The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

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, how nostalgia shapes atmosphere, and why Fell was the only place this story could happen. This episode is a masterclass in suspense, atmosphere, and emotional depth—and a must-listen for writers and readers of dark, twisty fiction.Part two of this week’s episode, Bianca connects with Isabelle Engel and shares her journey as a writer, detailing her experiences with rejection, mentorship, and the creative process behind her debut novel, ‘Most Eligible’. She discusses the importance of conflict in storytelling, the extensive research she conducted on reality TV, and how her previous writing experiences shaped her voice and humor. The conversation also touches on the significance of female friendships in her narrative and the challenges of editing and revising for publication.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.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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 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/theshitnoonetellsyouaboutwritingOur Sponsors:* Check out Quince: https://quince.com/tsnotyaw* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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 positioning for YA vs. adult vs. new adult and explore what makes an opening page irresistible. A must-listen for writers polishing queries, sharpening voice, or navigating genre “in-between” spaces.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/theshitnoonetellsyouaboutwritingOur Sponsors:* Check out Quince: https://quince.com/tsnotyaw* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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 strategy, risk, and skin in the game. Candid, sharp, and full of industry truth bombs—bookmark this one.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.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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 thrillers, literary retellings, or stories about how breakthrough books get made, this episode is for you. In part two of this week’s episode, Deepa Anappara shares her journey from aspiring writer to published author, discussing the challenges of overcoming self-doubt and the importance of persistence in the writing process. She emphasizes the significance of storytelling from marginalized perspectives and the intentionality behind choosing narrative points of view. Deepa also highlights the role of research and observation in crafting authentic characters and settings, as well as the delicate balance of language and style in her writing.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.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands