The Shit No One Tells You About Writing is a podcast for emerging writers, who are looking to improve their work with an aim to having it published, or anyone who would like a behind-the-scenes look at the publishing industry.
Your host, Bianca Marais (the author of Hum If You Don't Know the Words and If You Want to Make God Laugh) interviews authors, agents, editors, publicists, copy editors, creative writing instructors, writing groups, book sellers, jacket designers, audio book narrators, and just about anyone and everyone who's involved in bringing a book to market.
She's joined by literary agents, Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra, from P.S. Literary Agency who read and critique query letters and opening pages in their regular Books with Hooks segment. Expect good advice, honest insights, and a few laughs along the way.
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Meet Your Hosts!
Bianca Marais is the author of the beloved Hum If You Don't Know the Words and If You Want to Make God Laugh.
She holds a certificate in creative writing from the University of Toronto's School of Continuing Studies, where she now teaches. In 2021 she was awarded an Excellence in Teaching Award for Creative Writing.
Before turning to writing, she started a corporate training company and volunteered with Cotlands, where she assisted care workers in Soweto with providing aid for HIV/AIDS orphans. She runs the Eunice Ngogodo Own Voices Initiative to empower young black women in Africa to write and publish their own stories.
Originally from South Africa, she now resides in Toronto with her husband.
Carly Watters began her publishing career in London at the Darley Anderson Literary, TV and Film Agency. She has a BA in English Literature from Queen’s University and a MA in Publishing Studies from City University London.
Since joining PSLA in 2010 Carly has had great success launching new creators domestically and abroad. Never without a book on hand she reads across categories which is reflected in the genres she represents at PSLA.
Representing debuts and bestsellers, Carly is drawn to: emotional, well-paced fiction with a great voice and characters that readers can get invested in, and platform-driven non-fiction.
Cecilia Lyra is an associate agent at PSLA representing adult fiction and non-fiction. She is particularly drawn to books centered around dysfunctional families, ethical or moral dilemmas, and taboo subjects.
As a mixed race Latinx immigrant, Cecilia is passionate about representing under or misrepresented voices and stories that contribute to a larger cultural conversation. She began her publishing career through the Centennial College Book, Magazine and Electronic program and The Rights Factory.
Cecilia is also a recovering lawyer but asks that you do not hold that against her.