Best amquerying Podcasts (2025)

1
Success after 800 Rejections! 29:22

Play Pause

7h 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…

1
249 Nina Millns | Author, Playwright, Screenwriter and Audio Writer 32:56

3d 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…

1
Shooting the Shit About Winning Author Mindsets and Agent Submission Timelines 43:37

6d 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…

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

10d 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

10d 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…

1
October Bonus Episode 27:06

11d 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
For The Love of Writing 27:21

15d 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
247 Alis Hawkins & Emma Corfield Walters | Crime/Mystery Author alongside an Independent Bookshop Owner 31:47

19d 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.…

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

20d 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
Balancing Emotional Depth and Action In Your Story 44:38

22d 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
246 Becky Thomas | Literary Agent and Founder of Lewinsohn Literary Agency 23:14

24d 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. …

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

27d 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
Insights from Marjan Kamali and Kirsten Miller 1:11:39

1M 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
245 Sarah Beth Durst | Bestselling Fantasy Author 29:05

1M 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…

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

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

1M 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
244 Leeanne Slade | Audible's Best of the Year 2023 & 2024 Romance Author 30:51

1M 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…

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

2M 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…

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

2M 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
How to Find The Hook in Your Book 46:13

2M 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
242 Carmela Dutra | Cosy Mystery Author and Indie Picture Book Writer/Illustrator 23:59

2M 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…

1
Shooting The Shit: About book blurb culture, how to sell a book in a “tough category” and the Anthropic Settlement 51:47

2M 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…

1
Intentionality! Intentionality! Intentionality! 30:57

2M 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…

1
241 Lucas Maxwell | Children's Author, School Librarian and Dungeon Master 36:32

2M 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…

1
Shooting the Shit: Why the industry publishes so many (too many!) books and how to spot a writerly phishing scam 43:38

2M 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…

1
Pitch Perfect 35:21

2M ago35:21

35:21

In this episode of Books with Hooks, literary agents Carly and CeCe get nit-picky with an almost ‘Pitch Perfect’ query submission. They offer insider tips on how this particular query grabbed their attention from the very first line. They dish on what makes a query irresistible, why killer opening pages matter, and how to nail tension and character…

1
240 Laura Heathfield | Literary Agent 39:51

2M ago39:51

39:51

Literary agent and co-founder of Greenstone Literary Agency, Laura Heathfield joins us to chat about moving from aviation to publishing, how she tackles the challenges of being an agent and starting a literary agency with Tanera Simons. Support the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, ad-free and a week ahead of everyone else. 🙏 For audio …

1
Shooting The Shit about what agents really think about writer’s conferences, how agents get good at their jobs, and what actually sells books right now 46:51

2M ago46:51

46:51

In this episode of Shooting The Shit, Carly and CeCe unpack the state of today’s publishing industry—from their latest projects to upcoming conferences and the realities of writer–agent dynamics. They dig into what writers can expect from conferences, how agents sharpen their manuscript-analysis skills, and whether podcast appearances really move t…

1
Writing a Voicey Novel 56:06

2M ago56:06

56:06

In part one of this week’s episode, Bianca sits down with bestselling author Annie Hartnett to dive into her poignant new novel, ‘The Road to Tender Hearts.’ Together, they unpack the novel’s rich themes of loss, redemption, and the beautifully messy nature of human connection. Annie shares her behind-the-scenes writing process, why voice matters m…

1
239 Gráinne O'Brien | Children's Author and Bookseller 35:57

2M ago35:57

35:57

Children's/YA author and award winning bookseller, Gráinne O'Brien joins us to chat about writing a verse novel, the role of a bookseller and the literary scene in Ireland. 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 Ot…

1
August Bonus Episode 57:17

3M ago57:17

57:17

In part one of August’s Bonus Episode, Bianca connects with debut author Jo Morey. In this vibrant conversation,Jo opens up about her novel ‘Lime Juice Money’, sharing the winding road to publication and the intricacies of the editing process. Jo dives into the unique challenge—and opportunity—of writing from the perspective of a protagonist with a…

1
Exploring the Critical to Compassionate Spectrum 38:55

3M ago38:55

38:55

In this episode of Books with Hooks, hosts Bianca, Carly, and CeCe dive into a query for the historical mystery ‘A Body at Rest', exploring the impact of its title, the clarity of its plot threads, and how well the characters’ interiority comes through. They also assess the effectiveness of the prologue and discuss how to strengthen character devel…

1
238 Rebecca Thorne | Hybrid Cosy Fantasy Author 41:40

3M ago41:40

41:40

Best-selling cosy fantasy author Rebecca Thorne joins us this week for a deep dive into indie publishing! We also chat about how she started out on the traditional publishing route and was later inspired to try indie where she found incredible success and has since become a hybrid author, getting the best of both worlds! Support the show on Patreon…

1
Shooting The Shit: CeCe's new job, agent referrals, and what publishers try to get away with when writer's don't have agents 50:11

3M ago50:11

50:11

CeCe drops big news—she’s joining Wendy Sherman Associates! Carly and CeCe dive into what it means for her clients, how agency moves work behind the scenes, and the one question every querying writer should be asking. They also pull back the curtain on what publishers try to sneak into contracts when authors don’t have agents (spoiler: it can stall…

1
Karin Slaughter and the Mystery of Character and Rachel Howzell Hall on Switching Genres 53:47

3M ago53:47

53:47

In part one of this week’s episode, Bianca sits down with the legendary bestselling author Karin Slaughter to talk about all things dark, twisty, and utterly gripping in her latest novel, ‘We Are All Guilty Here.’ From building immersive worlds to crafting characters that leap off the page, Karin gives us a behind-the-scenes look at her writing pro…

1
Shooting The Shit: "AI Slop" affecting books, what summers in publishing look like and hustle culture in the year 2025 44:35

3M ago44:35

44:35

This week on Shooting the Shit, Carly and CeCe are back with a no-holds-barred convo on everything rocking the publishing world. They dive into how hustle culture is burning us all out, why summer feels like a weird limbo for book launches, and what it really means when authors get assistants. Plus: AI is creeping into publishing (yep, we’re talkin…

1
237 Marilia Savvides | Literary Agent 33:45

3M ago33:45

33:45

Literary agent, Marilia Savvides joins us this week to talk about her career and experiences in publishing and starting her own agency, The Plot. 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 other p…

1
From Audience to Impact: Crafting a Narrative That Connects 46:37

3M ago46:37

46:37

In this special episode of Books with Hooks, Carly and CeCe are joined by debut author Bryce Thomas to dive into his query letter for ‘Barracuda and the Buddha!’ Get ready for a lively discussion filled with craft insights, as they break down what’s working—and what’s not—in Bryce’s pitch. From the sparks flying between Peter and Georgie to the emo…

1
Shooting The Shit: About Editors, The "Death" Of The Novel & Authors With The "It" Factor 52:07

3M ago52:07

52:07

In this episode of ‘Shooting the Shit’, Carly and CeCe dive into the juicy, unfiltered side of publishing. From the surge in dark romance to how women are being written—and writing themselves—into new spaces, they explore the evolving landscape of literature with wit and insight. They also get personal about reading slumps, dissect the pressures of…

1
236 Autumn Woods | Dark Academia Author 30:24

3M ago30:24

30:24

Author and aerospace engineer, Autumn Woods is with us this week to chat about her debut dark academia novel, explain what cottage core is, finding success on TikTok without putting herself in front of the camera and her obsession with commissioning artists to draw snapshots of her stories. Support the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, …

1
From Books with Hooks to Published Author-How Writing is Rewriting 27:50

3M ago27:50

27:50

In this episode, debut author Melissa O’Connor takes us behind the scenes of her publishing journey with ‘The One and Only Vivian Stone.’ She shares how her query letter evolved, what it was like navigating the submission process, and the pivotal decision to restructure the manuscript with a dual timeline. Melissa opens up about weaving romance and…

1
235 Jackson P. Brown | Urban Fantasy Author 26:18

3M ago26:18

26:18

Urban fantasy writer, Jackson P. Brown is here chatting about breaking into the publishing industry, the journey of a debut author and her love of anime and manga. 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 Trope…

1
July Bonus Episode 53:05

3M ago53:05

53:05

In part one of July’s bonus episode, Bianca sits down with debut author Jacqueline Faber for a thoughtful and inspiring conversation. With a rich academic background and a diverse writing portfolio, Jacqueline shares her path to publication and the creative decisions that shaped her novel, ‘The Department’. They explore the emotional challenges of …

1
Making Context Feel Organic 1:07:19

4M ago1:07:19

1:07:19

In this exciting episode of Books with Hooks, debut author Tali Shammas steps into the spotlight to share her query letter for her genre-blending novel ‘The Color of Blood’—a bold mix of horror, romance, and razor-sharp feminist themes. The hosts dive into an engaging discussion on social justice in fiction, the power of a strong hook, and how to c…

1
234 Leigh Radford | Literary Horror Author 30:29

4M ago30:29

30:29

Literary horror author, Leigh Radford tells us all about her darkly funny debut about love and zombies as well as her writing process and learning to navigate the high pressures of publishing and the literary world. Support the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, ad-free and a week ahead of everyone else. 🙏 For audio listeners: Spotify Ap…

1
Shooting The Shit 31:56

4M ago31:56

31:56

Get ready for a brand-new segment with Carly and CeCe that dives into the juiciest side of publishing! In this fun, freewheeling episode, they spill the tea on industry gossip, break down the latest trends—like the dark rom-com craze—and dish on this year’s bestselling books. Plus, they share smart, no-fluff advice on social media strategies for au…

1
How Setting is More Than Just Story Backdrop 30:59

4M ago30:59

30:59

In this week’s episode, Bianca connects with novelist Laura Resau. Laura provides an insightful outlook regarding her transition from writing for young audiences to authoring her inaugural adult novel, ‘The Alchemy of Flowers.’ She offers profound insights into her writing methodology, emphasizing the criticality of a persuasive query letter and th…

1
233 Abi Fellows | Literary Agent 21:52

4M ago21:52

21:52

Literary agent Abi Fellows joins us this week to chat about her career in publishing, how she approaches queries and submission and a success story for one of her debut authors despite the current challenges in the industry. Support the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, ad-free and a week ahead of everyone else. 🙏 For audio listeners: S…

Amquerying Podcasts