Bianca Marais+

✨The Biggest Mistakes Authors Make in the Query Trenches; Meet Your Dream Agent; & How Writing Long Sentences Can Save Your WIP✨

Plus, are you fully harnessing the power of place? And can you turn overthinking into a distinctive writing voice?

✨The Modern Guide to Querying Literary Agents. Plus, Mapping Out Your Revisions✨

Also, we have three incredible author interviews this week!

Author Insights From Hank Phillippi Ryan, Laura Moriarty and Linwood Barclay

In part one of this week’s packed episode Bianca Marais chats with thriller powerhouse Hank Phillippi Ryan, they unpack the craft behind ‘Mother, Daughter, Sister, Stranger’, from writing an unforgettable prologue to building relentless suspense through curiosity, ticking clocks, and emotional stakes. Hank shares why panic is an essential part of her writing process, how reading ambitious novels pushes her to take bigger creative risks, and why grounding readers in a character's emotional journey is the key to making every twist land. Next up is Laura Moriarty to discuss the craft behind ‘Sun

✨Query Critiques Inside! Plus, Writing for Today's Audience; Not Giving Up; & Meeting Your Dream Agent✨

Also, what do birdhouses have to do with creative writing?

Shooting the Shit About Author Events and Memoitd That Sell

Carly and CeCe are back for another Shooting the Shit, digging into the latest publishing news—from what’s changing with local author events to encouraging new sales numbers across the industry. They also spotlight editor Whitney Frick and unpack what makes a memoir truly resonate, why fact-checking ultimately falls on the author, and the difference between simply recounting what happened and finding the emotional truth behind an experience. As mentioned on the podcast: https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/books/whitney-frick-belle-burden-amy-griffin-dial-press-f67fc87 https://www.bookforum.com/

✨Fight Club on the Podcast; & Defying the Algorithm. Plus, a Behind-the-Scenes Look at How an Agent and Author Work Together✨

And how even difficult feedback can be a gift!

Fight! Fight! Fight!

This week on Books with Hooks, CeCe, Carly, and Bianca critique two submissions: a literary LGBTQ novel centered on the closure of a rural queer bar and the buried trauma tied to its history, and an upmarket dual-timeline novel set within Guadalajara's expat community, where old secrets and unresolved love collide decades later. Along the way, they discuss choosing stronger comp titles, balancing mystery with clarity in query letters, crafting irresistible hooks, building tension across dual timelines, and why specificity—not vagueness—is what truly keeps readers turning the page. They also di

✨A Query Letter That Got 47 Full Requests; Three Good Reasons Not to Take Writing Advice; & Is Plot Really the Problem?✨

Plus, how authors can choose not to be on social media. And The Serious Writer's Essential Workbook!

Query Critiques July 2026

OA- Upmarket fiction

Shooting The Shit About Cancelled Auctions and AI Inevitability

Carly and CeCe are back to unpack another messy week in publishing, from a headline-making cancelled book auction and growing concerns over AI accusations to the urgent need for clearer industry guidelines around AI use. They dig into who should be responsible for setting those rules, why authors deserve more transparency, and the risks of relying on AI detection tools. Plus, they discuss alternative publishing models, the rise of no-advance deals, and the increasingly sophisticated scams targeting authors. As mentioned on the podcast (please copy and paste the URL into your browser): https:

✨CeCe's Writing Tension Course Now Features The Acquisitions Pipeline! Plus, Healthy Writing Habits to Cultivate✨

Also, don't doubt that you're still a writer even during periods of creative silence...

Author Insights From Chris Bohjalian, Bailey Hannah and Tara DeWitt

In part one of this week’s episode, Bianca Maraias sits down with bestselling author Chris Bohjalian to discuss ‘The Amateur’. Don’t miss this incredibly insightful interview that touches on voice, tension, and emotional storytelling. They explore how to create deeply flawed yet unforgettable characters, use specificity to reveal backstory without slowing the narrative, and build suspense through foreshadowing and structure. Chris also shares why he wrote the novel in just 90 days, how he balances first-person narration with psychological depth, and why action—not exposition—is often the stron

✨Query Critiques Inside! Plus, The Difference Between Having a Platform and Creating Content; & A Bad Idea Masquerading as a Good One✨

Also, we have a stellar Meet Your Dream Agent profile!

STS aug 3

They are back! On this week’s episode of Shooting the Shit, Carly and CeCe tackle some of the biggest conversations in publishing, from the rise of AI detection controversies to the ethics of literary agent services. They discuss the recent ‘Atlantic’ article accusing a bestselling author of using AI, why unreliable detection tools can have serious consequences, and what transparency should look like in publishing. They also unpack major changes to the AALA Canon of Ethics, including editorial services, referral fees, and what these updates could mean for authors. Plus, they answer a listener'

✨All About Fantasy Virtual Retreat; & Unlikable or Just Honest and Complex? Plus, When Consistency Can Be Counterproductive✨

Also, the Beta Reader Match Up registrations are open! And if you're an agent, we'd love to profile you!

Worldbuilding Without Confusing Readers

In this week’s Books with Hooks episode, CeCe, Carly, and Bianca critique two submissions: an upmarket coming-of-age novel about a teen questioning evangelical purity culture and a speculative romance set in a matriarchal future society. The discussion touches on the importance of specificity in query letters, balancing character and plot, choosing the right title, and clearly establishing a protagonist’s place in the world. The hosts also explore the challenges of pitching memoir-inspired fiction, worldbuilding in speculative novels, and how curiosity, tension, and interiority keep readers in

✨Lying to Agents When Querying👀; & What 'High Concept' Really Means. Plus, Meet Your Dream Agent✨

Also, why setting matters just as much as plot or character!

July Bonus episode

In this month’s bonus episode, Rachel Hochhauser joins CeCe Lyra to discuss her debut, Lady Tremaine, an untelling of Cinderella from the infamous stepmother's perspective. Rachel shares how personal tragedy reignited her writing career, why she believes there are no hard rules in storytelling, and how she blended pantsing with plotting to create a layered, emotionally resonant novel. She also dives into the craft behind her unforgettable opening and ending, the surprising inspiration for the book's falconry, and the lessons she learned on the long road to publication—including why critiquing

✨The Writing Trick That Landed Five Agent Offers. Plus, Meet the Hosts in Calgary Next Month! ✨

Also, thriving as a multilane writer. And how a good agent can help you position your writing!

The Writing Trick That Landed Five Agents Offers

In this week’s episode, Bianca Marais interviews, bestselling author Molly Fader, to discuss her latest novel, ‘Lady X’, and shares the surprising publishing journey behind it—including parting ways with a longtime agent, refining the perfect logline, and finding representation with a new agent who championed the book. Molly talks about dual timelines, ensemble casts, prologues, and the challenge of balancing multiple storylines. The interview also explores themes of female rage, generational change, activism, and how real-world events inspired a story about women refusing to stay silent. Not

Shooting The Shit *LIVE* with Carly and CeCe - Summer Edition

A recording from Carly Watters's live video

✨Rethinking Your Querying Process; & Taking Time Out to Reset. Plus, Meet Your Dream Agent & Query Critiques Inside!✨

Also, adapting a novel for a screenplay. And how flawed characters make for the best love stories.

Shooting the Shit About The Life and Death of Critical Thinking

In this week’s episode of Shooting the Shit, Carly and CeCe are back and here to unpack a thought-provoking article on the future of reading, discussing how declining literacy, AI, and changing media habits are reshaping the publishing world. They talk about the surprising economics of cookbook publishing, why big advances don't always mean big profits, and what authors should know about production costs. Finally, they explore why publishers prize debut novels, how publishing really makes decisions, and why understanding the industry's business model can help writers build longer, more resilie

✨Beginning With the Three Cs; & Creative Marketing Strategies for Introverts✨

Don't miss this week's Books with Hooks, and registrations for the next Beta Reader Match Up are open!

Beginning With The Three Cs

This week’s Books with Hooks features two very different manuscripts. Carly, CeCe and Bianca discuss a dual-timeline second-chance romance that struggles with stakes, emotional depth, and page-one vulnerability, before diving into an upmarket novel about an adopted Nigerian woman searching for her identity. Along the way, they unpack query structure, interiority, curiosity, and why readers need to feel a character’s messy emotions from the very first page. Note: CeCe Lyra is a literary agent at Wendy Sherman Associates. If you’d like to query CeCe, please refer to the submission guidelines a

✨Nothing Works Unless You Do; & What Are Chiastic Novels? Plus, Meet Your Dream Agent; & Crafting Compelling Stories✨

Also, we give you a sneak preview of the Apple TV series, Lucky!

Shooting the Shit With Special Guest Alia Hanna Habib

This week on Shooting the Shit, CeCe Lyra welcomes literary agent and author Alia Hanna Habib to discuss her new book, ‘Take It From Me: An Agent’s Guide to Building a Nonfiction Writing Career from Scratch.’ CeCe and Alia talk about her journey from agent to author, the surprising realities of writing a book, and why you don’t have to draft in order to finish a manuscript. They also unpack the latest publishing news, including a new romance imprint, shifting acquisition trends, and what AI may mean for nonfiction publishing. Plus, they answer listener questions on co-authoring, ghostwriters,

✨Reframing the 'Bad First Draft' & The Realities of Writing Part Time vs. Full Time✨

Plus, two Books With Hooks authors are interviewed in this week's podcast. And we give you a preview of Marissa Stapley's Lucky!

The First Guest on Books With Hooks is Publishing! & The Protagonist as an Outsider

In part one of this week’s episode, Bianca Marais chats with debut author Ruth Newton about the journey from being the very first Books with Hooks guest to publishing her novel, ‘The Carrier’. Ruth shares how a chance glimpse of a truck sparked the book’s high-concept premise, why speculative fiction gave her the freedom to explore complex emotional themes, and how competitions, deadlines, and feedback helped shape her path to publication. They discuss worldbuilding, working through major editorial revisions, balancing concept with character, and the fascinating real-world science behind the n

✨All About Overcoming Rejection. Plus, Meet Your Dream Agent; & Query Critiques Inside!✨

Also, when are you allowed to start calling yourself a writer?

Query Critiques June 2026

BN - Western horror

Shooting the Shit About Trends—And Why You Do And Don't Need Them Solo Episode With Carly

What are publishing trends really, and should writers chase them? In this solo episode, Carly Watters pulls back the curtain on how literary agents think about trends, explaining the difference between market, pop culture, technology, and social trends—and why understanding them matters more than trying to write the next big thing. Carly also answers listener questions about a literary agent's day-to-day, managing submission anxiety, and whether agents scout writers through literary journals. Plus, Carly shares an exclusive lesson from ‘The Author's Publishing Playbook’ on how trends rise, pea

✨To Compromise or Not to Compromise? Plus, The Strategic Pivot✨

Don't miss this week's Books with Hooks. And we share the transcript of Teddy Wayne's interview.

Leveraging Surprise and Disruption

In this week’s Books with Hooks episode, Carly and CeCe critique two speculative fiction submissions—one a chilling Appalachian horror and the other a YA romantic fantasy. They discuss the importance of giving protagonists compelling reasons for their choices, balancing atmosphere with plot, and ensuring readers understand what’s at stake from the very beginning. The conversation explores how curiosity, motivation, and surprise drive strong openings, while also highlighting the power of distinctive voice, memorable imagery, and emotionally resonant stakes. Note: CeCe Lyra is a literary agent

June Bonus Episode

In this month's bonus episode, bestselling author Jenny Jackson connects with literary agent CeCe Lyra to discuss the challenges of writing a second novel, balancing reader expectations, and finding confidence in the creative process. Jenny and CeCe explore character-driven storytelling, the ethics of drawing from real life, and the themes of friendship, marriage, parenthood, and growing up that shape ‘The Shampoo Effect.’ Plus, Jenny shares insights into crafting memorable characters, revealing backstory, and why sometimes the biggest twists are the ones you can’t talk about. Due to technica

✨Meet Your Dream Agent; Why Certain Books Boom and Others Don't; & The Quilting Writing Process✨

Plus, why writing can get more difficult the further your career progresses.

✨How Using “Improv Brain” Makes You a Better, Funnier Writer. Plus, Quantity is the Key to Quality✨

Don't miss this week's Books with Hooks, and there's still time to sign up for CeCe's course!

It's The Rewriting That Makes You An Author

Author and NPR producer Haili Blassingame joins Bianca Marais to discuss her debut novel, ‘They All Fall in Love in the End', a bold exploration of love, non-monogamy, identity, and self-discovery. Haili shares how her own experience in an open relationship inspired the story, how a viral essay led to finding an agent, and why learning to revise transformed her from a writer into an author. The conversation dives into crafting complex, “unlikable” yet compelling characters, using fiction as a way to interrogate political and personal realities, and the importance of sensitivity to readers when

✨Another Meet Your Dream Agent Shares a Near-Perfect Query. Plus, Query Critiques Inside; & How to Be 'Your Best Sweet-Spot Boss' So You Actually Write Your Novel✨

Plus, struggling through the dreaded middle, and having something new and shiny in the wings. And there's still time to sign up for CeCe's class!

Shooting the Shit About AI Reading Companions and Debriefing Last Week's Episode

This week, on Shooting the Shit Carly and CeCe unpack their conversation with best-selling author Andi Bartz and dive deeper into the growing role of AI in publishing. They discuss a listener's candid confession about using AI during the research and drafting process, the fear and uncertainty many writers are feeling, and how transparency and trust factor into agent-author relationships. The conversation also explores new AI-powered reading tools from Google Play Books and Storytel, raising questions about whether technology can ever replace the human connection that makes reading. Note: CeCe

✨Embracing the Zero Draft; & Living Your Life Until You Absolutely Have to Write✨

Plus, there's still time to sign up for CeCe's course!

Finding the Heart of the Story

In this Books with Hooks segment, Bianca, CeCe, and Carly critique a memoir query about parenting a child with Down syndrome, emphasizing that while emotionally powerful, it lacks a clear hook, market positioning, and defined narrative arc—and may not yet function as a full memoir. They stress the importance of framing personal experience in a way that’s compelling to readers, with strong stakes, structure, and deeper interiority on the page. In contrast, a medical AI thriller query is praised for its sharp concept and stakes, with notes on refining the central conflict and strengthening the o

✨A Near-Perfect Query Letter; & Meet Your Dream Agent. Plus, Avoiding Writing Emotionally Flat Scenes; & Returning to the Query Trenches After a Ton of Rejection✨

Also, the two hardest phases of writing. And a request to support Andrea Bartz, the queen of literary citizenship!

✨From High-Concept Pitch to Synopsis: How to Plan Your Book Step-by-Step (Even If You’re a Pantser!)✨

Plus effective strategies for coping with imposter syndrome. And don't forget to sign up for CeCe's latest course!

Writing Dialogue That Carries the Entire Scene and How Voice Can Make or Break Your Novel

In part one of this week’s double author interview, Carly Watters sits down with debut author Lara Stokes to discuss her novel ‘Midsummer Nights’ — a contemporary, theater-filled spin on William Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. Lara opens up about querying during COVID, the memoir and “drawer novel” that came before her debut, and how writing the book “just for fun” ultimately led to her publishing breakthrough. They also dive into balancing literary and commercial fiction, writing humor and romance, Shakespeare’s lasting influence on modern storytelling, and the realities of buildin

✨Meet Your Dream Agent; & Query Critiques Inside! Plus, Make Your Own Rules; & How to Craft a Compelling Murder Mystery✨

Also, working in hope! And the concept of cluster ideas.

About Agent Scope Creep and How Agents Upskill (open to other ideas)

In this week’s episode of Shooting the Shit, Carly and CeCe chat about the ever-expanding role of literary agents—from event support and career coaching to navigating emerging challenges like AI, fact-checking, and author advocacy. They discuss how agents balance evolving responsibilities while staying focused on their core job: making deals and supporting their clients’ careers. Carly and CeCe also talk about author platform-building before publication, unpacking why writers should focus less on marketing an unwritten book and more on sharing their reading life, interests, and perspective. Pl

✨Layers of Psychological Processing. Plus, High Hopes but Low Expectations; & The Serious Writer’s Essential Workbook✨

Also, Carly's upcoming webinar: So You Want to be a Literary Agent. And, the Beta Reader Match Up's registration deadline has been extended to Monday!

Layers of Psychological Processing

In this milestone 225th Books with Hooks segment , Bianca, Carly and CeCe break down two wildly different submissions—and what’s working (and what’s not). First up, a high-concept Western horror with cannibals, ghosts, and immortal outlaws. Strong premise, but unclear stakes, missing inciting incident, and a romance readers won’t root for. Second on the chopping block: a killer AI-meets-family-drama concept that hooks instantly—but the opening pages fall flat. Why? Lack of tension, emotional depth, and voice. A lesson on concept vs. craft—and why both need to be firing. Note: CeCe Lyra is a l

Query Critiques May 2026

LB - Literary Fiction

✨Meet Your Dream Agent; & Granular vs. Big Picture Thinking. Plus, Unconventional Writing Rules✨

Also, an essay titled: What My Daughter’s Picky Eating Taught Me About Writing, Querying, and Selling a Novel. And we discuss exploring what you know!

Shooting The Shit About Agent Financial Details, Imprint Mergers and Risks of a Top Heavy Industry

In this week’s Shooting the Shit, Carly and CeCe tackle some of the biggest conversations shaping publishing right now. They discuss the recent consolidation of Simon & Schuster and what fewer submission opportunities could mean for authors and agents, unpack concerns about the shrinking romance midlist and the growing dominance of a handful of bestselling authors, and share insights from the latest AALA agent survey on income, financial instability, and career sustainability in agenting. Carly and CeCe also discuss AI ethics, copyright registration issues, common publishing scams targeting wr

✨Success After 90 Rejections; How Some Books Need to Marinate; & Five Things Sarah Damoff Wishes She Knew Before Getting a Book Deal✨

Plus, don't miss the second iteration of The Vancouver International Publishing Conference which is taking place on June 9th. Also, write what you want to write!

Successfully Pitching at Conferences

Landing a book deal isn’t about one manuscript—it’s about persistence, growth, and strategy. In this week’s author interview, Emma White shares how writing three novels, facing nearly 90 rejections, and refining her craft led to her debut thriller deal. Her biggest lesson? Always be writing the next book while querying the current one. She breaks down how to nail a tight pitch (think: one minute, memorized, and compelling), why pacing and equal tension across timelines matters, and how most of the real magic happens in revisions—not the first draft. Note: CeCe Lyra is a literary agent at Wend

✨Meet Your Dream Agent. Plus, Get Off the Couch and Keep Trying; Bianca Will be in Montreal This Weekend & Query Critiques Inside!✨

Also, a near-perfect query letter, seven tips for writing a hockey romance, and a discount code to attend The Vancouver International Publishing Conference!

May Bonus episode

In part one of this month’s May Bonus episode, Steven Rowley joins Bianca Marais to discuss his latest novel and return to magical realism. Together, they explore identity, grief, reinvention, and the emotional truth behind humor, while diving into craft topics like character-driven storytelling, writing emotionally layered scenes, and grounding surreal premises in lived experience. With reflections on queer identity, long-term relationships, and the universality of loss, this conversation is equal parts writing masterclass and heartfelt exploration of what it means to lose—and find—yourself.

✨Crafting a Logline That Hooks Instantly. Plus, Your Character on a Balance Sheet; & The Queen of Craft's Latest Course Offering✨

Also, don't miss out on the last Beta Reader Match Up of the summer!

Sneaky Prologues That Sizzle

This week on Books with Hooks, Carly, Bianca and CeCe dive into a satirical body horror query with a killer premise: an aspiring influencer’s transformation takes a dark—and literal—turn. CeCe highlights the strong setup and voice but calls for more clarity on the transformation and its stakes—what’s the trade-off, and why does it matter? Carly flags issues with comps, positioning, and vague “impact lines,” reminding writers that specificity is everything. Bottom line, agents want sharper specificity, stronger stakes, and dynamic openings that could take queries from intriguing to irresistible

Shooting The Shit Live! With Carly and CeCe

A recording from Carly Watters's live video

✨Exclusive Substack Live Event Tomorrow! Plus, 'Forgetting' How to Write; Meet Your Dream Agent; & Crafting Unusual Narrators✨

Also, how it takes a village to be an author. And look out for the Queen of Craft's latest course!

Shooting the Shit About Agent Scams and When a Book is Truly Read to Go

In this episode of Shooting the Shit, Carly and CeCe dive into the rise of publishing scams targeting hopeful writers, sharing major red flags to watch for and why scammers are preying on authors’ dreams. They also unpack the heated debate around whether too many books are being published in the age of AI-generated content, what it means for writers trying to stand out, and the evolving role of agents and publishers in today’s market. Plus, a thoughtful conversation about how much editorial work agents really do before a manuscript ever reaches an editor. Note: CeCe Lyra is a literary agent a

✨Strategic Pitching; & 'The Plot Twist I Didn’t Outline: Getting Diagnosed with ADHD'✨

Plus, breaking the rules with craft choices, and starting with character!

Taking Big Risks That Pay Off & Breaking the Rules With Intentionality

Debut author Alessandra Ranelli joins the show to share the wild, real-life story behind ‘Murder at the Hotel Orient’ — from a disastrous week that sparked the idea, to turning a legendary Vienna love hotel into the setting for a spicy, modern whodunit. She breaks down her full journey: writing her first novel, querying highs and lows, the “aha” craft moment that changed everything, and how strategic pitching led to multiple agent offers. Plus, a behind-the-scenes look at the bold, author-driven marketing strategy that built buzz before the book even hit shelves. In part two of this week’s e

✨A Near-Perfect Query Letter; Meet Your Dream Agent; & Two Standout Books With Hooks Query Critiques Inside!✨

Plus, reimagining iconic stories, prioritizing your work, writing about other people in your memoir, and the Queen of Craft's upcoming course!

Shooting the Shit About Professional Development and the Power Of The Agent “Fit”

In this episode of Shooting the Shit, Carly and CeCe dive into the power of “fit” in publishing — from finding the right agent-author relationship to understanding how passion, advocacy, and instinct shape a literary career. They unpack professional development for agents, the importance of being in community with readers and industry peers, and why networking conversations often become the best education. The episode also tackles AI anxiety in publishing, including whether writers should include anti-AI disclaimers in query letters, plus a discussion on the growing legal battles surrounding A

✨Don't Force it, Seduce it: Lessons on Prose✨

Plus, there's still time to sign up for the summer's last Beta Reader Match Up!

The Craft of Specificity: Why Vague Kills Queries

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, and the balance between internal vs. external stakes. Plus: why “sparkle” matters in a crowded mark

Query Critiques April 2026

A twice weekly newsletter chock-full of guidance and support from publishing industry insiders. Expect author interviews, guest blogs, giveaways, and more!

✨Meet Your Dream Agent; & Stubbornness as a Means to Surviving Publishing. Plus, a Checklist for Authors Working with Hybrid Publishers✨

Also, the five tent poles every story needs! And why a hype folder is essential!

Shooting the Shit About Expectations in Agent Author Relationships and Who Gets To Go On Book Tour

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 and CeCe also talk about tough industry realities—from agents parting ways with clients to the truth

✨Muddling Through Word Salad. Plus, You Only Have One Job: Hold the Reader's Attention ✨

Plus, the last Beta Reader Match Up of the Summer is coming soon - don't miss out!

Author Insights from Mai Nguyen, Lindsay Wong and Laurie Frankel

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 character—forward. The conversation also explores envy in grief, the taboo of infant loss, and how comm

✨Canwen Xu's Successful Query Letter; Meet Your Dream Agent; & Query Critiques Inside! Plus, Using Index Cards; & Changing Genres During Edits✨

We also tackle POVs and more in Damian Barr's excellent author Q&A!

April Bonus Episode

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 to getting it right. Part two of this month’s bonus episode, Bianca connects with best-selling autho

✨Why Verbs Are the Real Secret to Powerful Writing!✨

Plus, the Beta Reader Match Up is open again!

When Intrigue Turns Into Confusion

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. Plus: opening pages that hook, voice that shines, and the ongoing debate between depth vs momentum. N

✨A Near-Perfect Query Letter; Meet Your Dream Agent; Historical Accuracy in Fiction; & The Art of Revision✨

Yay! Yay! It's jam-packed Tuesday!

✨Mapping Out Scenes With Diagrams. Plus, Writing Auto-Fiction✨

Also, the next Beta Reader Match Up is now open for registrations!

✨Meet Your Dream Agent. Plus, Query Critiques Inside; No Outline? No Problem!; & What to Do With Editorial Feedback✨

Also, don't miss yesterday's Shooting the Shit!

✨Nothing is Wasted; Not Time, Not Words✨

Plus, join Carly at the Ottawa International Writers Festival. And don't miss this week's Books with Hooks!

✨A 'Meet Your Dream Agent' Shares a Near-Perfect Query Letter. Plus, Confessions of a Former Feedback Addict & Questions to Ask Yourself Before Signing with an Agent✨

We also dive into POVs and how to deal with rejection!

✨Learning to Trust Your Creative Compass & How to Find a Healthy Critique Group✨

Plus, don't miss yesterday's two brilliant author interviews!

✨Meet Your Dream Agent. Plus, Your Book Isn't Boring - Your Pitch Is; & Query Critiques Inside!✨

We also take a closer look at genre snobbery, overusing adjectives, and the power of comp titles!

✨Getting a Yes After 20 Years! Plus, Setting as Character✨

Don't miss this week's Books with Hooks, and there's still time to sign up for the Beta Reader Match Up

✨When Your Entire Book Needs a Rewrite✨

Plus, overcoming obstacles in your journey to publication. Also, join us for a Toronto book launch. And there's still time to sign up for the Beta Reader Match Up!