The hosts critique a speculative and literary fiction query, emphasizing clarity in language and character development. They explore the importance of aligning plot and climax with genre expectations. Discussions also highlight the challenges of writing in epistolary format and the need for emotional depth. Insights into bilingual language acquisition are shared, illustrating storytelling complexities for diverse audiences. The episode underscores a commitment to supporting writers through community engagement and exciting upcoming initiatives.

Alix E. Harrow, a Hugo-Award winning and NYT bestselling author known for her works like 'The Ten Thousand Doors of January,' dives into her latest novel 'Starling House.' She explores how character relationships illuminate vulnerability and raise stakes, plus the flexibility of word counts in sci-fi and fantasy. Alix shares her world-building process, the art of using secondary characters effectively, and innovative techniques like footnotes—all while emphasizing writing beautiful prose in the drafting phase and balancing backstory with curiosity.

The hosts analyze a family saga and a psychological thriller, emphasizing the need for clear POV information in query letters. They discuss the importance of concise wording and effective character connections through plot and theme. Humor mixes with critique as they explore a psychological thriller query, highlighting character dynamics. The conversation dives into balancing scene work and emotional interiority, with tips on making characters' behaviors plausible. Plus, they stress the value of reading work aloud to enhance narrative clarity.

Emilie Sommer, associated with East City Bookshop, shares her expertise on navigating the often tricky world of comparative titles. She dives into the importance of building an author brand while aligning manuscripts with successful comp titles. Emilie discusses specific recommendations across genres, including multi-POV literature and speculative thrillers. Her insights cover themes like feminism, emotional journeys, and financial literacy for creators. Tune in for practical strategies to enhance visibility and connect with readers!

Best-selling author Marissa Stapley, known for her novel The Lightning Bottles, shares insights into her creative process and the evolution of her characters. She discusses the balance of writing with multiple editors and the importance of taking time in storytelling. The conversation dives into resilience in writing, addressing setbacks, and the emotional toll of rejections. Stapley emphasizes the beauty of character depth and the unique perspectives that can emerge from personal experiences, inspiring aspiring authors to embrace their own journeys.

In this engaging discussion, Liane Moriarty, a NYT bestselling author known for her gripping narratives, shares insights on her latest book and the intricacies of her drafting process. Hannah Nicole Maehrer, a rising star in romance-fantasy, reveals her TikTok-inspired journey to success with her debut novel, 'Apprentice to the Villain.' They dive into the importance of author-agent chemistry, the emotional rollercoaster of rejection, and the unique challenges of navigating the publishing landscape, all while emphasizing creativity and authenticity.

Join the lively discussion on crafting compelling characters! The hosts explore the fine line between likeable and interesting, focusing on their characters' wants and messy emotions. They share insights on starting your novel effectively and maintaining connected plot points. Delve into the challenges of relatable character dynamics and the importance of vulnerability and depth in storytelling. Listen for helpful tips on navigating emotional landscapes, even with unredeemable protagonists!

Amanda Peters, author of the short story collection *Waiting for the Long Night Moon*, shares her insights into storytelling. She reads a story from her collection and discusses her careful choices of point of view that create tension by letting readers know more than the characters. The conversation dives into writing emotionally weighted, quiet narratives and the problem-solving aspect of crafting a story. Peters also reflects on her journey oscillating between short fiction and novels, revealing the evolution of her storytelling process.

In this discussion, the hosts dive into the importance of cause and effect in plot points. They highlight the necessity for unexpected twists in opening pages to captivate readers. Delving into dark romance, they explore its complexities and the significance of clarity in queries. The panel also critiques character motivations and emotional stakes, stressing the balance between shock value and depth in storytelling. Practical tips for engaging dialogue and the art of delivering backstory are shared, making it essential listening for aspiring authors.

In today's Books with Hooks, we’re throwing it back to an early backlist segment.After which Bianca interviews bestselling author, Coco Mellors, to discuss her latest novel, Blue Sisters. They discuss writing on the line level while using metaphor and similes to describe things in ways that no one else has expressed them before; the creation of Coco's extremely compelling prologue and how she approached writing it; writing characters who have agency and how their agency affects the plot; balancing showing vs telling, and how to make the telling feel like showing; how writing can be an act of blind faith; writing multi POV novels; the research process; and writing what you know. Note: Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra are literary agents at P.S. Literary Agency, but their work on this podcast is not affiliated with the agency, and the views expressed by Carly and CeCe on this podcast are solely that of them as podcast co-hosts and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, policies, or position of P.S. Literary Agency.Find us on our socials:Twitter: @TSNOTYAW @BiancaM_author @carlywatters @ceciliaclyraInstagram: 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/theshitnoonetellsyouaboutwritingYou can find out more information about Coco on her website at https://www.cocomellors.com/She's also on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/cocomellorsFor more information about the All About Fantasy virtual retreat, go to:https://www.biancamarais.com/all-about-fantasy.html Carly's course for writers, The Author's Publishing Playbook, is available at carlywatters.com/course. If you haven't grabbed it yet, podcast listeners can use discount code POD15Our Sponsors:* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands