Best amquerying Podcasts (2026)

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Big Auction Debuts and What Brings You Back to the Page 1:01:34

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2d ago1:01:34

1:01:34

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, …

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December Bonus Episode 1:39:48

4d ago1:39:48

1:39:48

In our final bonus episode of 2025, we uncover what really happens inside a literary agency. This week, we’re giving you a fly-on-the-wall look at a real agent meeting. CeCe is joined by fellow agents from Wendy Sherman Associates to talk trends, romantasy, cover reveals, editor movement, author marketing pressure, and what agents actually do after…

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The Job of a Disruption 42:20

8d ago42:20

42:20

In this festive episode, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe unwrap two juicy query critiques! First up: — a whodunit-meets-reality-TV mashup where The Bachelor collides with Death on the Nile. The trio dishes on comps overload, missing love stories, and why “cozy romance” needs more than vibes. Then, a chilling turn with a literary horror set in Alaska. CeCe …

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256 Martin Smith & Will Adams | Satirical Sci-fi Authors and former Douglas Adams Collaborators 30:08

3d ago30:08

30:08

Satirical science fiction writers and former co-writers of Douglas Adams, Martin Smith and Will Adams are with us this week, chatting about their debut novel 'Consequences', stories of their time writing and performing with Douglas Adams and a candid chat about the publishing industry and the problems they ran into whilst publishing with Amazon. Su…

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Shooting the Shit About Your Deepest and Darkest Book Money Questions: PART ONE 38:08

12d ago38:08

38:08

Money. Advances. Royalties. Envy. Agenting. In this no-holds-barred part one episode, Carly and CeCe crack open the money conversations writers are told not to have—and answer your most anonymous, anxiety-inducing questions about the business of publishing. From six-figure deal myths and what “earning out” actually means, to whether writing can be …

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The Evolution of a Novel 30:20

15d ago30:20

30:20

On this week’s episode, Bianca chats with Belfast-born writer Gráinne O’Hare, author of the hilarious, tender, and irresistibly relatable debut novel ‘Thirst Trap’. They discuss the evolution of Thirst Trap—from messy drafts to its final form, capturing the chaos, grief, and wild nights of your 20s, writing nuanced female friendships, crafting auth…

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255 Kerry Whittle | Mystery Thriller Author and Journalist 23:51

18d ago23:51

23:51

Mystery/thriller author Kerry Whittle drops by this week to chat about her debut novel and the wedding table that inspired it as well as the differences between publishing and journalism. 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 Cho…

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Shooting the Shit About How Much Agents Share 47:20

18d ago47:20

47:20

Do agents talk about your queries behind the scenes? 👀 In this episode of Shooting the Shit, Carly and CeCe kick things off with winter sadsies, Brazilian brigadeiros, and an advent-calendar scandal before diving into the real talk writers need. They break down whether agents share queries with each other, if comping an agent’s own clients helps or…

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Quiet Stories, Big Stakes 38:30

22d ago38:30

38:30

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 insig…

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254 Adrian Tchaikovsky | Science Fiction and Fantasy Author 38:00

17d ago38:00

38:00

International bestselling SFF author, Adrian Tchaikovsky joins us this week to chat about his many upcoming releases including a novella, a graphic novel, a new Warhammer story and the latest in his Children of Time series. We also go back to his start as a writer, the many years he spent looking for an agent and how the industry has changed over t…

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Shooting the Shit: About the hidden side of best-of-year lists, AI worries, and the "midlist bestseller" 35:53

26d ago35:53

35:53

In this week’s Shooting the Shit, Carly and CeCe dive into the chaos that is publishing in December—best-of-year lists, midlist “bestsellers,” AI anxiety, and the eternal question: Are books becoming luxury items?! They unpack fresh sales stats, why returns matter more than you think, real talk about authors’ AI fears, and the emotional rollercoast…

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Plotting With Fate 36:42

30d ago36:42

36:42

In this episode, Carly welcomes her co-writing clients Tracy Dobmeier and Wendy Katzman — authors of ‘10,000 Light Years from OK’ — to talk about their heartfelt, writer-centric sophomore novel. If you love stories about love, hope, courage, and the wild coincidences that make us believe in something bigger… this one’s for you. ‘10,000 Light Years …

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253 Rachel Neely | Literary Agent 26:57

24d ago26:57

26:57

Editor turned literary agent Rachel Neely is with us this week to talk about her journey from editor to agent, a bit behind the curtain of both roles and what sorts of stories she's looking to add to her list. Support the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, ad-free and a week ahead of everyone else. 🙏 For audio listeners: Spotify Apple Am…

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Shooting the Shit: About agent burnout and the problems facing small publishers and booksellers 36:35

1M ago36:35

36:35

Carly and CeCe are back—one in snowy Canada, one in flower-crown Hawaii—and they’re diving into burnout, the business of books, and the spicy gossip that only happens at publishing conferences. The dynamic duo cover everything from agent burnout, the power of booksellers and more conference chaos. You don’t want to miss this week’s episode! Can you…

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The Pinball Effect in Fiction 22:01

1M ago22:01

22:01

In this Books with Hooks episode, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe dig into two submissions—a YA fantasy query and a memoir/nonfiction hybrid. They unpack why centering a protagonist matters, how to sharpen specificity in quests, what makes prologues succeed (or fail), and why memoir queries need a clear narrative arc. Expect candid advice on worldbuilding,…

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252 Dan Coxon | Writer & Editor of Fiction and Non-Fiction 32:02

1M ago32:02

32:02

Dan Coxon is here to chat about his new book, the fourth in his essay anthology series on writing as well as his journey to become a freelance editor. 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's ot…

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November Bonus Episode 51:37

1M ago51:37

51:37

In part one of November’s bonus episode, bestselling author Patricia Sands joins Bianca to share how she started writing at 65, indie-pubbed her way to being approached by Amazon’s Lake Union, and built a devoted readership along the way. They chat about writing for joy, setting publishing goals for yourself, the pros and cons of indie vs tradition…

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When Writing Gets Personal: Two Authors on Vulnerability and Voice 1:19:15

1M ago1:19:15

1:19:15

In part one of this week’s author interview, CeCe Lyra connects with clinical psychologist, couples therapist, and bestselling author Dr. Tracy Dalgleish to talk about her new book ‘You, Your Husband and His Mother’—a candid look at one of the biggest sources of relationship tension: in-laws. It’s a conversation about courage, creativity, and the m…

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251 Iman Hariri-Kia | Contemporary Fiction and Romance Author 35:47

1M ago35:47

35:47

Contemporary fiction and romance author, Iman Hariri-Kia is here talking about how much fun she had writing her latest novel, 'Female Fantasy', the power of the romance genre, expressing different parts of herself through her different novels and her parents' reactions to reading her sex scenes. Support the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episo…

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Shooting the Shit...Live from Hawaii! About turning down offers and how best to work with your literary agent. 24:59

2M ago24:59

24:59

CeCe’s in island mode, Carly’s snowed in—and the publishing chat is heating up. From lost luggage and red-eye flights to turning down book deals and navigating TV/film rights, this week’s episode covers it all. Plus: AI pitch letters (hard no!), why Harper Collins’ “bad quarter” matters, and a little optimism for the analog future of reading. ☀️ Bo…

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Murder, Metafiction, and Query Letter Mayhem 43:43

2M ago43:43

43:43

Carly and CeCe are back (with a little Blue Jays banter to start) to dive into two fresh query letters. In this episode, the hosts critique a historical novel featuring Shakespeare, conspiracies, and metafiction—but does the query overshare and under-pitch? Next up is a campus-set thriller with book clubs, murder, and female rage—great hook, but ar…

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250 Ciara Finan | Literary Agent 29:11

2M ago29:11

29:11

Literary agent, Ciara Finan joins to chat about her journey through publishing, what she's looking for in query letters and agents becoming more pro-active and seeking out fiction writers online through social media and other content platforms. Support the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, ad-free and a week ahead of everyone else. 🙏 Fo…

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Shooting the Shit Live From LA! About Page to Screen and NaNoWriMo 40:04

2M ago40:04

40:04

Carly’s reporting live from Los Angeles and CeCe’s just back from a rom-com-gone-wrong trip to Ottawa (complete with flight chaos and airport bathroom glam). From bribing airline staff with books to rolling up to Netflix, the travel stories are top-tier comedy. Then they dive into Hollywood talk — what’s actually getting adapted from page to screen…

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Success after 800 Rejections! 29:22

2M ago29:22

29:22

Author and agent Jenna Satterthwaite joins Bianca to talk about her new thriller ‘The New Year’s Party’, a murder mystery packed with secrets, friendship, and chaos. Jenna opens up about her 800+ rejections, writing through grief, finding joy in storytelling, and why she’s radically transparent about money and publishing. Tune in for real talk abou…

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249 Nina Millns | Author, Playwright, Screenwriter and Audio Writer 32:56

2M ago32:56

32:56

Author, screenwriter and playwright, Nina Millns joins us this week to chat about writing across different disciplines, working with the Dr Who team, finding her agent and then losing her and ultimately reconnecting with her, and our shared love of Ursula K. Le Guin. Support the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, ad-free and a week ahead…

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Shooting the Shit About Winning Author Mindsets and Agent Submission Timelines 43:37

2M ago43:37

43:37

They are back! CeCe’s in Ottawa, Carly’s in LA — but the tea is still hot! They break down Q3 book sales (romance + thrillers took a hit), talk timing for submissions, decode what agent feedback really means, and dive into the “good news comes fast” myth. Plus: AI scam alerts and why rejection is just part of the game. Note: CeCe Lyra is a literary…

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

2M 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…

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248 Olivie Blake | International Bestselling Fiction Author 35:36

2M ago35:36

35:36

NYT and Sunday Times bestseller Olivie Blake joins us this week to chat about her new book "Girl Dinner", her writing process, how she went self-publishing to traditional publishing and her upcoming graphic novel with illustrator, Little Chmura. Support the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, ad-free and a week ahead of everyone else. 🙏 F…

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October Bonus Episode 27:06

2M 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…

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For The Love of Writing 27:21

2M 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…

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247 Alis Hawkins & Emma Corfield Walters | Crime/Mystery Author alongside an Independent Bookshop Owner 31:47

2M ago31:47

31:47

Crime and mystery novelist, Alis Hawkins is here alongside her good friend Emma Corfield Walters who co-founded, owns and runs Book-ish, an independent bookshop in Crickhowell (and now also Abergavenny). We had a great chat about how Alis and Emma got to where they are and the value of booksellers and authors knowing each other on a personal level.…

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

3M 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 …

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Balancing Emotional Depth and Action In Your Story 44:38

3M 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…

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246 Becky Thomas | Literary Agent and Founder of Lewinsohn Literary Agency 23:14

3M ago23:14

23:14

Literary agent, Becky Thomas is here, talking about how she became a literary agent, her experiences in the industry and founding her own agency. We also get into lots of advice for querying agents and some of the early impacts of AI on publishing. Support the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, ad-free and a week ahead of everyone else. …

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

3M 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 …

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

3M 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…

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245 Sarah Beth Durst | Bestselling Fantasy Author 29:05

3M ago29:05

29:05

Fantasy author Sarah Beth Durst swings by to chat about her latest cosy fantasy novel, writing fantasy across all of its different sub-genres and age groups as well as the long and winding roads of publishing. Support the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, ad-free and a week ahead of everyone else. 🙏 For audio listeners: Spotify Apple Am…

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

3M 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…

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

3M 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…

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244 Leeanne Slade | Audible's Best of the Year 2023 & 2024 Romance Author 30:51

3M ago30:51

30:51

Romance author, Leeanne Slade joins us this week to chat about her fourth novel, burnt toast theory and embracing her unexpected and amazing publishing journey as an audiobook first author. Find out more about IngramSpark: www.ingramspark.com/learnmore Support the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, ad-free and a week ahead of everyone el…

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September Bonus Episode 1:06:19

3M 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…

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Plausibility: Serendipity and Kismet vs. Coincidence 32:05

3M 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. …

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243 Lucy Jane Wood | Cosy Fantasy Author and YouTube Vlogger 34:26

3M ago34:26

34:26

Cosy fantasy author and YouTube vlogger, Lucy Jane Wood is here. Tune in to hear about the amazing tale of how a vlog about a trip she did to New York ended up landing her a publishing deal! Find out more about IngramSpark: www.ingramspark.com/learnmore Support the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, ad-free and a week ahead of everyone e…

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Shooting the Shit Live From New York! 29:22

3M 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…

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How to Find The Hook in Your Book 46:13

4M 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…

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242 Carmela Dutra | Cosy Mystery Author and Indie Picture Book Writer/Illustrator 23:59

3M ago23:59

23:59

Cosy mystery author and indie picture book writer and illustrator Carmela Dutra joins us this week to chat about how she persevered through years of querying before landing an agent and a two book publishing deal! Find out more about IngramSpark: www.ingramspark.com/learnmore Support the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, ad-free and a w…

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Shooting The Shit: About book blurb culture, how to sell a book in a “tough category” and the Anthropic Settlement 51:47

4M ago51:47

51:47

In this episode of Shooting the Shit, Carly and CeCe tackle some of publishing’s messiest realities with their usual mix of honesty and humor. They dig into the alarming trend of agents offering representation with 24-hour decision windows—and why that’s predatory. The conversation then shifts to the world of blurbs: pre-written pitches, the hidden…

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Intentionality! Intentionality! Intentionality! 30:57

4M ago30:57

30:57

In this engaging conversation, Bianca interviews Danya Kukafka, the author of 'Notes on an Execution.' They discuss the inspiration behind the novel, the evolution of its story, and the intentionality behind character perspectives. Danya shares insights into her writing process, the unique narrative style of ‘Ansel’, and the importance of exploring…

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241 Lucas Maxwell | Children's Author, School Librarian and Dungeon Master 36:32

4M ago36:32

36:32

Author, school librarian and dungeon master Lucas Maxwell is on the podcast this week to chat about winning the Times/Chicken House competition to publish his debut fiction novel, how table top RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons can benefit school communities and the day to day of a school librarian. Find out more about IngramSpark: www.ingramspark.com/l…

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Shooting the Shit: Why the industry publishes so many (too many!) books and how to spot a writerly phishing scam 43:38

4M ago43:38

43:38

In this episode of Shooting the Shit, Carly and CeCe kick things off with a little post–Labor Day catch-up before diving into the big stuff: staying sane while juggling work, life, and endless TBR piles. They tackle the rise of phishing scams targeting writers, breaking down the warning signs every author should know before signing with an agent. T…

Amquerying Podcasts