✨Win a Books With Hooks Critique; Why Writing While Working Full Time is Actually a Good Thing; & Juggling Life and the Muse✨

Plus, in this week's Books with Hooks, CeCe explains the exact plot point elements a query letter needs.

Happy Friday, writing friends!

We’ve finally made it to Anne Shirley’s favorite month! I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers. 🍁We have to agree, Anne; October is our favorite too! Time to cuddle up in a soft sweater, add some pumpkin spice to your lattes, and be inspired by nature’s colorful burlesque show!🔥🥧

Have you been submitting to Books with Hooks without getting chosen? Stand a chance of winning a critique by helping us revamp our newsletter author Q&A feature by commenting on this post with suggestions of questions you’d really love to hear the answers to! Each suggestion gets you one ticket into the draw which will take place on the 31st of October!

In today’s edition, we’re focusing on time management and how writing time doesn’t have to be in short supply in your busy life.

First up in this week’s 📕Books with Hooks🪝, CeCe helps you cut down on time spent on the plot paragraph of your query letter by outlining exactly which notes you need to hit!

Then, James Goodhand, author of Reports of His Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated, buoys all our overworked spirits by taking us through why writing while holding down a full time job is actually a GOOD thing!

After which, Danila Botha, author of A Place for People Like Us, shares how to juggle life and the muse while also offering insights on struggling with imposter syndrome, that nasty little monster on your shoulder. 👹

You don’t have much time left to sign up for CeCe’s popular 4-day course, Writing Tension: Creating Tension, Conflict, and Stakes in a Story. In case you haven’t heard, it’s better than ever—you’ll still get all the course fundamentals, but now participants will also have the option of submitting their query letters for a chance to have them critiqued in writing by CeCe (she plans to review at least 50)! Details below, or click here!

Bianca has matched over 2500 writers in all her Beta Reader Match Ups! 😮And she hopes to match many more in the last match up of the year! Details below or click here to register.

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✨🎙️✨

It’s Books with Hooks Week! In yesterday’s episode, Carly, CeCe and Bianca look at two speculative queries. They explore the craft challenges of pitching complex narratives, from maintaining clarity to grounding readers in emotional depth, as well as juggling multiple timelines and POVs. The discussion digs into how to use (or avoid) prologues, strategies for balancing ambition with accessibility, and why organization on the page—and in your query—is key to drawing agents in.

Listen here or watch it on YouTube!

“It's important to show a really airtight plot, right? A query letter should show a very clear, inciting incident. I should never have to wonder, ‘Is this the inciting incident or is that?’ And then a very clear, surprising, yet at the same time, makes-total-sense escalation, maybe another escalation, and then the climax. Like that's just super, super important. If we don't have that, I'm left feeling like I don't actually know how the plot point comes together.”

-CeCe Lyra

---

Writing Whilst Holding Down a Full-Time Job, and Why It May Be More Beneficial Than You Imagine

By James Goodhand

There’s a video of Roald Dahl that does the rounds every now and then. He shows us around his custom-built writing shed in his Oxfordshire garden. ‘You can’t write in the house,’ fantastic Mr. Dahl tells the viewer, ‘There’s all sorts of noise from vacuum cleaners.’ He goes on to slip into a sleeping bag, put his feet up on a stool (which is tethered to his armchair, of course), pour himself tea from a thermos, sharpen six HB pencils to precision, spark a cigarette. And then he begins. If you’ve not seen the clip I highly recommend looking it out; it’s lovely, swashboggling stuff.

And it is, to many a writer starting out, the dream (minus the Marlboros perhaps). It certainly was for me: the idea of waking every morning with nothing to do other than create on one’s own terms. And yet, eight years and four published books into a career, the writing-shed lifestyle has seldom seemed less achievable. I still produce my best work sitting at my workshop bench, where I remain a full-time car mechanic. Whilst good old Roald enjoyed a view of the Cotswolds, I have little more to look at from my writing spot than the orientated strand board from which the workshop is built (the stuff commonly used to board up crack dens). But here’s the thing – I no longer wish it any other way. Because being an author and holding down a nine-to-five brings with it more advantages than I’d have imagined.

It Takes All Sorts

Good stories are about good characters. And there is no better inspiration for such than being out amongst people daily. In recent months, two entirely unrelated men have come to my workshop complaining that the horns on their cars aren’t loud enough. They are similarly bearded, broad-shouldered blokes who one instinctively knows not to discuss politics with. And of course, lovely inspiration. As is the well-spoken lady who, when I enquired how her holiday to Corsica had been, shot back ‘Do you know the island well?’ So much personality revealed in one line. The old gent who’s kindly but dismisses all matters of mental health as nerves. The down-on-his-luck guy who told me his evening’s plan was to ‘Put on my Rolex and pretend I’m a normal person.’ You can’t make this stuff up (well, I can’t anyway). Every novel carries, on its very first page, its greatest fiction – that disclaimer about similarities to people living or dead being purely coincidental. Our daily working lives bring with them a cast of unique, three-dimensional people whose traits are ripe for harvesting.

A book concept might be what brings the reader in, but it is great characters that keep them reading. You won’t meet many in your shed.

A Little Room to Ruminate

A great deal of what we call writing involves no writing at all. It’s thinking, plotting, refining. How often do you find a knot in the plot untangling itself whilst in the shower, or on a long walk? There’s science behind this too – when the body is carrying out a routine task such as strolling on familiar ground a greater amount of brain power is available for problem solving. In my case this means that story solutions can arrive fully formed whilst I change the brake pads on a Honda Civic. It’s certainly more effective than wracking my brain in front of the laptop. Those menial, muscle-memory tasks in the workplace can be an invaluable resource for an author. And what’s more, you’re getting paid to do them.

Thanks, but No Thanks

I used to play in bands here and there. I was fortunate enough to work with some super talented people. Many of these folks did it as a full-time job. Sometimes they were busy and touring and living the dream; often though (and despite incredible musicianship) they were trekking up and down the country to play Mustang Sally to yet another wedding dancefloor. Those with a day-job however – they didn’t need the money to make the rent, they only took the gigs they fancied. Their unfettered love of performing shone though in their playing every time.

And so it is with writing whilst working: you get to pick your gigs. A request from a magazine who have messed you about in the past? Thanks, I’ll get back to you. A podcast invitation from someone whose style you don’t care for? I’m afraid I’m busy that night. Sharpening my HBs.

The Check’s in the Post

A couple of years ago I secured (or rather my agent did) a screen option with one of the big streamers. I’m not trying to show off here, and it wasn’t for massive money, but it was the largest amount I’ve yet earned (in one go) since becoming an author. It took nine months to be paid. Sadly, the publishing industry is a bit like that. And those of us with hungry mouths to feed (even if just our own) are liable to be driven to distraction waiting months to be paid when it’s our sole source of income.

There’s a more important principal at stake here. The lead times and payment terms that are the accepted norms in publishing make the industry less accessible than it could be. It favours those from wealthy backgrounds who can afford to produce work without swift remuneration. And so, by hanging on to our jobs, those of us without independent wealth can still have our voices heard. That really does matter.

The Fan Club

In those early, pre-published days of writing at my bench, I’d lie about what I was up to. ‘Just doing an invoice,’ I’d mumble, swatting the laptop shut. I mean, what sort of car mechanic works on a novel whilst waiting for parts to arrive? I felt it was too silly to own up to.

I couldn’t have imagined back then how my customers and co-workers would go on to be such champions of my work: early readers, evangelists, enthusiastic reviewers, the best kind of noisy book launch guests. It’s usual these days for somebody to bring their car to me, together with a kind word about my work and a book to be signed on the front seat.

There’s something about aspiring to be an author that excites those around you, and no one more so in my experience, than those in the workplace. They really do want you to succeed.

It’s a level of touching support that I would never swap for the solitude of the writing shed. Not even for the comfort of a sleeping bag.

---

Q&A with Author Danila Botha!

TSNOTYAW: What would you say you’ve done right to build a strong and supportive writing network?

Danila Botha: I’m so grateful to the other writers in my network. I’m grateful I’ve met and connected with writers everywhere I’ve been. I try to give as much as possible, to promote their work, to blurb if I’m asked to, to do events and readings together, to be an early reader, to give feedback, to share their joys and successes, to share their stories and wins on social media. It’s so important for us to be each other’s support systems, to be able to share in the reality of our lives, to empathize and encourage each other and to share in joy.

How do you ensure you have enough time to write amidst so many obligations competing for your time?

It can be hard, for sure. I have three kids. My oldest is ten, and on the autism spectrum, my middle kid is 4.5, and my youngest is 1.5. I also have two amazing rescue dogs, all of which is to say, things can get chaotic very quickly in my house. I have a babysitter who helps me with my youngest, and my older two are in school. I used to be a writer who did my best work late at night, but now the best time for me to do work is during the day, from after school drop off to pick up time. I also often write and edit and mark at night after everyone’s gone to bed, but I also have rheumatoid arthritis, so I can’t do that every night like I used to or I start having flares. I often feel like I don’t have a minute to waste, and I have to be very organized, which is not really in my nature. I have to do lists like you can’t imagine. I love the feeling of crossing things off lists, or erasing them in word documents and moving on to the next thing. The truth is, I feel exceptionally fortunate to be able to write books as a job. It was my dream as a kid who loved to read and loved to make up stories. I really love what I do, even on the toughest days, it always energizes me. I get to live in a world of books and imagination and research. So even when things are up to the eyeballs busy, it’s hard to feel stressed. I mostly just feel lucky.

What is the most challenging part of being a successful author? And how do you mitigate its effects?

This is funny, but it can be hard to feel successful because as you achieve one goal, or one dream, there are twenty new possible dreams to replace it. I’ve spoken to other writers about imposter syndrome, and it seems to be common, which is comforting. We all struggle with feeling like we’re doing well enough, or wondering if we could or should be doing more. Community helps a lot. It can be hard to balance promotion of a book, and tour with writing and producing new material, or having a plan about what you want to do next. The most helpful thing is to remind myself what a privilege it is that people care - people actually want to hear about a new book, that’s amazing. People are reading it (and isn’t that the dream?). I have rheumatoid arthritis and sometimes I can’t work on things as fast as I want to. My new novel, A Place for People Like Us, which will be out at the end of September, took me years. I started writing it when I did my MFA at Guelph (it was my thesis) and this was back in 2016-2018. It’s 2025 now. Sometimes I just have to remind myself to be kind to myself, that things just take time (and a long gestation period is occasionally necessary).

How important do you think it is for writers to be on social media?

This is such an interesting question because when my first book was published, back in 2010, things were so different. There was a perception, I think especially in literary fiction, that it was almost gauche to do things that were obviously self promoting. We used Facebook for event invitations, for example, and for author pages, but still, people were much more hesitant about using it in general. Today, we have so many more options; Instagram, Bluesky, Threads, Facebook, TikTok, and it’s not only expected, people have realized that it’s an excellent way to connect with community, to connect with other writers, editors, people in publishing, and readers. As someone who is enthusiastic about writing, the revision and editing process, research, and reading other people’s books, and short stories and articles, I love that it allows me to connect with people, to have amazing conversations, to get book recommendations, and to share passion and excitement about books, with the author or with other readers and writers. It genuinely adds a lot to my life. As writers, a lot of what we do is by nature, solitary, and social media gives us so much in the way of likeminded people who share our love for books. It’s such a gift. Also, getting to thank readers who read and post about our books… what an amazing thing. They’re the reason we’re able to do what we do.

If you could travel back in time and meet your past self in the year after the publication of your debut, what words of encouragement and/or warning would you give yourself?

This is such a fun question. I think I’d remind myself to be grateful for how well things went with Got No Secrets. The reviews and the way it was received was way beyond anything I expected, and it’s important to always realize what a gift that is. I would also tell myself that sometimes things go up and down, and I was about to experience my first big set back, which had to do with the publication of my first novel. I would just encourage myself to keep believing in myself, in the stories I wanted to tell and in my ability to tell them, in my ability to keep working and rewriting and editing and refining. Rejection is unfortunately a part of the process too, and I would just remind myself of that, and remind myself of how important it is to keep going. My parents are runners, and my dad would always remind me that mile 21 (a marathon is 26) is the hardest. That’s when people most want to give up (and lie down on the side of the road), which is heartbreaking because they’re so close to reaching their goal. Whenever I’ve felt exhausted and struggling, my dad’s reminded me of mile 21, and to keep going, (and he was always right) I’d remind myself of that.

Do you have any regrets about your journey so far? Do you wish you had done anything differently?

Earlier in my career, I wish I’d taken more photos from book tours, and events. It can all feel like such a blur, and I had such an amazing time, but there are details I can’t remember now, and when I meet people who say they were at certain festivals or reading series or events when I read, I wish I’d taken photos of us. Especially with my first book, but really with my first two, I was so new to everything, I didn’t know how busy things would get, and that one day it would actually be hard to keep track, and that I’d want the mementos. I also wish that early in my career I’d known more about all the amazing prizes for emerging writers- there are such great ones, from Bronwen Wallace, to Journey Prize, Pen Canada New Voices award, etc.- I had no idea they even existed back then. My late great grandmother used to say that you can’t win the lottery if you don’t buy a ticket, and every opportunity a writer has to enter something is a lottery ticket and is worth trying. It took me a few years (and the experience of being on the other side, as a judge too) to realize the importance of that.

What question do you wish an interviewer would ask you? (And what’s the answer to that question!)

In all of my books, I really like to combine unexpected elements to form a narrative which turns that are surprising to readers. For example, in my new novel, A Place for People Like Us, there’s close, intense but complicated friendship, queer relationships, complex family dynamics, white collar crime, conversion to Orthodox Judaism, one character’s background in a cult, lies that become a huge problem, and so much more. I love to get asked about the research process, and to get asked characterization and voice, and what the inspiration was, etc., and what the editing process was like. I love to talk about craft, and also, how coming across unexpected information (an article about the Canadian Ant Hill kids, or an article about a surgeon who committed insurance fraud lead to the existence of characters and their backgrounds). I also love being asked about the editing process, especially in this case because, boy did this novel go through multiple, extensive edits. Aside from the amazing writers who gave me feedback during my MFA, who included literary giants like Catherine Bush, and Dionne Brand and more, I also had amazing feedback from Elyse Friedman and a number of talented writer friends who read various drafts, or heard me doing readings from early drafts. It was a tough process. In my neighborhood, there was a condo being built, and for a while there was just a demolished building, a giant hole with nothing there. At a certain point in the process, I was tempted to take a photo of it, and post it with the words, “So, Danila, how’s the novel going?” I was also tempted to dig a hole in my yard and just bury the manuscript at other points. I’m really grateful now that I didn’t.

---

Tuesday Teaser 😉

Paid members will find Carly and CeCe’s written critiques of the 📕Books with Hooks🪝 queries discussed on this week’s podcast in next Tuesday’s newsletter, along with an amazing Character Inspiration Worksheet from James Goodhand, author of Reports of His Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated. Following on from what James had to say into today’s edition, he suggests fun exercises to help assemble a fascinating cast by harvesting elements of those unique people around us!

If you’ve been struggling with whether or not to let go of a book that keeps getting rejected, you won’t want to miss out on the brilliant essay by Jennifer Fawcett, author of Keep This For Me, who campaigns for you to not give up!

We also have an awesome video by Sean Dietrich, author of Over Yonder, in which he gives invaluable advice on navigating that much-dreaded “C” Word: critique, and how to embrace self-doubt as part of your journey.

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!

---

CeCe’s Writing Tension Course 🤩

CeCe’s popular Writing Tension: Creating Tension, Conflict, and Stakes in a Story course is back and better than ever with fun new features! In addition to the course fundamentals, participants will now have the option of submitting their query letters for a chance to have them critiqued in writing by CeCe (she plans to review at least 50)! And the more students who register, the more she’ll review!

In addition to the new Query Letter Studio, where you’ll learn how to perfect the plot paragraph in your query letter (using examples from selected attendees' query letters!), this 4-day workshop will cover:

• sources of tension and conflict;

• how to establish tension and conflict that translates into stakes;

• formulas for tension, conflict, and stakes

• curiosity seeds

• how to escalate conflict through a story’s plot points;

• the most common mistakes;

• how to tell if you have enough tension, conflict, and stakes (including for quiet novels); and

• the role of conflict in various genres

Course Timing:

• Three sessions on October 13, 16, and 20, 2025 at 7pm EST

• There will be a live, cozy Q&A session on October 27 at 7pm EST (link will be emailed to you by Oct 21st).

For just $199 USD this is a LOT of bang for your buck—sign up today!

---

The Last Beta Reader Match Up of the Year 💞

Have you been sitting on the fence about signing up for the Beta Reader Match Up? Or you have signed up before but haven’t yet found your writing soul mates? The next match up is the last one of the year so don’t snooze on it!

Get matched up with those writing in a similar genre and/or time zone, so they can critique your work as you critique theirs.

Your manuscript doesn't have to be complete to sign up for this 3000-word evaluation.

​This particular match up will be open to registrations from now until the 2^nd of November, with the match up emails going out on the 3^rd of November.

Please spread the word even if you aren’t signing up this time! The more writers we have registered, the better the matches will be, which means you’ll be paying it forward to your fellow authors.

---

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.

---

Cece Lyra is a literary agent at Wendy Sherman Associates. If you’d like to query CeCe, please refer to the submission guidelines at www.wsherman.com. Carly Watters is a literary agent at P.S. Literary Agency, but her work on this podcast is not affiliated with the agency, and the views expressed by Carly on this podcast are solely that of her as a podcast co-host ​and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, policies, or position of P.S. Literary Agency.

---