Quiet Stories, Big Stakes

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

Bianca Marais, Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra

Education, How To, Fiction, Books, Arts

4.8 • 842 Ratings

🗓️ 11 December 2025

⏱️ 45 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

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 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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Transcript

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0:00.0	Hi there. We've got a lot. We're really excited to tell you about, but I'm going to make this real
0:04.9	quick so you can get to the episode. The deep dive is coming up at the end of January. The lineup of
0:10.9	speakers is incredible and the range of topics is mind-blowing. You do not want to miss out on the last
0:17.3	deep dive ever. Then the beta reader matchup is open once again with the matchups going out early in February.
0:23.9	Sign up to kick your creative year off with a bang.
0:27.2	Lastly, there's an amazing writer's workbook available,
0:30.2	which will make the perfect gift for you or the writer in your life.
0:34.4	Head to our website, The Shit About Writing, to find out more. Here is the thing about wearing quince. Because I adore my Mongolian cashmere teas, I told my mother-in-law and her sister, and now everybody is buying them for themselves and for gifts this holiday season. I don't just love them as a sponsor. I love them as a gift that I know is going to hit the right note. Quince pretty much has your whole list covered. The Mongolian cashmere sweater teas for $50 when you would normally pay 200 or more. The kind you'll wear on repeat. Then there's denim that goes with everything, tops and skirts for when you need to look put together, cashmere hats and scarves and down jackets that will actually keep you wore. By working directly with trusted factories that maintain high standards for both craftsmanship and ethical practices, and by cutting out the middleman and markups, Quince is able to pass those savings straight to you. I have the sleeveless cashmere tea and oatmeal, true to size, and the t-shirt, cashmere sweaters, and gray in oatmeal. I could wear them every day. I rotated them through my meetings when I was in
1:27.7	L.A. and then back to my work from home setup. They're so versatile, classy, and I don't have to think twice about whether it is the right moment. They are always right for the moment. It also has home, bath, and kids products. I adore the shark print swim trunks for my sons. Find gifts so good you will want to keep them with Quince. Go to quince.com
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2:00.5	365-day returns. Quince.com slash T- not yaw hi there and welcome to our show the ship no one tells you
2:14.8	about writing i'm best-selling author Bianca Murray,
2:19.1	and I'm joined by Cece Leera of Wendy Sherman Associates
2:22.6	and Carly Waters of PS Literary.
2:26.4	Hi everyone, welcome back to another Books with Hoc segment.
2:30.4	As per usual, we are going to dive straight in.
2:33.4	Cici, will you please pick us off of the first query?
2:36.3	Let's do this.
2:37.7	Dear Cece, I'm seeking representation for my debut novel,
2:41.8	All These Things That I Have Done, Contemporary Literary Fiction, 93,000 Words,
2:47.0	A darkly comic, character-driven exploration of addiction, regret, and reluctant redemption,
	...

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