Best amquerying Podcasts (2025)

1
Replacing Plot with Emotion in Quiet Novels 26:06

Play Pause

1h ago26:06

26:06

In this engaging conversation, Bianca interviews debut author Lidija Hilje. Her articles and essays were published in the New York Times, and other outlets. She runs a book club for writers with a membership of close to 100, and is an active member of the WFWA.The authors discuss her novel 'Slanting Towards the Sea,' exploring themes of literary ci…

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#231 - Faye Brann 33:33

1d ago33:33

33:33

Comedy and crime writer, Faye Brann is with us this week chatting about her second novel, the choice to become a hybrid author and the differences between independent publishing and traditional publishing. Support the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, ad-free and a week ahead of everyone else. 🙏 For audio listeners: Spotify Apple Amazon…

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June Bonus Episode 1:03:10

3d ago1:03:10

1:03:10

In part one of this month’s bonus episode, Bianca Marais chats with New York Times bestselling author Lucy Foley about her shift from historical fiction to gripping thrillers. They dive into the essential role of setting, atmosphere, and character development in her novels, and Lucy shares how she builds suspense and keeps readers guessing with tec…

1
Emotions—But Make It Messy 35:53

7d ago35:53

35:53

In this exciting episode of Books with Hooks, Bianca, CeCe, and Carly sit down with Casey, winner of the Masana Literary Project Fundraiser, to chat about her debut novel, ‘The Break of Light.’ The hosts dive deep into Casey’s query letter, unpacking the story’s emotional layers, compelling plot, and rich character dynamics. CeCe and Carly offer sh…

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#230 - Fiona Cummins 37:20

9d ago37:20

37:20

Bestselling crime thriller author, Fiona Cummins is with us this week chatting about wishing she could plot her novels, learning and then teaching with the Faber Academy and how big splashy deals don't always lead to a sustainable writing career. Support the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, ad-free and a week ahead of everyone else. 🙏 …

1
How Withholding Backstory and Context Can Actually Elevate A Story 30:00

15d ago30:00

30:00

In this inspiring interview, Bianca connects with debut author Aisling Rawle and dives into ‘The Compound’—a dark, gripping tale set in the twisted world of reality TV. She opens up about her unconventional path to publishing, the pivotal role her literary agent played, and the novel’s central themes of desire, materialism, and social critique. Ais…

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#229 - Faith Hogan 26:34

16d ago26:34

26:34

Contemporary fiction author, Faith Hogan joins us this week to chat about her career as novelist, her process and writing crime fiction as Geraldine Hogan. Support the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, ad-free and a week ahead of everyone else. 🙏 For audio listeners: Spotify Apple Amazon Listen to The Chosen Ones and Other Tropes, Jamie…

1
One of the Best Hooks We’ve Had on a BWH Segment 35:44

22d ago35:44

35:44

Pop the champagne—it’s the 200th episode of Books with Hooks! Join hosts Bianca, Carly, and CeCe as they celebrate this major milestone with signature style and sharp writing advice. In this special segment, they dive into two fresh submissions: a gripping crime thriller and a thought-provoking book club novel. Carly and CeCe deliver expert feedbac…

1
#228 - Juliet Pickering 41:57

23d ago41:57

41:57

Literary agent, Juliet Pickering returns to the podcast to chat about the things that have changed in publishing over the past few years as well as the latest stories and authors that she's looking out for! Support the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, ad-free and a week ahead of everyone else. 🙏 For audio listeners: Spotify Apple Amazo…

1
Bianca and CeCe Discuss The Real Sh*t No One Tells You About Writing 36:15

28d ago36:15

36:15

In this special episode, CeCe Lyra sits down with our very own Bianca Marais to explore her writing journey, with a spotlight on her latest novel, ‘A Most Puzzling Murder.’ If you’re not already familiar with her work, Bianca is the bestselling author of ‘The Witches of Moonshyne Manor’, the beloved novels ‘Hum If You Don’t Know the Words’ and ‘If …

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#227 - Olivia Maidment 25:58

30d ago25:58

25:58

Literary agent and Head of Books, Olivia Maidment joins us this week to chat about her career in publishing, her list of authors and the dos and don't of query letters! Support the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, ad-free and a week ahead of everyone else. 🙏 For audio listeners: Spotify Apple Amazon Listen to The Chosen Ones and Other …

1
Concrete vs. Abstract Curiosity 43:36

1M ago43:36

43:36

In this special episode of Books with Hooks, author Kate Visser joins hosts Bianca, Carly and CeCe to share insights about her query letter for her YA fantasy novel, 'Stage of Shadows.' Carly and Cece dissect the strengths and weaknesses of Kate’s pitch, particularly focusing on character arcs, world-building, and the complexities of dual POV narra…

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#226 - Tegan Phillips and Dan O'Brien 39:56

1M ago39:56

39:56

Romance author Tegan Philips and her editor Dan O'Brien join us this week to talk about Tegan's debut sports romance novel, writing about chronic illness, why ice hockey is so successful in the romance genre and the relationship of an author and their editor. Support the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, ad-free and a week ahead of ever…

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May Bonus Episode 2:32:21

1M ago2:32:21

2:32:21

In the first part of this month’s bonus episode, Carly Watters interviews Anna Mitchael, an accomplished author and copywriter. Anna discusses her writing journey, experiences in magazine publishing, and the art of storytelling through vignettes. They discuss the importance of building relationships in the writing community, the unique format of vi…

1
How a Books With Hooks Query Became a Buzzy Debut 28:16

1M ago28:16

28:16

In this eye-opening episode, Bianca Marais interviews Jessica Guerrieri, author of 'Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea.' They discuss Jessica's journey from teaching special education to becoming a published author, her experiences with addiction recovery, and the evolution of her debut novel. They discuss the intricacies of writing, the impor…

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#225 - Eleanor Pilcher 36:02

1M ago36:02

36:02

Contemporary fiction writer and award winning book marketer, Eleanor Pilcher joins us this week to chat about the release of her debut novel, her decade of experience in publishing and tips for authors who are looking to get a little bit more exposure for their books. Support the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, ad-free and a week ahea…

1
Leaning into Illustrator Notes & CeCe Not Minding a But, But 41:45

2M ago41:45

41:45

In this episode of Books with Hooks, Bianca, CeCe, and Carly dive into a YA fantasy romance query, breaking down what works—and what doesn’t—when it comes to character arcs, high stakes, and spot-on comp titles. The hosts then shift gears to a picture book query, spotlighting the power of a strong hook and truly kid-focused storytelling. Packed wit…

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#224 - Jaysea Lynn 23:36

2M ago23:36

23:36

Fantasy romance author and TikTok sensation Jaysea Lynn joins this episode to discuss her storytelling journey—from creating a series of comedy skits on TikTok to writing a prequel novel based on that series, nearly self-publishing, and ultimately becoming traditionally published! Support the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, ad-free an…

1
Nuggets of Wisdom from Carley Fortune and Sue Hincenbergs 55:41

2M ago55:41

55:41

In part one of this week's author interviews, Bianca sits down with Canadian superstar writer, Carley Fortune. The authors discuss her latest novel 'One Golden Summer', reflecting on her creative process, the challenges of writing under pressure, and the importance of character development. She shares insights into navigating reader expectations an…

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#223 - Heidi Swain 21:45

2M ago21:45

21:45

Bestselling romantic fiction writer, Heidi Swain joins us this week to chat about her twentieth novel, how she landed her book deals before having an agent and how she tackles writing two novels a year. 💖 Join the Patreon 🙏 Support the show and get access to the extended episodes and more! 📚 The Chosen Ones and Other Tropes 🥳 Jamie, Melissa and Noa…

1
The Problem with the Blank Canvas Protagonist 44:13

2M ago44:13

44:13

In this episode of Books with Hooks, hosts Bianca, CeCe, and Carly first review a query letter for literary fiction, providing insights on emotional depth in character relationships. The conversation emphasizes the need for clarity in plot points and the importance of avoiding the blank canvas protagonist so readers can be engaged and connect with …

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#222 - Simon Mason 28:18

2M ago28:18

28:18

Adult crime/thriller/mystery and children's author, Simon Mason is on the podcast chatting about his latest works as well as his experiences over three decades of writing and working within the publishing industry. 💖 Join the Patreon 🙏 Support the show and get access to the extended episodes and more! 📚 The Chosen Ones and Other Tropes 🥳 Jamie, Mel…

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April Bonus Episode 49:01

2M ago49:01

49:01

In the first part of this bonus episode, Bianca interviews Lauren Ling Brown, author of 'Society of Lies.' They discuss Lauren’s journey to publication, the intricacies of writing dual perspectives and timelines, and the importance of social commentary in her work. Lauren shares insights into her writing process, the challenges of character develop…

1
An Ingenious Query Hack 30:57

2M ago30:57

30:57

In this informative author interview, Bianca connects with debut novelist Sarah Damoff to discuss her novel, ‘The Bright Years’ which explores the complexities of family dynamics and addiction. Sarah shares her journey through the publishing landscape, the challenges of finding the right agent, the ingenious query hack she used, and the evolution o…

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#221 - Abigail Johnson 27:31

2M ago27:31

27:31

Contemporary fiction author, Abigail Johnson is here to chat about writing her first novel and the journey to publication. Abigail shares her experiences of writing courses and being short and long listed for several awards before finding her agent. 💖 Join the Patreon 🙏 Support the show and get access to the extended episodes and more! 📚 The Chosen…

1
Why Plot and Specificity are a Query Letter's Best Friends 49:35

3M ago49:35

49:35

In this episode of Books with Hooks, hosts Bianca Marais, Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra welcome querying author Debbie Whittall to discuss her query letter for her debut novel, 'Linda/Linda.' Carly and CeCe address the challenges of representing a quiet novel in a query format. The discussion transitions to the pages of the manuscript, highlighting t…

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#220 - Sarah Harman 23:53

3M ago23:53

23:53

Contemporary fiction writer, Sarah Harman is here to chat about her debut novel, which she describes as a satirical thriller. Sarah shares the details about the nine way auction the book ended up in the UK as well as another auction in the US and a bidding war for the TV rights which were eventually secured by the team behind Disney FX's 'The Bear'…

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Ann Napolitano on Overcoming Rejection and Despair as Part of the Writing Life & Kirthana Ramisetti on The Art of Foreshadowing 1:05:46

3M ago1:05:46

1:05:46

In the first part of this episode, Bianca interviews Ann Napolitano, inspiring Oprah Book Club pick author of Hello Beautiful. During the multi-layered interview, Ann shares her journey as a writer, discussing the long path to publication, the importance of perseverance, and the role of gratitude in her success. She reflects on her experiences with…

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#219 - Eleanor Anstruther 36:32

3M ago36:32

36:32

Critically acclaimed literary fiction writer, Eleanor Anstruther tells us about how she has integrated Substack into her writing and publishing journey as well as her endeavours to figure out the best ways of being a hybrid author. 💖 Join the Patreon 🙏 Support the show and get access to the extended episodes and more! 📚 The Chosen Ones and Other Tr…

1
Stage Directions, Opening and How to Avoid Them 35:28

3M ago35:28

35:28

In this episode of Books with Hooks, hosts Bianca, Carly, and CeCe discuss the importance of clarity in storytelling, character development, and the need for emotional depth in writing. The conversation emphasizes the significance of engaging openings and the necessity of establishing strong connections between plot points. They also offer great ti…

1
March Bonus Episode 1:47:34

3M ago1:47:34

1:47:34

In the first part of this month’s bonus episode, Carly Watters interviews Bailey Hannah, a Canadian romance author known for her ‘Wells Ranch’ series. They talk about Bailey’s experience with going from self-publishing to traditional publishing, the importance of quality editing, and the impact of social media platforms like BookTok on author succe…

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#218 - Nicholas Binge 32:31

3M ago32:31

32:31

Bestselling speculative sci-fi author, Nicholas Binge is on the podcast chatting about his latest novel, Dissolution as well as his unusual writing process and going from blanket rejections to a five way auction with publishers! 💖 Join the Patreon 🙏 Support the show and get access to the extended episodes and more! 📚 The Chosen Ones and Other Trope…

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The Evolution of a Novel: Learning to Let Go 34:31

3M ago34:31

34:31

In this inspiring author interview, Bianca interviews Kath Jonathan, whose debut novel, 'The Resistance Painter', intertwines historical and contemporary narratives. They discuss Kath’s journey as a writer, and the personal challenges she faced, including health issues, over the twelve years she spent writing her novel. The authors chat about the e…

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#217 - Liza DeBlock 42:51

3M ago42:51

42:51

Literary agent, Liza DeBlock joins us this week to tell us about how she got into publishing and literary agency, what she is looking for in authors to add to her list and something to do with horrifying unicorns in Scotland. 💖 Join the Patreon 🙏 Support the show and get access to the extended episodes and more! 📚 The Chosen Ones and Other Tropes 🥳…

1
It's a Vibe: Plot Points & Emotional Vibes in Storytelling 41:36

4M ago41:36

41:36

In this episode of Books with Hooks, hosts Bianca, Carly and CeCe welcome special guest, literary agent, Lauren Spieller to discuss query letters in romance and fantasy genres. The hosts discuss the distinctions between Young Adult and Adult Fantasy, and the dynamics of character relationships. Lauren provides insightful critiques on a submitted qu…

1
#216 - Alex Hay 29:53

4M ago29:53

29:53

Historical fiction author, Alex Hay joins us this week to chat about the differences with plotting a heist versus a con, his time on the Curtis Brown writing course and landing his agent through the Caledonia Prize. 💖 Join the Patreon 🙏 Support the show and get access to the extended episodes and more! 📚 The Chosen Ones and Other Tropes 🥳 Jamie, Me…

1
Knowing the Shape of Your Story 31:40

4M ago31:40

31:40

Warning: mature content. In this insightful segment that will make you laugh out loud, Bianca interviews New York Times best-selling writer, Lamda Literary Award finalist and Shearling Fellowship recipient, Kristen Arnett, the author of 'Stop Me If You've Heard This One.' They discuss the unique aspects of Kristen's writing process, including her e…

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#215 - Sanam Mahloudji 29:22

4M ago29:22

29:22

Contemporary fiction writer, Sanam Mahloudji joins us to chat about her debut novel, The Persians, the ups and downs of her publication journey and how her personal experiences influenced the novel. 💖 Join the Patreon 🙏 Support the show and get access to the extended episodes and more! 📚 The Chosen Ones and Other Tropes 🥳 Jamie, Melissa and Noami t…

1
Using the 'Micro to Macro' Hack 34:41

4M ago34:41

34:41

In this episode of Books with Hooks, hosts Bianca, Carly, and CeCe dive into the intricacies of middle grade fantasy submissions. They discuss a query about a fantasy novel featuring a cat protagonist, exploring themes of family, sacrifice, and the stakes involved in the narrative. The conversation shifts to critiques of character development, emot…

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#214 - Éric Chacour 27:47

4M ago27:47

27:47

Contemporary fiction author, Éric Chacour is here to chat about the incredible success of his debut novel, 'Ce que je sais de toi' and the journey he and the novel have been on. We also chat a bit about publication and all the discovery that comes with that. 💖 Join the Patreon 🙏 Support the show and get access to the extended episodes and more! 📚 T…

1
Those Aha Moments That Arrive at the 80 000-Word Mark 28:21

4M ago28:21

28:21

In this engaging conversation, Bianca, interviews New York Times bestselling author Gillian McAllister. The author’s explore Gillian’s writing process, narrative techniques, and character development. Bianca and Gillian chat about the challenges of writing multi-POV novels, the organic twists that emerge during the writing process, and the importan…

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#213 - Lynn Buchanan 28:29

4M ago28:29

28:29

Fantasy author, Lynn Buchanan is here chatting about her writing journey, the Odyssey Writing Workshops and being a part of Brandon Sanderson's team at Dragonsteel. 💖 Join the Patreon 🙏 Support the show and get access to the extended episodes and more! 📚 The Chosen Ones and Other Tropes 🥳 Jamie, Melissa and Noami talk about all things writing, trop…

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February Bonus Episode 1:35:39

4M ago1:35:39

1:35:39

In the first engaging conversation of this bonus episode, Bianca interviews Booker Prize-nominated Charlotte Wood, the acclaimed author of Stone Yard Devotional. They delve into the challenges of writing quiet stories, the significance of visitations in the narrative, and the intentional choices behind the unnamed narrator. Wood discusses her uniqu…

1
Delving Deeply Into Your Antagonist's Psyche 44:37

4M ago44:37

44:37

In this segment of Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly and CeCe discuss a gothic horror novel submission as well as a psychological thriller. They highlight the importance of starting a story in the right place, the challenges of multi-POV narratives, and the need for clarity in character perspectives. The critique emphasizes the balance between emotio…

1
#212 - Jade Kavanagh 30:28

5M ago30:28

30:28

Literary agent, Jade Kavanagh joins us this week to chat about her career in publishing, what she is looking to add to her list and which genres might be on the up this year! 💖 Join the Patreon 🙏 Support the show and get access to the extended episodes and more! 📚 The Chosen Ones and Other Tropes 🥳 Jamie, Melissa and Noami talk about all things wri…

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The Stories We Tell Ourselves to Make Them More Palatable 33:06

5M ago33:06

33:06

In today’s author interview, Bianca chats with Sarah Chihaya about her memoir, Bibliophobia. During the conversation, they explore the profound impact of literature on identity and mental health. Sarah also reflects on her journey as a reader and writer, the complexities of navigating personal narratives, and the challenges of writing about trauma.…

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#211 - Lila Cain a.k.a. Marcia Hutchinson & Kate Griffin 27:21

5M ago27:21

27:21

Historical fiction co-authors, Kate Griffin and Marcia Hutchinson have teamed up as Lila Cain for 'The Blackbirds of St. Giles'. Tune in to the episode to hear all about their writing process, how they ended up meeting and writing together and much more! 💖 Join the Patreon 🙏 Support the show and get access to the extended episodes and more! 📚 The C…

1
What is Literary Burlesque and Can You Perform It? 48:08

5M ago48:08

48:08

In this segment of Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly and Cece discuss a memoir submission as well as a speculative thriller submission. They highlight the importance of balancing plot points with emotional depth; the significance of character development through interior monologue; how character arcs are crucial in memoir writing; the importance of b…

1
#210 - Celia Silvani 25:50

5M ago25:50

25:50

Contemporary fiction author, Celia Silvani is here to talk about her debut novel, Baby Teeth and the many years it has been in the making! 💖 Join the Patreon 🙏 Support the show and get access to the extended episodes and more! 📚 The Chosen Ones and Other Tropes 🥳 Jamie, Melissa and Noami talk about all things writing, tropes and publishing! ✍️ Writ…

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#209 - Isa Agajanian 27:41

5M ago27:41

27:41

Contemporary fantasy author and illustrator, Isa Agajanian is here to chat about her debut novel, which was originally self-published and has since become traditionally published with Tor. 💖 Join the Patreon 🙏 Support the show and get access to the extended episodes and more! 📚 The Chosen Ones and Other Tropes 🥳 Jamie, Melissa and Noami talk about …

Amquerying Podcasts