✨This Week on the Pod: Multiple-Genre Master and Generous & Unfailing Champion of Emerging Authors Everywhere...Our Very Own Bianca Marais!✨
Happy Friday, writing friends!
Today’s newsletter intro is not written by Suz Dugard, TSNOTYAW Editor-in-Chief, so much as it is by Suzy Dugard, Bianca Marais stan and someone fortunate enough to call her friend (after she reads this unauthorized departure from the norm, I may well be TSNOTYAW’s former Editor-in-Chief, but I’m just gonna go on ahead and say totes worth it, because someone needs to shout about Bianca the way she shouts about others, and I am more than happy to suffer whatever consequences there might be for getting this very important job done).
I know you all appreciate Bianca and everything she does, but there is—I promise you—zero chance you grasp the full extent of her efforts (and just how effort-y they are) because she makes it all look so easy. And also because that’s how she wants it. She doesn’t want you to see her little duck feet, furiously paddling below the surface while above the water, all appears still and calm. She’s not here for the accolades, but because (and now I am going to make myself throw up in my own mouth a little bit with how cheesy this is, but it’s the most accurate descriptor I can think of) she has a calling to do what she does.
It seems to come to her naturally, this drive to help. I can quite confidently say I wouldn’t have gotten an agent without Bianca’s encouragement (when we met, I’d pretty much given up on my writing dreams, but once Bianca found out I wrote, I really had no choice but to pick up my pen again). Maybe she was partly motivated to start The 💩 by a desire to spread her encouragement and wisdom more efficiently (she’d be at it forever if she had to keep doing it one baby writer at a time). But, whatever the case, in a space that sometimes seems almost intentionally designed to ensure one routinely feels like giving up, Bianca’s generosity has helped so many get so much closer to achieving their dreams.
The list of writers who’ve reached out crediting TSNOTYAW with helping them land their agents and/or their publishing deals is as long as my arm. It seems like every week I get a new message in the newsletter inbox from someone wanting to express their thanks.
I know how much Bianca appreciates these messages. They mean a lot, particularly given that they’re the only form of payment she gets for the many (MANY) hours a week she puts into every episode of the podcast (I’m pretty sure the only way she finds time for her own writing is by letting go of other things she might want to be doing with her time. Like sleep. I picture her at her desk in the wee hours, fingers flying, duck feet paddling away…).
So, by all means, please do tune into the podcast this week (listen to it here or watch it on YouTube!) to hear Bianca discuss her upcoming novel, A Most Puzzling Murder with CeCe (who also happens to be her agent, in case you’re new around here). There’s lots of great craft insights to be learned (of course!). And be sure to read her hilarious author Q&A in today’s issue (which involves an awful lot of being gnawed on by wildlife compared to our usual fare. And here I always thought it was CeCe who was going to eaten by a bear…).
And then, when you’re done, please consider that the very best thing you can do to support Bianca (or any author) is to pre-order her book (so that she can, in turn, continue supporting you! For free!). Pre-orders, in case you didn’t know, are incredibly important in the publishing industry, and one day when you have your own book coming out you’ll get to see first-hand just how much impact they can have on your career (so why not get some book-ish karma stashed away for your future published author self?).
And if you’re coming to the launch on Monday, come say hi. Bianca is making me wear a tiara (and yet, I love her anyway), so I’ll be easy to spot (and mock. Also, see below for more details about who else will be there—it’s going to be epic!).
That’s all for now. Thanks for reading! ❤️
The Shit No One Tells You About Writing Team
This Week’s Podcast✨🎙️✨
In this VERY special episode, CeCe Lyra sits down with our very own Bianca Marais to explore her writing journey, with a spotlight on her latest novel, A Most Puzzling Murder. If you’re not already familiar with her work, Bianca is the bestselling author of The Witches of Moonshyne Manor, the beloved novels Hum If You Don’t Know the Words and If You Want to Make God Laugh, and the Audible Original The Prynne Viper. She has also taught creative writing at the University of Toronto’s School of Continuing Studies, where she received an Excellence in Teaching Award.
Tune in for a behind-the-scenes glimpse of Bianca’s latest, including the challenges of switching genres, designing an interactive reading experience through puzzles, and managing the intricacies of writing an ensemble cast. Bianca and CeCe also discuss the realities of publishing and the importance of trusting your agent.
“Every book issues the writer an invitation to a party. And they give you a dress code…the language and everything to do with that book. And the tone [has to match] that dress code invitation.”
-Bianca Marais
You can purchase A Most Puzzling Murder 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 📚❤️
A Very Special Q&A with Bianca!
How many podcasts had you listened to before starting your own? Did they shape the one you created?
I listened to one! Or maybe two. Definitely no more than three episodes in total because I was immediately put off by all the waffling. One of the things I find most excruciating about polite society is making small talk. Put me on a park bench and sit a stranger next to me who’ll suddenly feel the urge to confide their deepest fears— the kind of sheet-drenching ones that have them gasping for breath during a 2am panic attack—and I’m in my happy place! Torture is forcing me to talk about what a lovely day it is or where I got my pretty scarf from (the answer is always that it was a gift from a friend because the only thing I loathe more than small talk is shopping!).
All the podcasts I listened to started off with an awful lot of chit chat. And after fast forwarding endlessly without getting to the good stuff, I usually gave up.
So when I decided to start my own podcast, I had one rule for myself. Dive straight in and get to the good shit immediately!
You’ve interviewed so many incredible authors. Do you have a favourite interview?
‘Favourite’ is such a tricky word because I’ve enjoyed completely different aspects of different interviews. It’s an incredible honour to be able to discuss the craft of writing with some of the greatest authors of our time. It feels like I’m a golden retriever that’s been let off-lead to run amok in the dog park of so many brilliant minds.
I loved talking with Ann Patchett and Ann Napolitano. Jeffrey Archer was an unexpected delight! And I had such an author crush after speaking with Coco Mellors. I’d say the one that stood out the most was the interview with Charlotte Wood, author of Stone Yard Devotional because she made me cry, which was not on my podcast bingo card! I almost asked for that part to be edited out because crying in front of Charlotte was bad enough but doing it on camera?! Horror!
But then Alicia, our podcast editor, convinced me to keep it in, and I’m glad she did. There’s nothing shameful about being moved to tears by powerful writing. Isn’t this why we become writers, after all? To move mountains with our words?
What do you love most about the podcast?
Without a doubt, our listeners! There isn’t a day that one of them doesn’t reach out in some capacity to either share happy news or how something on the podcast made them keep going when they were tempted to give up.
Or to complain about the sound quality. Or correct my mispronunciations. Or to point out my verbal ticks that annoy them!
I’m not going to lie, I prefer the praise and good news to the critique!
But I’ll take the critique as well because it means I’m making myself vulnerable and putting myself out there, much like the writers who submit their work to Books with Hooks each month! Their bravery inspires me every single day.
Also, I love the fierce, talented and insightful women I work with on the podcast, both front of camera and behind the scenes. I consider myself extremely lucky to be a part of such an amazing team!
You have a terrible habit of being bitten by wildlife. Want to tell us about it?
What can I say? I’m apparently a very tasty snack! Just ask the giraffe that bit my finger in South Africa during my godson’s second birthday party! Have you ever seen a giraffe’s tongue? It’s black (supposedly to protect it from UV rays so it doesn’t get sunburn) and super long (supposedly to help clean its eyes and nose!), and its fully capable of wrapping it around your wrist to yank your hand into its deathtrap of a mouth if you don’t release treats fast enough.
Picture my hand instead of the leaf.
I came very close to dropping Jaydin from the viewing platform during the unprovoked attack. I also almost taught him the kind of colourful curse words that would make a sailor blush. While I felt faint at the sight of blood dripping from my finger, Jaydin casually wiped it off with his T-shirt and told me I wasn’t likely to die.
I think that’s the moment he decided to become a doctor, so I take full credit for his going into medicine.
What about the squirrel that also bit you? Who became a doctor because of that?
No one that I know of, though I can’t be sure because there are a few tourists who went home with excellent footage of me having do more than the hokey pokey to shake the little bugger off my finger. That bite also bled, but what hurt most were my feelings since I considered the squirrel a friend, though luckily not a bestie like Boss Man Bing or Middle Management Mike. Violence from those two bushy-tailed little dudes would have broken my heart.
What did the squirrel bite teach you about writing?
Many things, actually:
Everyone’s a critic.
Don’t be surprised when a peripheral character steals a scene!
Planting curiosity nuts can lead to a lot more tension that you were expecting.
Sometimes villains come dressed in fluffy packages.
Not everything you try is going to work out. Some things will turn around and bite you in the ass. But don’t let that stop you from trying!
Pre-orders are so important to a book’s success so if you’d like to support the woman who works so hard to support you, please consider pre-ordering A Most Puzzling Murder wherever you get your books from!
Celebrating Bianca’s Launch and the Literary Community!
In just three sleeps, Bianca launches her latest novel, A Most Puzzling Murder, at The Young People’s Theatre in downtown Toronto in this not-to-be-missed literary soiree of the season! The tickets are all officially sold out (!!) but that won’t stop us from continuing to promote all the incredible members of our community who will be there…
…Including the fabulous Sarah Miller who hosts the Sanity Protection Project, a podcast which many of you will be familiar with!
As well as the lovely Crystal Fletcher!
AACB (All About Canadian Books) is hosted by author and BookTuber Crystal Fletcher. The channel is a celebration of Canadian excellence, showcasing both new and established Canadian authors who are proudly published by Canadian Independent Publishers and imprints. AACB explores the authors' personal journeys and the inspirations behind their literary works. If you LOVE books, you’ll love them even more when you get to know the author and the story behind their book.
CeCe is Back with Another Great Course! 😍
The best stories are the ones that make readers feel, which is why learning how to effectively write emotion and write relationships are essential skills for successful storytellers.
The 4-day workshop will cover:
* active vs. passive emotions;
* how to effectively convey emotion (showing vs. telling);
* most common mistakes in writing emotion and relationships (and how to get it right);
* types of relationships and how to leverage each one in a story;
* protagonist’s emotional and relational makeup;
* roles: from love interest to antagonist;
* how to create chemistry between characters;
* different genre expectations;
*
Bonus: the role of emotion and relationships in the query letter; AND MORE!
Tuesday Teaser 😉
We’ve got something extra-cool in next week’s newsletter exclusively for our paid members—Riley Sager is going to be answering questions submitted by YOU, our listeners and subscribers!
We’ve also got an author Q&A with Kathleen West (Making Friends Can Be Murder) who shares a writing mantra we haven’t heard before; a video (and bonus tipsheet!) from Maggie Giles (Wicked) on the very real, very practical power of writing communities when it comes to helping further your career, and Alina Khawaja (Writing Mr. Right) shares how she found the joy in writing again in an insightful essay that will resonate—and give hope to—anyone who might be questioning if this whole writing thing is worth it.
Not yet a member? For just $8USD a month or $80USD a year you 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
Our work takes place on land now known as Toronto and Ottawa and we acknowledge that these are the traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat Peoples as well as the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation. Toronto is covered under Treaty 13 and the Williams Treaties. We respect and affirm the inherent and Treaty Rights of all Indigenous Peoples across this land and acknowledge the historical oppression of lands, cultures, languages, and the original Peoples in what we now know as Canada. We invite you to learn more about the land you inhabit, the history of that land, and how to actively be part of a better future going forward together at Native Land or Whose Land.
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.