✨Marian Schembari's "Unhinged" Approach to Writing; and Everything Michelle Sanchez Has Learned (the Hard Way) About Querying✨

Plus, we've got your last minute gift-giving covered!

Season’s Greetings, Shitlets!

‘Twas the night before the day when all authors who celebrate Christmas get together with their families for a gathering which will provide them with enough material to fuel their writing for the whole of the following year (assuming they survive until Boxing Day, that is. Godspeed to you, friends).

If you’re not too busy girding your loins (or trying to find ways to describe your ms that allow you to avoid having to say “horny fae action” while passing mashed potatoes to Aunt Mildred), we strongly recommend you take some time to read today’s essay by emerging author Michelle Sanchez. If you’ve been out there querying, you’ve likely gotten a taste of the drama that entails. The almost-offers. The silences. The self-doubt. But Michelle hasn’t just had a mere nibble—she’s eaten the whole damn meal. Just about every bit of querying drama you can think of, Michelle has been through. Her essay, Querying Isn’t for the Faint of Heart, is highly relatable, full of empathy and, even better, packed with clear, actionable tips that have helped Michelle and can help you, too. Consider it our gift to you, dear readers.🎁🎄

Next up, we’ve got an amazing video from debut author, Marian Schembari, whose memoir, A Little Less Broken, was named one of the Best Books of 2024 by Real Simple Magazine. In her video for The Shit, Marian describes her “unhinged” approach to teaching herself how to write, which involved cataloguing 9000 sentences from some 400 of her favourite books into 18 categories. 😲😱 It wasn’t something she set out to do, and Marian joking acknowledges it might make her sound “like a serial killer,” but it turned out to be an approach that worked perfectly for her neurodivergent brain, and the key to writing success is to find what works for you—what inspires you, what makes you feel confident you know what you’re doing. Workshops and MFAs don’t work for everyone, and if that sounds like you, the tips Marian shares in her video might really resonate. Check it out!📹💻

Finally, for all the writing friends you’ve made along the way, we’ve got two amazing last minute gift ideas: who wouldn’t want a pass to the upcoming Deep Dive Virtual Retreat or a copy of the 2025 The Ultimate Planner for Writers? 🎁🥳

Until next time, happy reading!

❤️ The Shit No One Tells You About Writing Team