✨Allegra Goodman on Writing What You're Passionate About; and Essays by Sejal Badani & Letizia Lorini Offer Perspectives on Different Paths to Publication ✨
Plus, our hosts answer your questions in our monthly video, Emilie Sommer tackles your comp requests, the Great Beta Reader Match-Up is on; and just one more sleep until the Deep Dive Virtual Retreat!
Happy Friday, writing friends!
Get comfortable, Shitlets, because it’s not just any Friday, but the last Friday of the month—and you know what that means, right? In addition to our usual great content, this issue features Carly, CeCe and Bianca, answering your questions about writing, querying, and the publishing industry in our month-end video, while over on the podcast, it’s bonus episode time, with bookseller extraordinaire Emilie Sommer from East City Book Bookshop tackling your comp requests.
This week on the podcast, Bianca interviews author Allegra Goodman about her latest novel, Isola (out February 4th!). Allegra—whose last book, Sam, was a read with Jenna Selection and a New York Times Book Review editor's choice, and was named a best book of the year by Vogue and Real Simple—has switched gears with Isola, going from contemporary women’s fiction to literary historical. In a wide-ranging conversation that covers the creative process from initial idea to publishing, Allegra and Bianca discuss the importance of being passionate about what you’re writing versus tailoring your work to meet the market’s expectations for consistency, how Isola’s prologue came to be, and finding your way into an authentic voice (among other things!). Don’t miss this one! 🎧👂🏽📖
Next up is an essay that will surely be inspiring for anyone still struggling in the query trenches or wondering if they’ve got what it takes to make it as a writer. Sejal Badani (whose latest, The Sun’s Shadow, is out now), left a career in law to make the risky leap to writing, and today is sharing the journey that took her from unfulfilled lawyer to USA Today, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Storyteller’s Secret and Trail of Broken Wings. Sejal encourages us to embrace failure, wisely noting that sometimes your worst fears have to come true before your dreams can. Take note, and take heart, writing friends. ❤️📝
Traditional publishing is everyone’s dream, right? And indie publishing means you’ll never get a traditional book deal, right? Wrong! Anyone who’s ever wondered if one path to publishing is better than another will want to read Letizia Lorini’s essay detailing her experience with The Wedding Menu—an initially self-published romcom that is now being traditionally published by Gallery! This one has tons of practical insights on the good, the bad and the ugly of both paths, and includes this gem that we just couldn’t resist highlighting here:
“If someone’s told you, ‘Don’t even bother trying unless you’re the newest BookTok sensation,’ that’s not the kind of Shit No One Tells You About Writing—that’s the kind of shit nobody should ever tell you.” 🙌🏼🎉👏🏽
Finally…This is it people. For real. It’s now or never time. We mean it. You’ve got just a handful of hours left to register for the 2025 Deep Dive Virtual Retreat! As CeCe pointed out over on Insta earlier this week, if you’re serious about succeeding in the competitive publishing landscape, educational opportunities like this one are an investment in you and your career. Just sayin’… 🤓
That’s all for now. Thanks for reading! ❤️
The Shit No One Tells You About Writing Team
P.S. Still not sure about upgrading to paid? Check out our Tuesday Teaser below to see what you’re missing!
This Week’s Podcast✨🎙️✨
This week on the podcast (listen to it here or watch it on YouTube!), Bianca interviews Allegra Goodman about her latest novel, Isola, exploring themes of storytelling, character development, and the writing process.
Allegra discusses her journey as a writer, the importance of writing what interests you, and the challenges of crafting a historical narrative. The discussion delves into the role of voice, perspective, and the economy of language in literary fiction, as well as the collaborative relationship between authors and editors.
“In terms of the industry and marketing of a book, people love consistency, right? But if you're an artist, you love to work on what interests you and what you're passionate about. So, I've always been sort of more on the side of writing what I'm interested in, or, you know, writing what draws me imaginatively.”
– Allegra Goodman
More information about Allegra can be found on her website. She’s also on Instagram!
You can purchase Isola on our Bookshop.org affiliate page here. Buying books through this link supports a local indie bookstore, as well as The Shit No One Tells You About Writing 📚❤️
January’s Bonus Episode 🥳
Check it out here! In January’s bonus episode, Bianca and Emilie Sommer from East City Book Bookshop tackle a variety of book recommendations based on listener comp requests.
Just One More Sleep! The 2025 Deep Dive Virtual Retreat Starts Tomorrow!
Publishing is a competitive industry where there are far fewer buyers than there are sellers. Hundreds of thousands of writers pitch books every year, only a small fraction of which ever make it into print. Aspiring authors need every advantage they can get, and investing in educational opportunities like the Deep Dive Virtual Retreat is a good place to start.
Invest in your writing career and give yourself an advantage by learning from industry gatekeepers—including acquisitions editors, book-to film agents, creative writing instructors, and bestselling authors—and building community with other writers who share your passion. Sign up for the 2025 Deep Dive Virtual Retreat now!
Embrace the Inevitability of Failure
By Sejal Badani
Throughout my career, I’ve learned invaluable lessons about the writing process—lessons I carry with me into every novel I create. The most important of these: failure is inevitable. For years, I was terrified of failing. I grew up dreaming of becoming a writer, but my childhood circumstances shaped a different path. My father was adamant that I pursue a "respectable" career—either as a doctor or a lawyer. Reluctantly, I set aside my dream and enrolled in law school.
After graduation, I found a job I genuinely enjoyed. But everything changed when I had my first child. During maternity leave, I felt an undeniable pull to reconnect with my passion. I wrote my first screenplay. For the first time in years, I felt free—free to pursue the career I had always envisioned for myself.
But fear held me back. The idea of being an author had always seemed perfect, almost untouchable. The reality, however, came with the risk of disappointment. What if my story was rejected? What if no agent wanted to represent me? What if publishers dismissed my work entirely?
And, as it turned out, every single one of those fears came true. I sent my manuscripts to hundreds of agents, pitched countless ideas to publishing houses, and received rejection after rejection. I failed repeatedly. Which is exactly why I succeeded.
Once I faced failure head-on, it stopped paralyzing me. It became as routine as brushing my teeth in the morning. In fact, I turned my failures into something constructive—literally. I handed each rejection letter to my three-year-old daughter, who happily cut them up for her crafts.
For so long, I had obsessed over whether I would succeed, without giving myself the chance to even try. But with persistence, patience, and time, I finally found agents and publishers who believed in my work.
New writers often view rejection as the end of the road, but I’ve learned it’s just another step forward. Rejection isn’t a closed door—it’s a pivot point. Possibility often comes from the most unexpected places, which is why it’s crucial to remain open, even in the face of adversity.
So, to any aspiring author, here’s my advice: if you’re too afraid to write, write anyway. Accept that failure is part of the process, and use it as a stepping stone toward success. Let fear sit beside you, but never let it lead.
Sejal Badani is the Amazon Charts, USA Today, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Storyteller’s Secret and Trail of Broken Wings. She is also a Goodreads Best Fiction award and ABC/Disney Writing Fellowship finalist whose work has been published in over fifteen languages.
You can purchase The Sun’s Shadow on our Bookshop.org affiliate page here. 📚❤️
From Independent to Traditional Publishing—What’s the Takeaway?
By Letizia Lorini
You see it more and more: self-published authors turning to the traditional industry or traditionally published authors deciding to release books outside their publishing house. That’s what hybrid publishing is—but is it the best of both worlds?
My name is Letizia Lorini, and I’m the author of The Wedding Menu, a previously self-published romcom now being republished with Gallery Books.
For two years, I poured my heart into self-publishing, wearing every hat from author to marketer, and released three books independently. Each title was a labor of love, fueled by long nights of writing, editing, marketing, and mastering the art of connecting directly with readers.
Now, as I prepare to release my traditional publishing debut—a story that started as a self-published work—I realize that the transition from indie to traditional publishing has been an eye-opening experience. It’s a blend of the skills I honed as an indie author with the support and structure of a traditional publishing house. Whether you're an indie author considering the leap to traditional publishing or simply curious about navigating both paths, I hope my story offers insight, inspiration, and a deeper appreciation for the evolving landscape of publishing.
Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing: What Are You Really Choosing Between?
Before diving into my specific experience, let me answer this question as briefly as possible.
Think of it this way: a self-published author runs every small business department—from product creation (the book) to branding, advertising, and customer service. Meanwhile, a traditionally published author is like a partner in a larger enterprise, where specialists take over much of the groundwork, leaving the author to concentrate more on their core product: storytelling.
Both paths require hard work and resilience, but the self-publishing route means you’re at the helm of every operation, from creative decisions to the smallest marketing detail. It’s liberating but also exhausting. If you're not ready to constantly update your skill set and dive headfirst into marketing, social media, and public relations, self-publishing might not be the best choice for you.
Is Traditional Publishing Better?
An easy answer for a complicated question: it depends on what you want.
I’ll skip over the querying trenches because I haven’t queried myself, but here’s the thing: if the urge to get that book out right now is too strong, self-publishing might be your best option. Even if you signed with an agent today, it could take months—maybe years—before you sell your book. And even if you sold it tomorrow, you could be looking at a year or more before it hits the shelves. Patience is not just a virtue in traditional publishing; it’s a requirement.
On top of that, control freaks like me might find it challenging to relinquish some control. Wait! Don’t panic just yet—if anyone tells you every publishing house will clip your wings and censor your voice, they’re wrong. Sure, horror stories exist, but any editor worth their salt will respect your voice and invest in you as a creator.
That said, you’re not working alone. You’re not the one calling all the shots. Sometimes, you’re not even part of the decision-making process at all—especially when it comes to the parts of publishing outside of writing. Those choices often rest with the publishing team, from marketing strategy to release schedules. For someone used to steering the ship solo, it can feel like stepping out of the captain’s chair and joining the crew.
What Happens If You’re a Self-Published Author Who Wants to Try Publishing Traditionally?
First of all, let’s debunk the myth:
Once a book is self-published, it’s impossible to sell.
Wrong. Sure, selling a self-published book to a traditional publisher can be harder, which makes sense. Your book’s been out for a while, the initial release hype may have dwindled, and there might be factors like pre-sold rights (e.g., audio) or lackluster sales numbers. But impossible? Absolutely not.
If someone’s told you, “Don’t even bother trying unless you’re the newest BookTok sensation,” that’s not the kind of Shit No One Tells You About Writing—that’s the kind of shit nobody should ever tell you.
None of my books are TikTok famous. I don’t have millions of followers and haven’t gone viral. The only reason I’m here is that my agent happened to read my book on Kindle Unlimited, saw its potential, and reached out four months after I self-published it. And I’m one of many this happened to.
Now, I’ll take a little credit—being an indie author requires a lot of work, and I put in the hours. But even without flashy social media stats or overnight success, the book stood out to someone who believed in it enough to champion it to a publisher.
That’s the takeaway: it’s not about chasing virality; it’s about creating a book worth noticing.
I’m Switching from Indie Publishing to the Traditional Industry: What Should I Expect?
Well, a lot of change—both positive and negative.
The hardest pill for me to swallow was going from a “game” I was good at, to one where I don’t fully know the rules. It sounds silly, but after two years of establishing myself in indie circles, becoming the newest kid in the park felt disorienting. Suddenly, I wasn’t the person with all the answers, and that shift was—and still is—challenging.
Every writer needs their group chat, they say. And they’re right. Finding your people is always hard, but finding authors who can relate to this particular chapter—who understand both the challenges and the wins—was one of the toughest parts of transitioning.
Another (not surprising) downside? The comparison game. The traditional industry has many visible success benchmarks: advance sizes, deals announcements, bestseller lists, and bookstore placement. These metrics can make it all too easy to feel small, left out, and unworthy.
But the best part? I’m sure “seeing my book in stores” will top the list in a few months, but the real highlight of working with a team is this: I get to write.
Having people who believe in your work, who actively seek opportunities for your book, and who are ready to answer your questions—it’s priceless. My agent is my champion and a safety net, stepping in whenever I need support. My editor and the rest of my publishing team are invested in my story’s success.
And because of them, I rediscovered something: how much I love writing.
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy marketing, designing swag, and diving into the intricacies of publishing. But my stories are the reason I care about all of that. They’re why I put so much effort into promotion and reader engagement. Transitioning to traditional publishing has given me the gift of time—time to focus on the craft that started it all. And that gift is worth more than rankings, royalties, or even bestseller lists.
Which One’s Harder? Both Are.
Which One’s Better? Honestly, Neither.
Publishing a book is hard, no matter how you choose to do it. If you’ve self-published and you’re considering trying the traditional route because you think it’s easier, you might be sorely disappointed (and the opposite is also true). Both paths come with unique challenges, rewards, and lessons. At the end of the day, it’s about finding the one that aligns with your goals and values as an author.
Signing Off As a Hybrid Author
Here’s the real good news: you don’t have to choose. There are plenty of stories I’d like to tell, and not selling one of them to a publisher wouldn’t, quite frankly, stop me from wanting to tell it. I love working hands-on with marketing, and I love being an active, engaged part of my team at Gallery.
The beauty of hybrid publishing is the freedom it offers—freedom to experiment, to take risks, and to pursue the stories that matter most to you. Whether it’s the thrill of controlling every aspect of a self-published release or the joy of collaborating with a team to bring a traditionally published book to life, each approach has its unique rewards.
At the end of the day, it’s not about picking sides. It’s about finding what works best for you as a writer and staying true to the stories you’re passionate about telling. The publishing landscape is vast and ever-changing, and there’s room for all of us to carve out our own paths.
No matter how you choose to publish, one truth remains constant: the heart of this journey is always the story. So keep writing, keep dreaming, and never stop believing in the power of your words to make an impact.
Here’s to exploring the best of both worlds—and making them your own.
Letizia Lorini is an Italian writer who is passionate about heartwarming books with high cackling potential. Currently based in a Scandinavian country, she lives with her partner and their fluffy Japanese Spitz. She also has a degree in sociology and one in criminology, speaks three languages, and drinks the daily recommended dose of coffee before breakfast. Her first traditionally published novel is The Wedding Menu, available wherever books are sold on January 21, 2025. Find out more at LetiziaLorini.com.
You can purchase The Wedding Menu on our Bookshop.org affiliate page here. 📚❤️
The Great Beta Reader Match Up is Back…and Better Than Ever! 🐉🧚🏼♂️💘
Are you looking for beta readers, some of whom might potentially become writing group members down the line?
Are you wanting to be matched up with those writing in a similar genre and time zone, so they can critique your work as you critique theirs at the same time? (And is your genre by any chance romantasy? If yes, you’re in luck—due to popular demand, Bianca’s added it as a genre to the match up!)
Your manuscript doesn't have to be complete to sign up for this 3000 word evaluation.
Registration for this particular match up is open from now until March 2nd, with the match up emails going out March 3rd .
For more information and to register, click below!
And spread the word! The more writers we have signed up, the better the matches will be!
January’s Q&A with Our Hosts!
In this Q&A segment, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe answer your questions on topics ranging from how to effectively split a large manuscript into parts, the significance of plot twists in query letters, and the nuances of querying queer literature. The conversation also delves into the concept of 'vision' in agent feedback, the implications of AI for author rights, the dynamics between self-publishing and traditional publishing…and more!
Here’s the press release mentioned in the video: Read More!
Tuesday Teaser 😉
In next week’s newsletter exclusively for our paid members, we’ve got an essay from Jacqueline Faber (author of The Department, out next week) that you are not going to want to miss: Five Concrete Ways to Support Your Book Launch is exactly what the title implies, and it is the kind of practical advice we just love here at The Shit.
We’ve also got a Q&A with Jessica Soffer (whose This Is a Love Story publishes next week) in which she challenges the view that plotting undermines creativity, talks about the most challenging part of the publishing process (Hint: it’s likely not what you think!) and offers up her secret to warding off the loneliness that seems to be inherent in the writing life.
Curious? For just $8USD a month or $80USD a year you can find out Jessica’s secrets AND get:
an exclusive newsletter on Tuesdays featuring bonus author Q&As and other exclusive content from industry experts
access to Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra’s written notes on queries from the podcast’s Books With Hooks feature
monthly bonus podcast episodes, AND
regular Ask Me Anythings / Q&As with Carly, CeCe, and Bianca Marais.
If that doesn’t kickstart your writing journey, we don’t know what will!
That’s all for this week’s news! If you enjoyed it, why not share the love? 🥰
Tune in again next week for more invaluable wisdom from our wonderful hosts! Until then, happy writing! 😍
❤️ The Shit No One Tells You About Writing Team
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Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra are literary agents at P.S. Literary Agency, but their work in this newsletter is not affiliated with the agency, and the views expressed by Carly and CeCe in this newsletter are solely that of themselves and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, policies, or position of P.S. Literary Agency.
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