✨Rethinking Your Querying Process; & Taking Time Out to Reset. Plus, Meet Your Dream Agent & Query Critiques Inside!✨
Also, adapting a novel for a screenplay. And how flawed characters make for the best love stories.
Happy Tuesday, writing friends!
Yesterday was Shooting the Shit day on the podcast. Among other things, CeCe and Carly discuss why publishers prize debut novels, how publishing really makes decisions, and why understanding the industry’s business model can help writers build longer, more resilient careers.
Also, last week was a📕Books with Hooks 🪝segment on the podcast, so you’ll find their written query critiques below!
Then, Carinn Jade, author of The Dahlia Suite, pens an excellent essay on rethinking your querying process:
“Most writers start thinking about the query way too late in the process.
Do not confuse this with a cardinal sin of publishing! You should never query an agent before your novel is done. But you can start writing your query letter before you even start writing your novel.
Once I have an idea for a new novel, I brainstorm setting, characters and time frame. But before I allow myself to start writing prose, I attempt a pitch like the one that would be included in a query letter. Immediately I’m confronted with vital questions, such as who is my protagonist? What is the conflict? And what’s the engine of the story?”
Keep reading for the rest of her amazing insights!
Our first video is with Kat Sloane, author of The Matchmaker’s Cottage, who
explores why flawed, “unlikable” characters often make for the most compelling love stories. Remember that love stories can happen in any genre - not just romances!
Today’s Meet Your Dream Agent profile is of Rachel Beck from Liza Dawson Associates. Keep reading to see her breakdown of where most of her clients come from in terms of slush piles, referrals, and pitch events. 👀
Our second video is by Amy Chozick, author of With Friends Like You, who discusses adapting a novel for a screenplay. If you’re dreaming big, and want to prepare yourself for when your WIP gets optioned for film, you don’t want to miss this!
Jillian Laine, author of Henry Tudor Must Die, tackles today’s author Q&A. Struggling with your own journey to publication? You’ll love this quote as much as we did:
“I queried for 11 years before getting a book deal, and I “quit” writing and querying for two of those years because my little heart couldn’t take it. As an eldest daughter, I’m unlearning perfectionism and trying to see how my “failures” are moments to learn, grow, or change direction.”
Then, Carly and CeCe will be doing Shooting the Shit Live tomorrow on Substack at 12pm ET. Make sure you become a paid subscriber so you don’t miss it!
Finally, the registrations are open for the next Beta Reader Match Up. Kick off “back to school” season in September with getting back to writing!
That’s all for now. Thanks for reading! ❤️
❤️ The Shit No One Tells You About Writing Team
This Week on ‘Shooting the Shit’
In this week’s episode of Shooting the Shit, Carly and CeCe are back and here to unpack a thought-provoking article on the future of reading, discussing how declining literacy, AI, and changing media habits are reshaping the publishing world. They talk about the surprising economics of cookbook publishing, why big advances don't always mean big profits, and what authors should know about production costs. Finally, they explore why publishers prize debut novels, how publishing really makes decisions, and why understanding the industry's business model can help writers build longer, more resilient careers.
Listen to it here or watch it on YouTube!
