The Shit No One Tells You About Writing November Bonus Episode
Nov 24, 2025
Bestselling author Patricia Sands shares her inspiring journey, starting to write at 65 and transitioning from indie to traditional publishing with Amazon’s Lake Union. She discusses the joy of writing, setting personal publishing goals, and her charming new novel, The French Effect. Bookseller Emilie Sommer returns with her monthly comps segment, recommending captivating titles from literary suspense to speculative romance, ensuring every listener finds the perfect comparative read!
51:37
Choose Tone-Based Comp Titles
- Use targeted comps to position contemporary literary debuts to readers of similar tone and themes.
- Emilie Sommer suggested comps like Ghosts, Goodbye Vitamin, and All That Life Can Afford for grief-inflected literary novels.
Comp Historical Friendship By Structure
- For multi-POV friendship novels spanning decades, pick comps that reflect structure and themes.
- Emilie recommended The Wilderness for its multi-POV timelines and explorations of American identity.
Pick Appropriate-Scale Fantasy Comps
- Avoid over-using blockbuster comps like Fourth Wing; choose similarly themed but appropriately scaled comparisons.
- Emilie suggested The Serpent and Wings of Night or Naomi Novik instead for high-stakes recruit trials.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
How Patricia Began Writing at 65
02:07 • 1min
Personal Life and Writing Voice
03:07 • 47sec
Choosing to Indie Publish First
03:53 • 59sec
Amazon's Lake Union Finds Her
04:52 • 10sec
What Lake Union Offered
05:03 • 7min
Deciding Against Publisher Deadlines
12:14 • 3min
Benefits and Limits of Traditional Publishing
15:07 • 3min
Returning to Indie Publishing
18:17 • 3min
Finding and Keeping Readers
21:15 • 3min
Introducing The French Effect
24:24 • 4min
Ad break
28:46 • 4min
Comps Segment Intro with Emilie Sommer
32:20 • 35sec
Comps: Writers & Lovers Style Novels
32:56 • 4min
Comps: Multi-Voiced Historical Fiction
37:10 • 2min
Comps: YA/New Adult Pirate Romance
39:23 • 2min
Comps: Voicey Literary Suspense
40:59 • 2min
Comps: Speculative Romance with Rock Star
43:00 • 3min
Comps: Hollywood 'Mean Boss' Redemption
45:36 • 2min
Comps: Sci‑Fi Women's Fiction Blend
48:03 • 2min
Comps: YA Portal Fantasy Sisters
50:11 • 2min
Comps: Appalachian Thriller Survival
51:58 • 3min
Comps: School‑for‑Spies with Worldbuilding
54:36 • 2min
Outro
56:57 • 2min
#8479
• Mentioned in 6 episodes
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
V.E. Schwab
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue follows the story of Adeline LaRue, a young French woman who, in 1714, makes a deal with a dark god named Luc to live forever.
However, she is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets.
The novel explores themes of loneliness, love, and the human desire to leave a mark on the world.
Addie's journey spans centuries, influencing art and history, until she meets Henry Strauss, who can remember her.
#
Goodbye, Vitamin
A Novel
Rachel Khong
Rachel Khong's 'Goodbye, Vitamin' is a tender and quirky novel about Ruth, a young woman who returns home to care for her father after his Alzheimer's diagnosis.
As Ruth spends time with her father, she pieces together his past through his journals, rediscovering their relationship and confronting her own uncertainties.
The novel explores themes of memory, family, and the complexities of love and loss with humor and heart.
Through its unique narrative structure, 'Goodbye, Vitamin' offers a poignant reflection on the power of connection and the search for meaning in the face of adversity.
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This Mortal Coil
Grant Allen
#
Daughter of the pirate king
Tricia Levenseller
#
The Secrets We Hide
Becca Steele
#
The Work Wife
Alison B. Hart
#
The Bridge Club
Felicia A. Plastini
#9110
• Mentioned in 6 episodes
Wild Dark Shore
Charlotte McConaghy
#
Listen to the Lie
Amy Tintera
#10332
• Mentioned in 5 episodes
Gentle
Courtney Carver
Gentle is a self-help book that offers 30 practices to help readers overcome chronic overwhelm, cultivate self-compassion, and find permission to do less.
Organized into three parts—Rest, Less, and Rise—the book provides simple challenges to help readers shift their pace, headspace, and heart.
It rejects the old rules of hustle culture and invites readers into real self-care that goes beyond superficial measures, focusing on trusting oneself and embracing a rhythm that frees them to enjoy their lives.
#38008
Vicious
Noah Michael Levine
V.E. Schwab
Vicious follows the story of Victor Vale and Eli Cardale, two brilliant and ambitious college roommates who experiment with near-death experiences to gain extraordinary abilities.
The novel is structured between flashbacks and the present day, showing their complex and toxic friendship that eventually turns into a bitter rivalry.
Ten years after their experiments go horribly wrong, Victor breaks out of prison to seek revenge against Eli, who has become a hero determined to eradicate other super-powered individuals.
The book explores themes of power, betrayal, and the blurred lines between heroism and villainy.
#100201
The Seven Year Slip
Ashley Poston
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Wreck Your Heart
Lori Rader-Day
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Serpent and the Wings of Night
Carissa Broadbent
#9528
• Mentioned in 5 episodes
Where'd You Go, Bernadette
Maria Semple
The book follows the story of Bernadette Fox, a former renowned architect and MacArthur Genius Grant recipient, who has become a recluse and suffers from severe agoraphobia.
When her daughter Bee earns perfect grades, she claims her reward: a family trip to Antarctica.
However, Bernadette's aversion to people and her increasing mental breakdown lead to her disappearance.
Bee compiles a series of emails, documents, and secret correspondences to find her mother, revealing a complex web of family dynamics, social satire, and personal struggles.
The novel pokes fun at Seattle's elite culture, private school parents, and the tech world, while exploring themes of creativity, mental health, and the bond between a mother and daughter.
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Mothers and Other Strangers
Corrie Ann Haydew
#5858
• Mentioned in 8 episodes
Long Island Compromise
Taffy Brodesser-Akner
#10410
• Mentioned in 5 episodes
Fleishman is in Trouble
Taffy Brodesser-Akner
The novel follows Toby Fleishman, a 41-year-old hepatologist, and his wife Rachel, a successful talent agent, as they navigate their divorce.
The story is narrated by Toby's college friend Libby, who serves as a stand-in for the author.
The book examines the reversal of traditional gender roles, with Rachel as the primary breadwinner and Toby as the secondary earner.
It also critiques the affluent Manhattan professional class and explores the challenges of modern marriage, parenting, and the impact of dating apps on relationships.
The narrative delves into the complexities of their 14-year marriage and the events that led to its breakdown, while also reflecting on Libby's own life and experiences.
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A Deadly Education
Naomi Novik
#6287
• Mentioned in 8 episodes
Daisy Jones & The Six
A Novel
Taylor Jenkins Reid
This novel follows the lives of Daisy Jones, a young and beautiful singer, and The Six, a band led by the brooding Billy Dunne, as they navigate the highs and lows of the 1970s music industry.
The story is presented as an oral history, with interviews from the band members, their friends, and family, providing a realistic and immersive account of their journey.
The book delves into themes of female empowerment, addiction, and the complexities of personal relationships, set against the backdrop of the glamorized but often destructive rock 'n' roll lifestyle of the 1970s.
Taylor Jenkins Reid's vivid portrayal of the era and the characters makes the fictional band feel eerily real, capturing the essence of the music and the times with remarkable detail.
#13361
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
Outlander
Diana Gabaldon
Published in 1991, 'Outlander' is the first novel in the 'Outlander' series by Diana Gabaldon.
The story follows Claire Randall, a former combat nurse during WWII, who on a second honeymoon in Scotland with her husband Frank, touches an ancient stone and is transported back in time to 1743.
There, she encounters the dashing Jamie Fraser and becomes embroiled in the lives of the Scottish Clan MacKenzie.
As Claire navigates her new surroundings, she must balance her loyalty to her husband in the 20th century with her growing feelings for Jamie.
The novel blends elements of historical fiction, romance, adventure, and fantasy, and has been praised for its detailed historical settings and compelling characters.
#9909
• Mentioned in 5 episodes
The Uncool
Cameron Crowe
#6742
• Mentioned in 7 episodes
The missing half
Augusta Huiell Seaman
#68309
Time Traveler's Wife
Audrey Niffenegger
#699
• Mentioned in 48 episodes
Fourth Wing
Rebecca Yarros
In 'Fourth Wing,' twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail is forced by her mother, a commanding general, to join the elite dragon riders at Basgiath War College.
Despite her physical weaknesses due to a chronic illness similar to Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Violet must use her intelligence and wit to survive the competitive and deadly environment.
She faces numerous challenges, including sparring matches, the Gauntlet climbing challenge, and battles in the War Games.
Alongside her struggles, Violet uncovers secrets about the leadership and forms complex relationships with her peers, including the ruthless but charismatic wingleader Xaden Riorson.
The book is part of the Empyrean series and combines elements of fantasy, adventure, and romance.
#9005
• Mentioned in 6 episodes
Real American
Julie Lythcott-Haims
In 'Real American,' Julie Lythcott-Haims shares a deeply personal and candid look at her experiences growing up as a biracial woman.
The book is a collection of vignettes that address her internal struggles with race, identity, and belonging.
It delves into microaggressions, discrimination, and racism, and how these factors have shaped her life.
The memoir also highlights the healing power of community in overcoming the isolation and self-loathing that often accompany being considered 'the other.
' Lythcott-Haims' narrative is a powerful exploration of what it means to be Black in America and her path to self-love and acceptance.
#10499
• Mentioned in 5 episodes
The Sirens
Emilia Hart
The Sirens is a breathtaking tale of female resilience and the bonds of sisterhood across time and space.
It follows two timelines: one contemporary, focusing on estranged sisters Lucy and Jess, and another set in 1800, about twin sisters Mary and Eliza on a convict ship.
The story intertwines historical fiction with magical realism, exploring the mystery and magic of the sea.
#12248
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
Blue Sisters
Coco Mellors
#1288
• Mentioned in 31 episodes
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
Gabrielle Zevin
Spanning thirty years, 'Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow' by Gabrielle Zevin is a sweeping narrative that explores the lives of Sam and Sadie, two friends united by their love of video games.
From their childhood encounters to their adulthood as successful game developers, the book delves into themes of identity, creativity, disability, and the redemptive possibilities in play.
It is a coming-of-age story that examines the multifaceted nature of human relationships and the need to connect, love, and be loved.
The novel is praised for its mature and nuanced portrayal of characters and its ability to engage readers even without prior knowledge of the video game industry.
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Us Fools
Nora Lange
Nora Lange's "Us Fools" is a coming-of-age novel set against the backdrop of the American farm crisis.
It follows the lives of two sisters, Joanne and Bernadette, as they navigate their family's struggles and their own identities.
The novel explores themes of family, mental illness, and the impact of capitalism on rural communities.
Through lyrical prose and a unique narrative structure, Lange paints a vivid portrait of the American Midwest and the challenges faced by those living on the margins of society.
The book's exploration of the complexities of sisterhood and the search for meaning in a changing world resonates deeply with readers.
#7500
• Mentioned in 7 episodes
Writers & Lovers
Lily King
Writers & Lovers follows Casey Peabody, a woman in her thirties living in Boston, as she grapples with grief, financial struggles, and complex romantic entanglements while working on her first novel.
The novel explores themes of art, love, and ambition, offering a poignant portrayal of a young woman finding her courage for life.
#12098
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
Still Alice
Lisa Genova
The novel follows Alice Howland, a celebrated Harvard professor and linguistics expert, as she navigates the devastating diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer's disease.
The story, told from Alice's perspective, details her increasing disorientation, memory loss, and the emotional and practical challenges she and her family face.
Despite her fierce independence, Alice's sense of self is gradually stripped away, affecting her relationships with her husband, John, and their three children.
The book provides a heartfelt and insightful look into the experiences of those living with Alzheimer's disease and their loved ones.
#5891
• Mentioned in 8 episodes
The Wilderness
Undelivered Lectures
Ayşegül Savaş
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Fellowship Point
Alice Elliott Dark
#14905
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
Ghosts
Dolly Alderton
#4491
• Mentioned in 11 episodes
Heart the Lover
Lily King
#
All that life can afford
Emily Everett
In 'All That Life Can Afford,' Anna, the protagonist, leaves her Massachusetts home to pursue a master's degree in London, escaping the hardships of her past.
Working as an SAT tutor for wealthy families, she finds herself drawn into a world of luxury and privilege.
During a tutoring gig, she is swept into the lives of the Wilders, leading her to Saint-Tropez and into a whirlwind of high society.
Anna becomes entangled with two intriguing men, each representing different facets of privilege, forcing her to confront questions of identity and belonging.
The novel explores themes of class, ambition, and the search for a place to belong, set against the backdrop of London and the glamorous world of the wealthy.
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 Emilie Sommer from East City Bookshop — she’s back with another brilliant comps segment!
Take a listen here or watch it on YouTube!
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 literary agent at P.S. Literary Agency, but her work on this podcast is not affiliated with the agency, and the views expressed by Carly on this podcast are solely that of her as a podcast co-host and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, policies, or position of P.S. Literary Agency.
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