Best Querying Agents Podcasts (2025)

1
#164: Liv Maidment — A Literary Agent’s Playbook for Writers: Query Smart, Pick Comps, Nail the Pitch & Synopsis, and Today’s Market 54:52

Play Pause

15d ago54:52

54:52

Head of Books at the Madeleine Milburn Agency, Liv Maidment, shares how literary agents read, evaluate, and champion submissions (from pitches and comps to strategy, timelines, and today’s AI-driven market), helping writers pitch their work clearly and confidently. You'll learn: How to build a snappy 1–2 line elevator pitch that helps everyone down…

1
Writing Horror: Fear, Gore, and the Monsters Within 14:53

22h ago14:53

14:53

Just in time for Halloween, this episode explores the expectations and pitfalls of writing horror and how to write fear in any genre. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: Fear in any genre The core of horror Tension as the backbone Themes and monsters Horror subgenres Global horror Pitfalls to avoid Next week, we’ll leave the monsters behind and step into…

1
When Reality TV Meets Cli-Fi: Hooks, Depth, and the Dreaded Coincidence 48:31

2d ago48:31

48:31

In this episode of Books with Hooks, Carly and CeCe hold down the fort while Bianca is away—and things get delightfully silly. The duo dig into two very different query letters. First up, a reality-TV-inspired contemporary romance about a bisexual woman who falls for siblings on a dating show. Carly and CeCe discuss the strength of the hook, the pi…

1
How GitHub Code Quality connects to AppSec 22:22

1d ago22:22

22:22

It's our first on-location episode! At GitHub Universe, Katie Norton, Research Manager for IDC's DevSecOps and software supply chain security practice, explains how a new extension to GitHub's CodeQL reflects increased awareness of security as a dimension of code quality. She also discusses the shifting strategic partnerships and competition that c…

1
Writing a Complex Mystery Novel with Bianca Marais 21:09

2d ago21:09

21:09

Send me a Text Message! What if the secret to writing unforgettable characters isn't interrogating them with questionnaires, but letting them reveal themselves organically? In this episode, bestselling author Bianca Marais shares how she "pantsed" her way through writing her newest novel, A Most Puzzling Murder. It’s especially impressive because t…

1
Gil Gillenwater - Hope on the Border 26:38

3d ago26:38

26:38

Meet Gil Gillenwater — real-estate guy, Harley fan, and founder of Rancho Feliz. For 40 years he’s helped families along the U.S.–Mexico border with one surprising motto: Helping others should be fun. His new book, Hope on the Border, shows how “reciprocal giving” restores dignity — we feed their stomachs, they feed our souls. Gil calls it enlighte…

1
October Bonus Episode 27:06

4d ago27:06

27:06

In this month’s bonus episode, award-winning author Amber McBride joins Bianca to talk about ‘The Leaving Room’ — a YA novel in verse that unfolds entirely in the space between life and death. Amber opens up about losing and reclaiming her voice, the power of poetry to hold emotion, and what it means to write from the liminal spaces of grief and lo…

1
C.B. Wilson - The Fire Diamond 15:49

7d ago15:49

15:49

What happens when a gemologist writes a thriller? You get "The Fire Diamond"! We chat with author C.B. Wilson about her new book, the high-stakes world of jewel thieves, and her "diamond detective" protagonist.By Terry Shepherd

1
Writing Gothic Fiction: Where Beauty Meets Terror 12:16

8d ago12:16

12:16

Gothic fiction is where beauty meets terror. In this episode, we explore how to write Gothic stories that grip readers with atmosphere, ambiguity, and desire: 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: Setting as character The uncanny and the supernatural Romance entwined with ruin Gothic subgenres and global traditions Pitfalls to avoid The Biggest Mistake Wri…

1
Splunk exec on AI observability's "double-edged sword" 15:45

8d ago15:45

15:45

Patrick Lin from Splunk discusses how observability extends beyond IT, highlighting its importance in improving business decisions, customer support, and revenue. The interview also covers challenges in enterprise observability, like standardization and teamwork, along with the changing role of AI in observability methods. AI automation can help ob…

1
For The Love of Writing 27:21

8d ago27:21

27:21

This week on the podcast (listen to it here or watch it on YouTube!), Bianca interviews Hannah Mary McKinnon about her latest thriller, A Killer Motive. They delve into the intricacies of character development, the importance of collaboration in the writing process, and the challenges authors face in the ever-evolving landscape of publishing. Hanna…

1
#165: Carys Shannon — Debut Novelist on Choosing an Indie Press, Finding Your Voice, Writers’ Hour, and Holding Your Vision 49:09

8d ago49:09

49:09

Debut novelist Carys Shannon on how to stay true to your voice through submissions and agent feedback, why an editorially led indie press was the right home for her book, and the craft that brought it to life. We discuss: How to decide what your book wants to be and center its emotional life. Submission strategy after competitions: reading agent fe…

1
Enneagram for Writing Characters 1:20:34

9d ago1:20:34

1:20:34

It’s a craft special! We kick off with Elizabeth Gilbert’s latest (yes, the hairdresser, the church, the drugs—what is even happening), then dive into the good stuff: how to build believable, unforgettable characters using the Enneagram. Rachel walks us through types, wings, stress/safety arrows, and why intention > vibes, while Kayla talks “thisne…

1
How to Write a Thriller that Gets Attention: Character and Plot Advice from Chevy Stevens 31:16

9d ago31:16

31:16

Send me a Text Message! New York Times bestselling author Chevy Stevens pulls back the curtain on what separates a good thriller from an unforgettable one. And it might not be what you think. In this episode, Chevy reveals her unconventional process for crafting antagonists that readers love to hate. She also shares the exact mindset shift that hel…

1
Shooting the Shit: About publishing’s ghosting problem and when sales are “not good” 28:25

12d ago28:25

28:25

It’s Fall in publishing — which means colds, caffeine, and chaos. Carly and CeCe catch up after a whirlwind few weeks to unpack two hot topics from listener DMs: what to do if your agent ghosts you, and what editors really mean when they say “sales aren’t good.” They also get into whether publishing is truly a “retail business,” how to handle AALA …

1
Cribl CEO talks AI data management, MCP and AI bubble 23:56

14d ago23:56

23:56

Observability and security company Cribl has had a front-row seat to the rise of generative AI, AI agents, and their impact on data management in IT. The company, which grew from log management into federated search, a data pipeline, a data lake, and a cloud-based managed service, also expanded its product offerings this week with notebooks for obs…

1
Writing Historical Fiction: Living in Another Time 11:19

15d ago11:19

11:19

Good historical fiction makes the past feel as alive as the present. In this episode, we explore how to write immersive, character-driven stories that honor history without feeling like a textbook. First, we talk about the importance of writing contests. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: Research as foundation, story as focus Characters as people, not …

1
Balancing Emotional Depth and Action In Your Story 44:38

15d ago44:38

44:38

In this episode of Books with Hooks, author Judith Jaeger puts her query letter for ‘The Family We Choose’ in the spotlight. Carly and CeCe dig into what makes a query stand out—clear plot points, layered characters, and that all-important balance between heart and momentum.They offer practical feedback on sharpening present-day stakes and tighteni…

1
Developing Better Plots Using a Character-Driven Approach with Daniel David Wallace 27:36

16d ago27:36

27:36

Send me a Text Message! Struggling with how to write a thriller that grabs readers immediately? In this interview, writing expert Daniel David Wallace shares game-changing writing tips for crafting plots that keep readers hooked from page one. Daniel, creator of the Character First Writing Approach and host of Escape the Plot Forest summit, reveals…

1
Weaviate and SAS with Saurabh Mishra and Bob van Luijt - Weaviate Podcast #129! 43:55

18d ago43:55

43:55

This episode dives into Weaviate's partnership with SAS! We are super excited about our recent collaboration on the SAS Retrieval Agent Manager (RAM), featuring a first party integration with Weaviate! The podcast dives into all sorts of aspects of Enterprise AI adoption from what has changed, to what has NOT changed with recent breakthroughs in AI…

1
Shooting the Shit: About digital first book deals and negative experiences with writers' contests. 34:25

19d ago34:25

34:25

In this episode, Carly and CeCe spill all on their latest conference adventures, dive into the fast-changing world of digital-first publishing, and tackle the tricky art of managing client expectations. They get real about ethics in the industry, read some juicy listener DMs, and share why communication is everything in this competitive publishing …

1
Traci Abramson - Victim #8 19:42

22d ago19:42

19:42

Former CIA officer Traci Hunter Abramson trades classified briefings for bestselling novels, written with the kind of authenticity only experience can give. We talk about her latest, Victim #8, how a layover in Istanbul sparked a story, and why her years in the Agency still shape every page.By Terry Shepherd

1
Writing Science Fiction: The “One Big Leap” and Beyond 18:53

23d ago18:53

18:53

Science fiction bends natural laws with speculation grounded in possibility. In this episode, we explore the foundations of sci-fi storytelling. Plus: publishing news on new imprints, prize controversies, AI audiobooks, and why indie presses are thriving. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: The “one big lie” principle. Science as a lens to ask bigger que…

1
Atlassian Rovo AI grows to 3 million monthly users 21:02

22d ago21:02

21:02

What a difference six months makes: after adjusting its product pricing and bundling in April during its Team 25 US conference, Atlassian now says adoption for its Rovo AI products has taken off. The company's head of AI product talks about what changed, what's new at the Team 25 Europe conference this week, and what's ahead for Atlassian AI. Featu…

1
How to Write Thrillers That Actually Matter with Aaron Philip Clark 32:31

22d ago32:31

32:31

Send me a Text Message! What if the setting you choose could be as morally complex as your protagonist? In this episode, USA Today bestselling author Aaron Philip Clark pulls back the curtain on how he crafts crime fiction that thrills and matters. Aaron reveals: his process for weaving heavy themes into page-turners without slowing the pace why he…

1
Insights from Marjan Kamali and Kirsten Miller 1:11:39

22d ago1:11:39

1:11:39

Today’s author interview episode features two interviews! The first is with Kirsten Miller, author of The Women of Wild Hill, and the second is with Marjan Kamali, the NYT bestselling author of The Lion Women of Tehran. First up, Bianca chats with Kirsten as they delve into how fury can fuel your writing, ensuring that you keep going when staring d…

1
#163: Indyana Schneider — Lessons from an Opera Singer Who Wrote Her Novel on the Tube; Rhythm, Desire & Tension for Fiction Writers 1:04:53

23d ago1:04:53

1:04:53

Indyana Schneider—international opera singer and novelist—shares practical ways to write rhythm and desire on the page, craft scene-level tension, and shape compressed-time narratives; plus lessons from drafting her debut on the Tube. You'll learn: How to build sentence-level cadence: vary lengths and read aloud to tune flow. A simple spine for sho…

1
Taylor Swift vs. Charli XCX: When “Actually Romantic” Met “Sympathy Is a Knife” 14:38

24d ago14:38

14:38

In this solo mini-episode of Write Your Heart Out, host Kayla Ogden dives headfirst into the lyrical feud—or maybe flirtation?—between pop titans Taylor Swift and Charli XCX. With Taylor’s The Life of a Showgirl and Charli’s Brat still dominating playlists, Kayla unpacks the songs that set off a thousand think-pieces: “Actually Romantic” and “Sympa…

1
Raymond E. Foster - Chasing the Surge 22:01

25d ago22:01

22:01

By Terry Shepherd

1
Shooting the Shit About External Publicity, Publishing in the age of Kickstarter, and the alleged gambling problem 46:05

26d ago46:05

46:05

They’re back! Carly and CeCe are talking about all things publishing — the chaos, the business, and the fun. This week they dive into: When (and why) to hire a publicist What it really takes to make it as an agent How Ali Hazelwood & Adriana Herrera raised $1M on Kickstarter Lauren Martin’s viral Porsche essay and women owning their power Why publi…

1
Writing Fantasy: Building Worlds That Breathe 18:08

30d ago18:08

18:08

This week, we journey into the realm of fantasy and uncover how to build worlds that feel alive without overwhelming your readers with exposition. Tune in for writing advice, publishing insights, and a well-deserved writing break. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: Roddy Doyle’s blunt remarks about weak submissions, fonts, and page counts The role of ru…

1
Untangling Complex Queries: Writing with Clarity Across Timelines 38:03

29d ago38:03

38:03

In this episode of Books with Hooks, Carly and CeCe break down a speculative query that juggles multiple timelines and POVs. They explore the craft challenges of pitching complex narratives, from maintaining clarity to grounding readers in emotional depth. The discussion digs into how to use (or avoid) prologues, strategies for balancing ambition w…

1
146 How to turn 'wasted' drafts and subverted tropes into your writing superpower with Charlene Wang 14:49

30d ago14:49

14:49

Send me a Text Message! What if the tropes you love are actually holding your thriller back? In this episode, Charlene Wang reveals how she transformed the beloved campus novel into a feminist revenge thriller by strategically subverting genre expectations. And the results landed her a major book deal. You'll discover the counterintuitive truth abo…

1
Storytime 4: Blair Visscher reads “Easy Dark,” plus Dave Richanbach’s Poe-esque prose and MJ’s “Strangers” 39:37

1M ago39:37

39:37

Kayla and Rachel host a reader-submitted showcase featuring three luminous poems by Blair Vischer—“Easy Dark,” “Halfway Heroes,” and “Salt”—plus Rachel’s one-hour continuation of her “Enemies to Lovers” work-in-progress, a moody, Poe-tinted short piece by Dave Richanbach that riffs on “more weight” and the Salem trials, and MJ’s aching new poem “St…

1
Heather Ogden - The Betrayal 17:12

1M ago17:12

17:12

In a world where loyalty can be the sharpest weapon and truth itself is treason, debut novelist Heather Ogden invites us into the haunting depths of her new dystopian fantasy, The Betrayal—the first in The Lies We Fear series. With a passion for fantasy and magical realism, Heather has crafted a story that blends mysterious magic, hidden truths, an…

1
September Bonus Episode 1:06:19

1M ago1:06:19

1:06:19

It’s bonus episode time! We’re thrilled to welcome back Emilie Sommer for her popular comps segment. But first, Bianca sits down with bestselling author Hank Phillippi Ryan to talk about her latest thriller, ‘All This Could Be Yours’. They dive into the realities of book tours, the challenges writers face in the spotlight, and the layered psycholog…

1
#162: Natalie Lue — Publishing Mini-Memoirs, Writing Difficult Truths, Choosing Indie Publishing 42:22

1M ago42:22

42:22

Natalie Lue, bestselling author and writer (Baggage Reclaim) shares how she shaped her mini-memoirs Let Go (Family & Friction) with The Pound Project, why intention is your best editor, and the inner tools that helped her write through grief, illness, and complicated family ties — without turning her life into content. You’ll learn How to decide if…

1
Writing Romance and 9 Lessons from a Debut Author 13:21

1M ago13:21

13:21

In this episode, we’ll explore the chemistry, conflict, and tropes that make romance irresistible, plus hear nine hard-won lessons from debut author Esther Walker. Even if you’re not writing romance, these insights will make you a stronger storyteller and a more resilient writer. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: The default response from agents and pu…

1
145 The View from the Slush Pile: A Literary Agent's Fresh Take on What Works with Tommy Dean 20:19

1M ago20:19

20:19

Send me a Text Message! What if I told you that right now, while established agents are drowning in hundreds of submissions, there's a brand new literary agent who's actively building his client list and genuinely excited to discover your manuscript? In this episode, Tommy Dean shares what makes him your ideal partner in this industry. Tommy shares…

1
Plausibility: Serendipity and Kismet vs. Coincidence 32:05

1M ago32:05

32:05

Bestselling author Bianca Marais sits down with New York Times bestselling author of multiple novels, Marissa Stapley (writing as Julia McKay) to unwrap the magic behind her latest novel, ‘Christmas at the Ranch.’ From swoony romance and second chances to the inspiration that fueled the story, Marissa pulls back the curtain on her writing process. …

1
"Show Don’t Tell" debunked 50:39

1M ago50:39

50:39

This week we go full craft-nerd. Kayla shares how adding interiority (yes, telling!) is transforming Pillow Forts Down, and we break down the long-misunderstood “show, don’t tell” rule—from Chekhov to Hemingway’s iceberg theory—and land on a modern balance: show and tell. We walk through quick edit tools (for every scene: desire, fear, misbelief), …

1
Stephen K. Postema - Running Around Town 26:42

1M ago26:42

26:42

Stephen Postema started running in Kindergarten. His strides through Ann Arbor, Michigan in the 60s and 70s became a metaphor for a city and nation in evolution.By Terry Shepherd

1
Weaviate's Query Agent with Charles Pierse - Weaviate Podcast #128! 1:01:32

1M ago1:01:32

1:01:32

Charles Pierse is the Director of the Weaviate Labs team, where he has recently lead the GA release of the Weaviate Query Agent. The podcast begins with the journey from alpha to GA release, discussing unexpected lessons and the collaborations between teams at Weaviate. Continuing on the product design, we cover the design of the Python and TypeScr…

1
Shooting the Shit Live From New York! 29:22

1M ago29:22

29:22

Fresh off the People of Publishing Conference in NYC, Carly and CeCe spill all the tea! From why newsletters are hotter than ever, to the high-stakes drama of book auctions, to the buzz around the creator economy—they’ve got stories, laughs, and insider tips you won’t want to miss. Networking, publishing, and plenty of laughs: this episode has it a…

1
#161: Sarah Hall — Writing Award-Winning Short Stories & Literary Fiction, Evocative Landscape & Creative Freedom; Booker-Nominated Writer 1:07:20

1M ago1:07:20

1:07:20

Sarah Hall—twice Booker Prize–nominated author and the only writer to win the BBC National Short Story Award twice—on crafting fiction that is both lush and uncompromising, and how to captivate readers on the sentence level while staying true to creative freedom. We discuss: Her early reading life in the countryside and the characters who first spa…

1
Sam Daley-Harris - Reclaiming Our Democracy: Every Citizen’s Guide to Transformational Advocacy 28:01

1M ago28:01

28:01

Sam Daley-Harris has updated and expanded his classic work, Reclaiming Our Democracy: Every Citizen’s Guide to Transformational Advocacy. And it's become a playbook for positive change. Get the Book: https://www.amazon.com/Reclaiming-Our-Democracy-Citizens-Transformational/dp/1953943381By Terry Shepherd

1
Writing Thrillers and Suspense: Raising the Stakes 16:03

1M ago16:03

16:03

What makes a thriller thrilling? In this episode of Writing Break, we discuss pacing, stakes, suspense, and more. We also look at what, if anything, BookTok can do for you. Spread a little love by subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing Writing Break with a fellow writer who loves a good thrill. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: The key differences …

1
How to Find The Hook in Your Book 46:13

1M ago46:13

46:13

In this episode of Books with Hooks, hosts Bianca, Carly and CeCe chat with Leslie, winner of our flash fiction contest, about her query letter for a YA dystopian novel. They explore the story’s themes, how to structure a compelling query, and why tension and stakes are key. Carly and CeCe weigh in with feedback on character depth, the virus’s role…

1
Charles Philipp Martin - Rented Grave 18:06

1M ago18:06

18:06

Charles Philipp Martin's Rented Grave, re-introduces Inspector Herman Lok, delving deep into the underbelly of Hong Kong, a city caught between modern ambition and the haunting legacy of Mao’s Cultural Revolution.By Terry Shepherd

1
Storytime 3: Scott Gibson reads "Fairytale of Bangkok", and we finally get MJ's "Elon" 45:01

1M ago45:01

45:01

This week we’re back with a Storytime episode! Kayla shares a whirlwind night at a Mountain View writers group (hello, kindred spirits), then we dive into short pieces we wrote in under 2 hours. We’re also featuring two terrific listener pieces: “Fairytale in Bangkok” by Scott Gibson — a tender, whiskey-soaked poem about young love. Scott is curren…