The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

They tear into two query letters: a jaw‑dropping horror hook involving cannibalism and a missing sister, and a dual‑timeline women’s fiction pitch. They debate trigger warnings, comp title strategy, genre labeling, and when queries spoil too much. The conversation digs into opening pages, believable character choices, voice, and how comps should include author names to build market links.

They dissect the backlash to last week’s conversation, spotlighting burnout and widespread disillusionment in publishing. They reveal a startling reader concentration stat and quiz its implications. Myths from the London Book Fair get busted, including deal timing and platform assumptions. They also unpack a copyright ruling about which YA tropes can and cannot be protected.

In this week’s episode, bestselling author J.R. Ward—creator of the wildly popular ‘Black Dagger Brotherhood’ series—joins the show to talk about her new romantasy novel ‘Crown of War and Shadow’ and the evolution of fantasy romance. J.R. and Bianca explore the difference between paranormal romance and romantasy, why collectible book editions are booming, and how immersive worlds help readers experience powerful human emotions in extraordinary settings. J.R. shares her unconventional writing process—“watching movies in her head” and transcribing them onto the page—and discusses the challenges of writing in first-person POV, balancing world-building with pacing, and crafting compelling character arcs. She also digs into storytelling craft, including planting curiosity seeds, revealing character through adversity, and why the best stories make readers care deeply about the people on the 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 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.Find us on our socials:Threads: https://www.threads.net/@the_shit_about_writinghttps://www.threads.net/@biancamarais_authorhttps://www.threads.net/@carlywatters https://www.threads.net/@cece_lyra_agentInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_shit_about_writing/https://www.instagram.com/biancamarais_author/ https://www.instagram.com/carlywatters/ https://www.instagram.com/cece_lyra_agent/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TSNOTYAWWebsites: www.theshitaboutwriting.com, www.biancamarais.com, www.carlywatters.com and www.cecilialyra.comBookshop.org affiliate page: https://bookshop.org/shop/theshitnoonetellsyouaboutwritingTo sign up for our Substack newsletter, head to https://theshitaboutwriting.substack.comOur Sponsors:* Check out Quince: https://quince.com/tsnotyaw* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com* Check out Wayfair: https://www.wayfair.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

They riff on industry gossip and announce a live Calgary recording. They unpack a viral Reddit confession from a weary editor and discuss why people are quitting publishing. They debate highbrow versus commercial fiction and whether awards or readership define success. They also touch on AI, London Book Fair buzz, and what really makes books sell.

They critique two query letters and first pages, one about an accountant heading to the brutal Mongol Derby and another a 1970s dual-POV sports romance about a trailblazing ultrarunner. Expect sharp notes on stakes, opening disruption, comps, voice, and how to make a query sell rather than summarize. Practical tips include trimming bios, clarifying genre, and sharpening emotional hooks.

They trade hilarious publishing mishaps, like offers arriving with names misspelled, and unpack why blurbs still carry weight in the industry. They debate blurb etiquette and paying goodwill forward in the blurb economy. They riff on overused comp titles, the quirks of the slush pile, audiobook habits, internet feedback, and the self-care tricks agents use to survive the emotional rollercoaster.

Lisa Unger, a New York Times bestselling thriller novelist known for dark, layered stories, discusses craft, longevity, and character-driven writing. She talks about sustaining a long career, protecting deep morning work, and balancing reader relationships with social media. Conversation covers multiple first-person POVs, authentic character voices, organic discovery, research, and layering themes beyond the mystery.

They dig into audiobook double-dipping stats and what listening habits mean for writers. They unpack the behind-the-scenes crises agents juggle like covers, contracts, timelines, and leverage. They debate whether traditional media truly sells books or just feeds validation. They examine buzzy memoir trends, literary-agent characters in fiction, and why AI-written submissions are being spotted.

They workshop two submissions: a YA dystopian about societal “modification” and a risky twin-swap, and an adult thriller about a returned sister, a found diary, and a linked disappearance. Conversation focuses on hooks, openings, interiority, pacing, power imbalances, and how to tighten queries and opening pages to grab readers fast.

Robyn Harding, bestselling slow-burn thriller writer known for twist-driven suspense, and Emily Ohanjanians, debut romance author and former editor, join the conversation. They dig into building sneaky prologues, curiosity seeds, power imbalances, structure and therapy transcripts for tension. They also cover pacing, romance tropes, spicy scenes that deepen character, and the journey from editor to first novel.