Today’s author interview episode features two interviews! The first is with Kirsten Miller , author of The Women of Wild Hill , and the second is with Marjan Kamali , the NYT bestselling author of The Lion Women of Tehran . First up, Bianca chats with Kirsten as they delve into how fury can fuel your writing, ensuring that you keep going when staring down the blank page becomes tough. They discuss the evolution of a novel, and how its structure changes as the author begins to understand their st...
Oct 09, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Season 28Ep. 1
They’re back! Carly and CeCe are talking about all things publishing — the chaos, the business, and the fun. This week they dive into: When (and why) to hire a publicist What it really takes to make it as an agent How Ali Hazelwood & Adriana Herrera raised $1M on Kickstarter Lauren Martin’s viral Porsche essay and women owning their power Why publishing is gambling — and why that’s not news Plus, the latest newsletter gems on character building, critique, and passion projects. Mentioned: The...
Oct 06, 2025•46 min
In this episode of Books with Hooks, Carly and CeCe break down a speculative query that juggles multiple timelines and POVs. They explore the craft challenges of pitching complex narratives, from maintaining clarity to grounding readers in emotional depth. The discussion digs into how to use (or avoid) prologues, strategies for balancing ambition with accessibility, and why organization on the page—and in your query—is key to drawing agents in. With detailed feedback on both the query and openin...
Oct 02, 2025•38 min•Season 27Ep. 10
It’s bonus episode time! We’re thrilled to welcome back Emilie Sommer for her popular comps segment. But first, Bianca sits down with bestselling author Hank Phillippi Ryan to talk about her latest thriller, ‘All This Could Be Yours’. They dive into the realities of book tours, the challenges writers face in the spotlight, and the layered psychology behind her characters. Hank also shares the inspiration driving her story, her creative process, and how she balances vulnerability with the high st...
Sep 29, 2025•1 hr 6 min
Bestselling author Bianca Marais sits down with New York Times bestselling author of multiple novels, Marissa Stapley (writing as Julia McKay ) to unwrap the magic behind her latest novel, ‘ Christmas at the Ranch .’ From swoony romance and second chances to the inspiration that fueled the story, Marissa pulls back the curtain on her writing process. They dive into everything from the real-life threads woven into her characters, to the challenges of switching genres, to why physicality and authe...
Sep 25, 2025•32 min•Season 27Ep. 9
Fresh off the People of Publishing Conference in NYC, Carly and CeCe spill all the tea! From why newsletters are hotter than ever, to the high-stakes drama of book auctions, to the buzz around the creator economy—they’ve got stories, laughs, and insider tips you won’t want to miss. Networking, publishing, and plenty of laughs: this episode has it all. 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.wsh...
Sep 22, 2025•29 min
In this episode of Books with Hooks, hosts Bianca, Carly and CeCe chat with Leslie , winner of our flash fiction contest, about her query letter for a YA dystopian novel. They explore the story’s themes, how to structure a compelling query, and why tension and stakes are key. Carly and CeCe weigh in with feedback on character depth, the virus’s role in the plot, and ensuring the protagonist drives the action. The conversation drives home the power of a strong Act One to lay the groundwork for th...
Sep 18, 2025•46 min•Season 27Ep. 8
In this episode of Shooting the Shit, Carly and CeCe tackle some of publishing’s messiest realities with their usual mix of honesty and humor. They dig into the alarming trend of agents offering representation with 24-hour decision windows—and why that’s predatory. The conversation then shifts to the world of blurbs: pre-written pitches, the hidden economy of “I’ll blurb yours if you blurb mine,” and whether blurbs actually help sell books. They also break down the Anthropic settlement, explaini...
Sep 15, 2025•52 min
In this engaging conversation, Bianca interviews Danya Kukafka , the author of 'Notes on an Execution.' They discuss the inspiration behind the novel, the evolution of its story, and the intentionality behind character perspectives. Danya shares insights into her writing process, the unique narrative style of ‘Ansel’, and the importance of exploring the lives of victims. The discussion also touches on existential themes, structural frameworks, and Danya's dual role as an author and literary agen...
Sep 11, 2025•31 min•Season 27Ep. 7
In this episode of Shooting the Shit, Carly and CeCe kick things off with a little post–Labor Day catch-up before diving into the big stuff: staying sane while juggling work, life, and endless TBR piles. They tackle the rise of phishing scams targeting writers, breaking down the warning signs every author should know before signing with an agent. The conversation heats up with industry buzz—CEO shakeups, shifting sales trends, and what all this means for authors trying to stand out. Carly and Ce...
Sep 08, 2025•44 min
In this episode of Books with Hooks, literary agents Carly and CeCe get nit-picky with an almost ‘Pitch Perfect’ query submission. They offer insider tips on how this particular query grabbed their attention from the very first line. They dish on what makes a query irresistible, why killer opening pages matter, and how to nail tension and character depth—especially in the thriller genre. Whether you're drafting your first pitch or polishing your tenth, this episode is packed with must-know advic...
Sep 04, 2025•35 min•Season 27Ep. 6
In this episode of Shooting The Shit, Carly and CeCe unpack the state of today’s publishing industry—from their latest projects to upcoming conferences and the realities of writer–agent dynamics. They dig into what writers can expect from conferences, how agents sharpen their manuscript-analysis skills, and whether podcast appearances really move the needle on book sales. At the heart of the conversation: building a lasting author brand and navigating the ever-shifting publishing landscape Note:...
Sep 01, 2025•47 min
In part one of this week’s episode, Bianca sits down with bestselling author Annie Hartnett to dive into her poignant new novel, ‘The Road to Tender Hearts.’ Together, they unpack the novel’s rich themes of loss, redemption, and the beautifully messy nature of human connection. Annie shares her behind-the-scenes writing process, why voice matters more than ever, and how she balances humor with heartbreak. They also explore the magic—and challenge—of writing in an omniscient POV, plus the persona...
Aug 28, 2025•56 min•Season 27Ep. 5
In part one of August’s Bonus Episode, Bianca connects with debut author Jo Morey. In this vibrant conversation, Jo opens up about her novel ‘ Lime Juice Money’, sharing the winding road to publication and the intricacies of the editing process. Jo dives into the unique challenge—and opportunity—of writing from the perspective of a protagonist with a hearing impairment, offering a powerful look at voice, perspective, and representation. She also reflects on her writing routine, the art of crafti...
Aug 25, 2025•57 min
In this episode of Books with Hooks, hosts Bianca, Carly, and CeCe dive into a query for the historical mystery ‘A Body at Rest' , exploring the impact of its title, the clarity of its plot threads, and how well the characters’ interiority comes through. They also assess the effectiveness of the prologue and discuss how to strengthen character development. Later, CeCe introduces a second query—this time for an epic fantasy—which sparks a conversation about what makes a strong pitch and where wri...
Aug 21, 2025•39 min•Season 27Ep. 4
CeCe drops big news—she’s joining Wendy Sherman Associates! Carly and CeCe dive into what it means for her clients, how agency moves work behind the scenes, and the one question every querying writer should be asking. They also pull back the curtain on what publishers try to sneak into contracts when authors don’t have agents (spoiler: it can stall your career), debate whether “referrals” in query letters really help, and unpack shocking sales figures that reveal how publishing runs on a venture...
Aug 18, 2025•50 min
In part one of this week’s episode, Bianca sits down with the legendary bestselling author Karin Slaughter to talk about all things dark, twisty, and utterly gripping in her latest novel, ‘ We Are All Guilty Here .’ From building immersive worlds to crafting characters that leap off the page, Karin gives us a behind-the-scenes look at her writing process—including the real work of research and the power of planting those irresistible “curiosity seeds” that keep readers hooked. She also opens up ...
Aug 14, 2025•54 min•Season 27Ep. 3
This week on Shooting the Shit, Carly and CeCe are back with a no-holds-barred convo on everything rocking the publishing world. They dive into how hustle culture is burning us all out, why summer feels like a weird limbo for book launches, and what it really means when authors get assistants. Plus: AI is creeping into publishing (yep, we’re talking about it), romance novels are sparking cultural shifts, and the kid lit market is facing big changes. It’s all about adapting, evolving, and survivi...
Aug 11, 2025•45 min
In this special episode of Books with Hooks, Carly and CeCe are joined by debut author Bryce Thomas to dive into his query letter for ‘ Barracuda and the Buddha !’ Get ready for a lively discussion filled with craft insights, as they break down what’s working—and what’s not—in Bryce’s pitch. From the sparks flying between Peter and Georgie to the emotional stakes that keep readers turning pages, this episode is all about nailing character dynamics and storytelling voice. The trio also chats abou...
Aug 07, 2025•47 min•Season 27Ep. 2
In this episode of ‘Shooting the Shit’ , Carly and CeCe dive into the juicy, unfiltered side of publishing. From the surge in dark romance to how women are being written—and writing themselves—into new spaces, they explore the evolving landscape of literature with wit and insight. They also get personal about reading slumps, dissect the pressures of author branding, and question how social media is reshaping the way we see (and judge) writers. Plus, they pull back the curtain on what editors are...
Aug 04, 2025•52 min
In this episode, debut author Melissa O’Connor takes us behind the scenes of her publishing journey with ‘ The One and Only Vivian Stone .’ She shares how her query letter evolved, what it was like navigating the submission process, and the pivotal decision to restructure the manuscript with a dual timeline. Melissa opens up about weaving romance and mystery into her story, the role of character relationships, and how agent and editor feedback shaped the final book. Tune in for an inspiring conv...
Jul 31, 2025•28 min•Season 27Ep. 1
In part one of July’s bonus episode, Bianca sits down with debut author Jacqueline Faber for a thoughtful and inspiring conversation. With a rich academic background and a diverse writing portfolio, Jacqueline shares her path to publication and the creative decisions that shaped her novel, ‘The Department’ . They explore the emotional challenges of receiving feedback, the intentional design of the book’s narrative structure, and the nuanced process of character development. Jacqueline also offer...
Jul 28, 2025•53 min
In this exciting episode of Books with Hooks, debut author Tali Shammas steps into the spotlight to share her query letter for her genre-blending novel ‘ The Color of Blood’ —a bold mix of horror, romance, and razor-sharp feminist themes. The hosts dive into an engaging discussion on social justice in fiction, the power of a strong hook, and how to clearly define your audience. They dissect the manuscript’s opening pages, exploring tone, character depth, and what makes a first line unforgettable...
Jul 24, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 26Ep. 10
Get ready for a brand-new segment with Carly and CeCe that dives into the juiciest side of publishing! In this fun, freewheeling episode, they spill the tea on industry gossip, break down the latest trends—like the dark rom-com craze—and dish on this year’s bestselling books. Plus, they share smart, no-fluff advice on social media strategies for authors, and why staying authentic online might just be your secret weapon. It’s insightful, unfiltered, and totally binge-worthy. Note: Carly Watters a...
Jul 21, 2025•32 min
In this week’s episode, Bianca connects with novelist Laura Resau. Laura provides an insightful outlook regarding her transition from writing for young audiences to authoring her inaugural adult novel, ‘ The Alchemy of Flowers.’ She offers profound insights into her writing methodology, emphasizing the criticality of a persuasive query letter and the impact of title revisions in the publishing domain. Furthermore, Laura addresses the complexities inherent in genre fusion, the elaborate nature of...
Jul 17, 2025•31 min•Season 26Ep. 9
In this episode of Books with Hooks, literary agents Carly and CeCe return with insightful feedback on query letters, focusing on commercial women’s fiction and book club fiction. They celebrate Bianca’s exciting book launch and dive deep into the craft of storytelling—discussing character development, emotional resonance, and the vital role of originality in fiction. This episode also highlights the importance of clearly conveying conflict and stakes in query letters, offering practical tips fo...
Jul 10, 2025•42 min•Season 26Ep. 8
In this engaging conversation, Bianca interviews debut author Lidija Hilje. Her articles and essays were published in the New York Times, and other outlets. She runs a book club for writers with a membership of close to 100, and is an active member of the WFWA.The authors discuss her novel 'Slanting Towards the Sea,' exploring themes of literary citizenship, the writing process, and the emotional depth of her characters. Lidija shares her journey from being a book coach to a published author, th...
Jul 03, 2025•26 min•Season 26Ep. 7
In part one of this month’s bonus episode, Bianca Marais chats with New York Times bestselling author Lucy Foley about her shift from historical fiction to gripping thrillers. They dive into the essential role of setting, atmosphere, and character development in her novels, and Lucy shares how she builds suspense and keeps readers guessing with techniques like unreliable narrators and meticulous editing. In part two, CeCe Lyra sits down with Dr. Courtney Tracy , a.k.a. ‘The Truth Doctor’ , for a...
Jun 30, 2025•1 hr 3 min
In this exciting episode of Books with Hooks, Bianca , CeCe , and Carly sit down with Casey , winner of the Masana Literary Project Fundraiser, to chat about her debut novel, ‘ The Break of Light .’ The hosts dive deep into Casey’s query letter, unpacking the story’s emotional layers, compelling plot, and rich character dynamics. CeCe and Carly offer sharp insights on upping the narrative stakes—with tips on mastering causality, embracing messy emotions, and building a vivid, believable world. F...
Jun 26, 2025•36 min•Season 26Ep. 6
In this inspiring interview, Bianca connects with debut author Aisling Rawle and dives into ‘ The Compound’ —a dark, gripping tale set in the twisted world of reality TV. She opens up about her unconventional path to publishing, the pivotal role her literary agent played, and the novel’s central themes of desire, materialism, and social critique. Aisling unpacks her approach to character development and reflects on the lasting influence of Orwell’s ‘ Animal Farm’ on her work. From creative inspi...
Jun 19, 2025•30 min•Season 22Ep. 5
