Episode Summary: "How a Books With Hooks Query Became a Buzzy Debut"

Podcast: The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
Hosts: Bianca Marais, Carly Watters, and CeCe Lyra
Guest: Jessica Guerreri
Release Date: May 22, 2025

1. Welcome and Introduction ([01:44] - [02:34])

Bianca Marais opens the episode by introducing Jessica Guerreri, a promising debut author whose novel, Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, recently won the Maurice Prize for Fiction from UC Davis. Jessica hails from the Bay Area and resides in Davis, California, balancing her writing career with raising three young daughters. With over a decade of sobriety, Jessica is also an ardent advocate for addiction recovery.

Bianca Marais:
"Jessica, welcome to the show."
(02:34)

2. Book Overview: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea ([02:38] - [05:32])

Bianca shares a detailed synopsis of Jessica's novel, highlighting its exploration of motherhood, addiction, and complex family dynamics. The story follows Leah O'Connor as she grapples with the demands of motherhood, an unfulfilling art career, and a strained relationship with her mother-in-law, Christine. The narrative delves into themes of secrecy, alcoholism, and the struggle for personal identity within a traditional family structure.

Bianca Marais:
"An incredible book. So much insight into motherhood, into being a modern woman, into so many things."
(04:20)

Jessica categorizes her novel as a blend of women's fiction, literary fiction, and book club fiction, drawing comparisons to authors like Celeste Ng and Liane Moriarty.

Jessica Guerreri:
"It is that sweet spot modeled after Celeste Ng, that type of genre where you can't put it down."
(05:32)

3. The Query Process and Initial Feedback ([05:32] - [09:01])

Jessica recounts her experience submitting her query to the Books with Hooks platform in 2023. Initially submitting a multi-perspective (POV) query, Jessica's manuscript featured three female perspectives, aiming for a rich, intertwined narrative.

Jessica Guerreri:
"Dear Bianca, Carly and Cece, I'm enormously grateful."
(06:17)

However, Carly Watters provided constructive feedback, pointing out that the multi-POV approach made the query letter overcrowded and difficult to sell. Despite Jessica's initial enthusiasm, Carly advised focusing on the strongest POV—Leah's—to streamline the narrative.

Jessica Guerreri:
"I was like, oh, come back down to earth. I took that advice to heart."
(09:01)

4. Embracing Feedback and Revising the Manuscript ([09:01] - [13:30])

Bianca emphasizes the importance of maintaining optimism while remaining open to critique.

Bianca Marais:
"For us to be like, this is my big break, right?... That keeps us going as writers."
(11:10 - 11:43)

Jessica shares her determination to persevere through the feedback process, likening her journey to her recovery life. She acknowledges the high rejection rate in the publishing industry but remains steadfast in her commitment to improvement.

Jessica Guerreri:
"The only thing standing in your way is if you quit."
(11:43)

By narrowing the focus to a single POV, Jessica not only strengthened her query letter but also enhanced her novel's appeal, ultimately leading to its successful publication.

5. Enhancing the Narrative Through POV Adjustment ([12:21] - [15:48])

Bianca praises the decision to concentrate on Leah's perspective, noting how omitting Amy and Christine's viewpoints added depth and tension to the story.

Bianca Marais:
"Remember that if you keep your character, the perspective in one character, they can only guess at what everyone else is thinking."
(13:30)

Jessica explains that while the original multi-POV structure provided comprehensive character insights, focusing solely on Leah allowed for a more intimate and claustrophobic portrayal of her struggles.

Jessica Guerreri:
"Leah alone must uncover the villain, her own story, learn how to ask for help."
(13:30)

This strategic shift not only streamlined the narrative but also heightened the emotional impact, making Leah's journey more compelling and relatable.

6. The Role of Beta Readers and Writing Groups ([26:36] - [29:36])

Jessica highlights the invaluable support from her beta readers and writing group, formed through connections made via the podcast and conferences. This community provided honest and constructive feedback, enabling her to refine her manuscript effectively.

Jessica Guerreri:
"If something is not working, let's workshop it and just be brutally honest with each other."
(27:00)

Bianca adds that embracing such feedback is crucial, whether it leads to concentrating on a single POV or enhancing multiple narrative voices to ensure each is strong and distinct.

Bianca Marais:
"You'll have to decide whether to remove peripheral POVs or elevate them to the strongest."
(28:47)

7. Securing an Agent and Publishing Deal ([20:38] - [31:57])

After parting ways amicably with her original agent, Jessica delves into her journey of finding a new representative. Participating in Manuscript Academy was pivotal, allowing her to connect with her current agent, Ismita Hassan of Great Dog Literary. This partnership led to an impressive two-book deal with HarperCollins for her debut.

Jessica Guerreri:
"Time is never wasted when you think that this long, drawn out..."
(31:57)

Jessica underscores the importance of utilizing periods of uncertainty productively, continuing to write and hone her craft even amidst the querying process.

Jessica Guerreri:
"You should be writing in that time. It should be."
(31:57)

8. Final Reflections and Encouragement ([31:57] - [33:02])

Bianca commends Jessica's novel for its layered protagonist and nuanced exploration of modern womanhood and addiction, encouraging listeners to support Jessica's work.

Bianca Marais:
"We wish you much luck with this and we're looking forward to reading your follow up."
(32:56)

Jessica expresses her gratitude and mutual support for Bianca's endeavors, culminating in a heartfelt conclusion to the episode.

Jessica Guerreri:
"Thank you so much for having me. And good luck with your book too, Bianca."
(33:02)

Key Takeaways

• Adaptability is Crucial: Jessica's willingness to heed feedback and adjust her manuscript from a multi-POV to a single POV was instrumental in strengthening her query and narrative.

• Value of Community: Engaging with beta readers and writing groups fosters honest critique and supports the refinement process, enhancing the overall quality of the work.

• Perseverance Pays Off: Despite facing initial setbacks and rejections, Jessica's persistence and continuous improvement led to securing a prestigious two-book deal.

• Strategic Storytelling: Focusing on a single, strong protagonist can create a more intimate and compelling narrative, especially in genres exploring deep emotional and relational themes.

Notable Quotes

• Jessica Guerreri: "The only thing standing in your way is if you quit."
  (11:43)

• Bianca Marais: "If you keep your character, the perspective in one character, they can only guess at what everyone else is thinking."
  (13:30)

• Jessica Guerreri: "You should be writing in that time. It should be."
  (31:57)

Conclusion

In this episode of The Shit No One Tells You About Writing, Jessica Guerreri's journey from an aspiring writer facing challenges in her query process to securing a successful publishing deal serves as an inspiring blueprint for emerging authors. Her story underscores the importance of embracing feedback, the strength of writing communities, and the relentless pursuit of one's craft.

For listeners looking to navigate the complexities of the publishing industry, Jessica's experience offers valuable insights into refining one's work, the significance of strategic storytelling, and the rewards of unwavering dedication.

Interested in reading Jessica Guerreri's debut novel, Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea? Support the podcast and independent bookstores by purchasing through our Bookshop.org affiliate link.