Best amquerying Podcasts (2025)

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

Play Pause

1d 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

4d 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

4d 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

8d 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

11d 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

11d 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

15d 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

18d 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

18d 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

22d 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

25d 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

25d 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

29d 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

1M 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

1M 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

1M 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

1M 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

1M 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

1M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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…

1
What is a familiar query letter... 42:10

3M ago42:10

42:10

In this episode of Books with Hooks, literary agents Carly and CeCe return with insightful feedback on query letters, focusing on commercial women’s fiction and book club fiction. They celebrate Bianca’s exciting book launch and dive deep into the craft of storytelling—discussing character development, emotional resonance, and the vital role of ori…

1
232 Hazel McBride | Romantic Fantasy Author and TikTok Creator 25:50

3M ago25:50

25:50

Romantic fantasy author and TikTok creator Hazel McBride drops by to chat about her traditional debut, finding her agent through fan fiction and testing the waters of indie 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 Listen to The Chosen…

1
Episode 13 - It'll happen FOR SURE... in 15 years 1:05:14

3M ago1:05:14

1:05:14

I’m back! In this episode, I do an update of what has been going on since the last episode (including some insights about what I learned along the way). Then I explain the difference between rushing or dragging in your writing career and how knowing where you’re standing can help you to feel so much peace while you’re pursuing your writing dreams! …

1
Replacing Plot with Emotion in Quiet Novels 26:06

3M 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…

1
231 Faye Brann | Crime and Comedy Author 33:33

3M 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…

1
June Bonus Episode 1:03:10

3M 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

4M 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…

1
230 Fiona Cummins | Crime Thriller Author 37:20

4M 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

4M 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…

1
229 Faith Hogan | Contemporary Fiction Author 26:34

4M 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

4M 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 | Literary Agent 41:57

4M 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…

Amquerying Podcasts