This week on Books with Hooks, Bianca , Carly , and CeCe break down two standout queries—and what they get right (and wrong). First up: a UK-set enemies-to-lovers romance featuring a disgraced chef, a fallen influencer, and a double-booked garden plot. The hosts talk about query length, POV clarity, influencer culture on the page, and whether surface-level charm is enough to sustain romantic tension. Then: a YA fantasy revenge story about an angel hunting her human ex-lover after a brutal betray...
Jan 22, 2026•44 min•Season 29Ep. 6
In this week’s episode, Carly and CeCe chat a little bit about everything from unreliable memories and heated hockey romance TV shows to what they’d actually change if they had a magic wand over the publishing industry. They dive into big, bold industry wishes—higher pay across publishing, transparency around marketing budgets, no taxes on books, better royalties, fact-checking nonfiction, escrow accounts for advances, and more competition among publishers. It’s candid, nerdy, opinionated, and e...
Jan 19, 2026•53 min
In this week’s double author interview, Bianca sits down with New York Times bestselling author Simone St. James to talk about her chilling new novel, ‘ A Box Full of Darkness’ —a return to the eerie town of Fell that readers of ‘ The Sundown Motel’ will lose their minds over. Simone reveals how a single idea—children playing hide-and-seek and one never returning—sparked a locked-room mystery layered with trauma, memory, and supernatural suspense. She shares why she loves writing in the ’80s, ho...
Jan 15, 2026•58 min•Season 29Ep. 5
In this week’s Shooting the Shit, Carly and CeCe ring in the new year by talking about words of the year, habits vs. goals, and what ease might actually look like in 2026. They also dive into what really goes into selling books, including a fascinating editor breakdown of the hardest—and easiest—genres to publish in fiction and nonfiction. Plus, they answer a big community question about whether which agent you have actually affects your book deal (spoiler: yes). Note: CeCe Lyra is a literary ag...
Jan 12, 2026•40 min
In this episode, Bianca , Carly , and CeCe welcome writer Rhiannon Harvey for an in-depth Books with Hooks critique. Rhiannon reads her polished query for ‘ Mara’s Call’ , a speculative YA mystery set on a fog-shrouded New England island where the sea whispers secrets—and a girl’s family history refuses to stay buried. The hosts discuss tightening hooks, anchoring motivations, crafting atmospheric titles, and deepening interiority to strengthen character connection. They also dig into market pos...
Jan 08, 2026•44 min•Season 29Ep. 4
The money talk continues. In Part Two of this no-BS publishing deep dive, Carly and CeCe tackle what really happens after you sign a deal—from how advances are actually paid (spoiler: it takes a while), to whether two-book deals are a smart move, how much authors should spend on marketing and PR, and if believing your book has million-dollar potential is confidence or delusion. They break down genre trends, celebrity “promotions,” agent income realities, and why publishing is equal parts strateg...
Jan 05, 2026•33 min
In this week’s double author interview episode, Carly sits down with Katie Bernet , author of the wildly buzzed-about YA thriller ‘Beth Is Dead’ — a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection that has already earned three starred reviews (Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, and Shelf Awareness). Katie shares the story behind her explosive debut: a modern, twisty, murder-mystery reimagining of ‘ Little Women’ where Beth doesn’t die of illness… She's found murdered on page one. If you love smart thriller...
Jan 01, 2026•1 hr 2 min•Season 29Ep. 3
In our final bonus episode of 2025, we uncover what really happens inside a literary agency. This week, we’re giving you a fly-on-the-wall look at a real agent meeting. CeCe is joined by fellow agents from Wendy Sherman Associates to talk trends, romantasy, cover reveals, editor movement, author marketing pressure, and what agents actually do after a book sells. Honest, funny, and packed with insider insight—this is publishing, unfiltered. Don’t miss our final comps for 2025 with Emilie Sommers!...
Dec 29, 2025•1 hr 40 min
In this festive episode, Bianca , Carly , and CeCe unwrap two juicy query critiques! First up: — a whodunit-meets-reality-TV mashup where The Bachelor collides with Death on the Nile . The trio dishes on comps overload, missing love stories, and why “cozy romance” needs more than vibes. Then, a chilling turn with a literary horror set in Alaska. CeCe and Carly dive deep into what makes tension work (hint: clarity, specificity, and stakes), plus a few laughs over maps, marriage, and misfires. Not...
Dec 25, 2025•42 min•Season 29Ep. 2
Money. Advances. Royalties. Envy. Agenting. In this no-holds-barred part one episode, Carly and CeCe crack open the money conversations writers are told not to have—and answer your most anonymous, anxiety-inducing questions about the business of publishing. From six-figure deal myths and what “earning out” actually means, to whether writing can be a job, how agents think about money, and why publishing is basically institutionalized gambling, nothing is off-limits. Honest, data-driven, funny, an...
Dec 22, 2025•38 min
On this week’s episode, Bianca chats with Belfast-born writer Gráinne O’Hare , author of the hilarious, tender, and irresistibly relatable debut novel ‘ Thirst Trap’ . They discuss the evolution of Thirst Trap —from messy drafts to its final form, capturing the chaos, grief, and wild nights of your 20s, writing nuanced female friendships, crafting authentic dialogue, balancing “quiet” storytelling with real emotional stakes and so much more! If you love coming-of-age stories with humor, heart, a...
Dec 18, 2025•30 min•Season 29Ep. 1
Do agents talk about your queries behind the scenes? 👀 In this episode of Shooting the Shit , Carly and CeCe kick things off with winter sadsies, Brazilian brigadeiros, and an advent-calendar scandal before diving into the real talk writers need. They break down whether agents share queries with each other, if comping an agent’s own clients helps or hurts your chances, and what it really means when your work appears on Books with Hooks . Plus: big publishing investment news, female-led powerhou...
Dec 15, 2025•47 min
In this week’s Books with Hooks, Carly and CeCe dig into two thought-provoking queries — one about addiction and redemption, the other about love, power, and self-worth. They unpack why “quiet” stories can still grab attention, how to balance A and B plots in romance, and why tension and character depth are everything. Tune in for sharp agent insights, story surgery, and a few laugh-out-loud moments along the way. Note: Cece Lyra is a literary agent at Wendy Sherman Associates. If you’d like to ...
Dec 11, 2025•39 min•Season 28Ep. 10
In this week’s Shooting the Shit , Carly and CeCe dive into the chaos that is publishing in December—best-of-year lists, midlist “bestsellers,” AI anxiety, and the eternal question: Are books becoming luxury items?! They unpack fresh sales stats, why returns matter more than you think, real talk about authors’ AI fears, and the emotional rollercoaster of watching everyone post their “Best of 2025” wrap-ups. Plus: industry gossip, beauty-episode fantasies, and a viral Instagram carousel that EVER...
Dec 08, 2025•36 min
In this episode, Carly welcomes her co-writing clients Tracy Dobmeier and Wendy Katzman — authors of ‘ 10,000 Light Years from OK’ — to talk about their heartfelt, writer-centric sophomore novel. If you love stories about love, hope, courage, and the wild coincidences that make us believe in something bigger… this one’s for you. ‘ 10,000 Light Years from OK’ is out now — grab your copy and tune in! Note: CeCe Lyra is a literary agent at Wendy Sherman Associates. If you’d like to query CeCe, plea...
Dec 04, 2025•37 min•Season 28Ep. 9
Carly and CeCe are back—one in snowy Canada, one in flower-crown Hawaii—and they’re diving into burnout, the business of books, and the spicy gossip that only happens at publishing conferences. The dynamic duo cover everything from agent burnout, the power of booksellers and more conference chaos. You don’t want to miss this week’s episode! Can you spot the Easter eggs Carly and CeCe drop? Take a listen here or watch it on YouTube! Note: CeCe Lyra is a literary agent at Wendy Sherman Associates....
Dec 01, 2025•37 min
In this Books with Hooks episode, Bianca , Carly , and CeCe dig into two submissions—a YA fantasy query and a memoir/nonfiction hybrid. They unpack why centering a protagonist matters, how to sharpen specificity in quests, what makes prologues succeed (or fail), and why memoir queries need a clear narrative arc. Expect candid advice on worldbuilding, dialogue, experimental structures, and how to position your author bio so agents take notice. EPISODE UPDATE: Dear TSNOTYAWers, We recently made th...
Nov 27, 2025•22 min•Season 28Ep. 8
In part one of November’s bonus episode, bestselling author Patricia Sands joins Bianca to share how she started writing at 65, indie-pubbed her way to being approached by Amazon’s Lake Union, and built a devoted readership along the way. They chat about writing for joy, setting publishing goals for yourself, the pros and cons of indie vs traditional publishing, and her new novel The French Effect — a heartwarming Paris-at-Christmas tale full of charm, tango, and second chances. And don’t miss E...
Nov 24, 2025•52 min
In part one of this week’s author interview, CeCe Lyra connects with clinical psychologist, couples therapist, and bestselling author Dr. Tracy Dalgleish to talk about her new book ‘ You, Your Husband and His Mother’ —a candid look at one of the biggest sources of relationship tension: in-laws. It’s a conversation about courage, creativity, and the messy beauty of human connection—plus a peek behind the curtain of the book world. In part two of this week’s episode, CeCe chats with Dr. Jonathan M...
Nov 20, 2025•1 hr 19 min•Season 28Ep. 7
CeCe’s in island mode, Carly’s snowed in—and the publishing chat is heating up. From lost luggage and red-eye flights to turning down book deals and navigating TV/film rights, this week’s episode covers it all. Plus: AI pitch letters (hard no!), why Harper Collins’ “bad quarter” matters, and a little optimism for the analog future of reading. ☀️ Books, beaches, and big opinions—just another week of Shooting the Shit. Note: CeCe Lyra is a literary agent at Wendy Sherman Associates. If you’d like ...
Nov 17, 2025•25 min
Carly and CeCe are back (with a little Blue Jays banter to start) to dive into two fresh query letters. In this episode, the hosts critique a historical novel featuring Shakespeare, conspiracies, and metafiction—but does the query overshare and under-pitch? Next up is a campus-set thriller with book clubs, murder, and female rage—great hook, but are the comps and execution hitting the right notes? It’s a hilarious episode you don’t want to miss! Note: CeCe Lyra is a literary agent at Wendy Sherm...
Nov 13, 2025•44 min•Season 28Ep. 6
Carly’s reporting live from Los Angeles and CeCe’s just back from a rom-com-gone-wrong trip to Ottawa (complete with flight chaos and airport bathroom glam). From bribing airline staff with books to rolling up to Netflix, the travel stories are top-tier comedy. Then they dive into Hollywood talk — what’s actually getting adapted from page to screen, why short stories are suddenly hot IP, and how TV’s craving “guys with guns solving problems.” Plus, they tackle listener DMs! Fun, funny, and full ...
Nov 10, 2025•40 min
Author and agent Jenna Satterthwaite joins Bianca to talk about her new thriller ‘ The New Year’s Party’ , a murder mystery packed with secrets, friendship, and chaos. Jenna opens up about her 800+ rejections, writing through grief, finding joy in storytelling, and why she’s radically transparent about money and publishing. Tune in for real talk about persistence, transparency, and the messy beauty of creative life. Note: Cece Lyra is a literary agent at Wendy Sherman Associates. If you’d like t...
Nov 06, 2025•29 min•Season 28Ep. 5
They are back! CeCe’s in Ottawa, Carly’s in LA — but the tea is still hot! They break down Q3 book sales (romance + thrillers took a hit), talk timing for submissions, decode what agent feedback really means, and dive into the “good news comes fast” myth. Plus: AI scam alerts and why rejection is just part of the game. 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.wsherman.com. Carly Watters is a lit...
Nov 03, 2025•44 min
In this episode of Books with Hooks , Carly and CeCe hold down the fort while Bianca is away—and things get delightfully silly. The duo dig into two very different query letters. First up, a reality-TV-inspired contemporary romance about a bisexual woman who falls for siblings on a dating show. Carly and CeCe discuss the strength of the hook, the pitfalls of coincidences, and why adding depth and critique of celebrity culture can make these stories stand out. Lastly a cli-fi mystery set in the h...
Oct 30, 2025•49 min•Season 28Ep. 4
In this month’s bonus episode, award-winning author Amber McBride joins Bianca to talk about ‘ The Leaving Room’ — a YA novel in verse that unfolds entirely in the space between life and death. Amber opens up about losing and reclaiming her voice, the power of poetry to hold emotion, and what it means to write from the liminal spaces of grief and love. A mesmerizing conversation about craft, courage, and creating beauty out of silence. Tune in to this special October bonus episode — and let ‘ Th...
Oct 27, 2025•27 min
This week on the podcast (listen to it here or watch it on YouTube !), Bianca interviews Hannah Mary McKinnon about her latest thriller, A Killer Motive . They delve into the intricacies of character development, the importance of collaboration in the writing process, and the challenges authors face in the ever-evolving landscape of publishing. Hannah shares her unique approach to creating realistic characters through detailed questionnaires, and discusses the emotional journey of writing and pu...
Oct 23, 2025•27 min•Season 28Ep. 3
It’s Fall in publishing — which means colds, caffeine, and chaos. Carly and CeCe catch up after a whirlwind few weeks to unpack two hot topics from listener DMs: what to do if your agent ghosts you , and what editors really mean when they say “sales aren’t good.” They also get into whether publishing is truly a “retail business,” how to handle AALA membership questions, and whether pitch contests are still worth it. Get comfy and join them for some honest, funny, and unfiltered talk about the me...
Oct 20, 2025•28 min
In this episode of Books with Hooks, author Judith Jaeger puts her query letter for ‘The Family We Choose’ in the spotlight. Carly and CeCe dig into what makes a query stand out—clear plot points, layered characters, and that all-important balance between heart and momentum.They offer practical feedback on sharpening present-day stakes and tightening narrative structure, before turning to Judith’s opening pages. With plenty of praise for her writing voice, they also share tips to boost reader en...
Oct 16, 2025•45 min•Season 28Ep. 2
In this episode, Carly and CeCe spill all on their latest conference adventures, dive into the fast-changing world of digital-first publishing, and tackle the tricky art of managing client expectations. They get real about ethics in the industry, read some juicy listener DMs, and share why communication is everything in this competitive publishing game. 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.w...
Oct 13, 2025•34 min
