backstor...
Mar 23, 2023•1 hr•Season 14Ep. 9
In today's Books with Hooks segment, Dongwon Song, an agent at Howard Morhaim Literary Agency who specializes in the sci-fi and fantasy genres, joins Bianca to look at four query letters. The two discuss the difference between sci-fi, fantasy, and speculative fiction; the very specific sub-genre of magical realism; the length of queries in sci-fi/fantasy genres; being deliberate with the limited real estate in a query, even when world building; driving forward plot at all times; the concept of l...
Mar 16, 2023•1 hr 23 min•Season 12Ep. 8
In today’s Books With Hooks, Carly and Cece co-critique two queries, discussing showing how the protagonist is propelled on their journey; dealing with major dramatic questions and stakes; dense query letters for well-worn tropes; surprises and predictability in the opening pages; line edits and synopsis-like queries; reactive protagonists vs giving your protagonist agency; “soft” women’s fiction; movement in the opening pages; and having an obviously bad love interest in the beginning of a stor...
Mar 09, 2023•57 min•Season 13Ep. 7
In today’s Books With Hooks , which is our 100th segment, Carly and CeCe each critique two queries, discussing comps; clear and compelling inciting incidents; plausibility; interiority and emotionality; the beginning, middle and end of memoirs; balancing tension and the mundane in a memoir; including social media handles with signatures; YA vs Adult; the right type of prologue; using swear words; and a request for a full manuscript! After which, Bianca chats with Eden Boudreau , author of Crying...
Mar 02, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Season 14Ep. 6
In today's jam-packed Bonus Episode , Bianca , Carly , and CeCe answer questions about whether dark novels and WWII novels have a place in the current market; when it's okay to pitch an unfinished book; how to evaluate comps through number of reviews; about liking your own comps; submitting through query tracker; writing outside of genre conventions; following up with agents; and how to distinguish omniscient POV from third person POV. After which, Carly chats with Lindsay Wong , author of Tell ...
Feb 27, 2023•1 hr 53 min
