Podcast Summary: "The Shit No One Tells You About Writing" – January Bonus Episode: Comp Titles Segment

Episode Information:

• Title: January Bonus Episode: Comp Titles Segment
• Release Date: January 27, 2025
• Hosts: Bianca Marais, Carly Watters, and CeCe Lyra
• Guest: Emily Summer from East City Bookshop

Introduction to the Comp Titles Segment

Kicking off the January Bonus Episode, Bianca Marais welcomes listeners back to The Shit No One Tells You About Writing after a brief hiatus. She introduces the Comp Titles Segment, a beloved feature where Emily Summer from East City Bookshop answers listeners' queries about comparable titles (comps) for their manuscripts. Bianca emphasizes the value of this segment for emerging writers seeking insights into the publishing landscape.

Notable Quote:

"I've been a bit of a break so we have a lot that we've come back to today." — Bianca Marais [02:30]

Listener Comp Title Requests and Expert Recommendations

Throughout the episode, twelve listeners present their novel concepts, seeking Emily's expertise in identifying suitable comp titles. Here's a comprehensive overview of their requests and Emily's thoughtful suggestions:

1. "Echo Brothers Journey" by Lee

• Genre: YA Action-Adventure with Sci-Fi Elements and a Touch of Humor
• Synopsis: Colby and his brother embark on a quest to find their mother's killer, battling governmental forces and other Echoes with unique powers.

Emily’s Recommendations:

• John Scalzi's Works: For action-packed narratives with a humorous undertone.
• Martha Wells's Murderbot Series: Combines action with witty elements.
• "Catch Penny" by Charlie Houston: An adult book with YA crossover appeal and a similar humor slant.

Notable Quote:

"It has that sort of wise ass humor slant that might work for this comp." — Emily Summer [05:45]

2. "Wild Bend"

• Genre: Contemporary Dual POV Women's Fiction
• Synopsis: Follows Shelby and Charlie Beckham through periods of grief and love in rural Oklahoma.

Emily’s Recommendations:

• "The Bright Years" by Sarah Damoff: Texan setting with strong character development.
• "Mercury" by Amy Jo Burns: Family drama with a strong sense of place.
• Books by Mary Beth Keane and Tracy Lang: For themes of class, community, and self-forgiveness.

Notable Quote:

"If you were familiar with One for the Blackbird, One for the Crow... It was referenced which allowed me to look it up." — Emily Summer [08:15]

3. Fantasy within Contemporary Narrative

• Genre: Magical Realism with a Social Work Setting
• Synopsis: A social worker interprets a teenager's fantasy writings to prevent her from losing her career.

Emily’s Recommendations:

• Sarah Addison Allen’s Works: Subtle magic with warmth.
• "Little Mercies" by Heather Gudenkopf: Though older, it addresses similar themes.
• "The House in the Cerulean Sea" by TJ Klune: Fantasy elements with a cozy setting.

Notable Quote:

"It doesn't have to be complete to sign up for this 3,000 word evaluation." — Bianca Marais [01:15:30]

4. Women's Fiction and Romance Novel

• Genre: Dual Timeline Romance
• Synopsis: Liv Riley balances motherhood and her Olympic swimming dreams, facing a second chance at lost love.

Emily’s Recommendations:

• "The Nobodies" by Liza Palmer: Themes of ambition and second chances.
• "Perfect Tunes" by Emily Gould: Aspiring artist facing personal challenges.

Notable Quote:

"It might capture the ambition and fulfilling your dreams parts and sort of quasi new adult." — Emily Summer [10:20]

5. "The Moonlight Diner"

• Genre: Supernatural Mystery with Sweet Romance
• Synopsis: Prairie O'Shea navigates murders and romance in Oak Springs, NY, with a mysterious drifter.

Emily’s Recommendations:

• Ilona Andrews’s Paranormal Mysteries: Combining plot-driven supernatural elements with romance.
• Lindy Ryan’s "Bless Yous Heart": Charming supernatural mystery without heavy romance.

Notable Quote:

"They are very much concerned with the plot and the paranormal and the mystery." — Emily Summer [11:05]

6. Memoir: "Blood, Love and a Pharmaceutical Scandal"

• Genre: Memoir with Dual Timelines
• Synopsis: Explores the impact of husband’s FBI arrest juxtaposed with financial struggles a decade earlier.

Emily’s Recommendations:

• "After Perfect" by Christina McDowell: Family upheaval due to a parent's wrongdoing.
• "Perfection: A Memoir of Betrayal and Renewal" by Julie Metz: Navigates personal and familial betrayal.
• "The Widow's Guide to Dead Bastards" by Jessica Waite: A memoir delving into personal loss and resilience.

Notable Quote:

"I love a memoir. I would read this in a heartbeat." — Emily Summer [16:40]

7. Dual Timeline Multi POV Book Club Fiction

• Genre: Family Drama Set in Scotland and Cornwall
• Synopsis: Two brothers' lives diverge after a tragic accident, exploring themes of grief and redemption.

Emily’s Recommendations:

• "Wild Dark Shore" by Charlotte McConaughey: Sibling secrets and coastal settings.
• Emily Usher’s "Wild Ground": Strong sense of place with tender character dynamics.

Notable Quote:

"It's such a lovely comp because you mentioned the importance of the sea and the coast." — Emily Summer [12:30]

8. Women's Fiction at a Crisis Point

• Genre: Contemporary Fiction with Themes of Academia and Healthcare
• Synopsis: A high-achieving woman faces blackmail and personal turmoil within academia and healthcare sectors.

Emily’s Recommendations:

• "Vladimir" by Julia Mae Jonas: Professional crises and turbulent relationships.
• "All Fours" by Miranda July: Personal crises and self-discovery.
• "Disorientation" by Elaine Chu: Burnout and messy relationships in academia.

Notable Quote:

"It's such a great read because it's so smart, so well written." — Emily Summer [13:50]

9. Contemporary Literary Fiction: Assisted Dying

• Genre: Contemporary Fiction with Ethical and Familial Themes
• Synopsis: A woman grapples with assisting her terminally ill friend’s death amidst political debates.

Emily’s Recommendations:

• "Mame" by Jessica George: Caregiving and personal balance.
• "In Love" by Amy Bloom: Ethical considerations of assisted dying.
• "The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeyset" and "Blood Farm" by Kara McGoogan: Exploring similar ethical and personal themes.

Notable Quote:

"It's about how hard it would be to be Boo Radley's mother." — Emily Summer [18:10]

10. Post-Apocalyptic Family Drama: "By the Light of the Auroras"

• Genre: Post-Apocalyptic Fiction with Family and Survival Themes
• Synopsis: Matilda and her family fight for survival after a societal collapse, rekindling relationships and personal growth.

Emily’s Recommendations:

• "The Dog Stars" by Peter Heller: Survival with hopeful undertones.
• "The Displacements" by Bruce Hulsinger: Family resilience in post-apocalyptic settings.
• "Leave the World Behind" by Rumaa Lam: Dependence on technology and sudden societal changes.

Notable Quote:

"We are ready for this book. The Dog Stars is on our radar." — Emily Summer [20:25]

11. Fantasy Novel: "Redacted"

• Genre: Dark Fantasy with Divine Power Dynamics
• Synopsis: Darren, a demigod, battles ancient horrors threatening the universe and his own identity.

Emily’s Recommendations:

• "The Library at Mount Char" by Scott Hawkins: Human versus divine conflict.
• Robert Jackson Bennett's Founders Trilogy: God versus human dynamics on a large scale.

Notable Quote:

"It is a trilogy where it's God versus human. Who are we? What are we capable of?" — Emily Summer [22:15]

12. Historical Fiction: "Beyond the Breakwater"

• Genre: Historical Fiction with Themes of Sacrifice and Redemption
• Synopsis: Set in the 1918 Azores Islands, it follows Manny, a carpenter’s apprentice, striving to save his family and community amid wartime chaos.

Emily’s Recommendations:

• "In Memoriam" by Alice Wynn: Deeply researched WWI fiction.
• "Hazelborn Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club" by Helen Simonson: Post-WWI community and healing.
• "Whalebone Theater" by Joanna Quinn: Wartime narrative with a strong sense of place.

Notable Quote:

"It's deeply researched atmospheric historical fiction." — Emily Summer [24:50]

Closing Remarks and Upcoming Events

As the episode nears its conclusion, Bianca reiterates the importance of the Deep Dive Virtual Retreat scheduled for February, highlighting sessions with top editors, agents, and authors. She also promotes the Beta Reader Matchup, encouraging writers to connect with peers for manuscript critiques.

Notable Quote:

"It's our most stellar lineup to date... 32 scholarships awarded for a Deep Dive." — Bianca Marais [26:30]

Emily Summer wraps up by expressing her enthusiasm for the diverse book projects and commends the writers for their creativity and resilience.

Final Notable Quote:

"Good luck to you because I want this on my shelves so that I can read a copy." — Emily Summer [28:45]

Conclusion

This January Bonus Episode of The Shit No One Tells You About Writing provided invaluable insights for writers seeking appropriate comp titles across a spectrum of genres. Emily Summer's expert recommendations, paired with her thoughtful explanations, offered listeners a roadmap to position their manuscripts effectively within the literary market. The hosts’ enthusiastic support and promotion of upcoming events further reinforced the podcast’s commitment to nurturing emerging writers.

For more detailed discussions and expert advice, listeners are encouraged to tune into future episodes and participate in upcoming events hosted on The Shit No One Tells You About Writing platform.

Key Takeaways:

• Comp Titles are Essential: Understanding comparable works helps position your manuscript in the market.
• Emily’s Expertise: Leveraging her deep knowledge can guide writers in refining their queries and improving their chances with agents and publishers.
• Community Engagement: Participating in retreats and matchmaking events fosters connections and growth within the writing community.

Next Episode Preview: Stay tuned for next week's episode, where Bianca and her cohosts will delve into advanced manuscript revisions with special guest authors providing hands-on guidance.

Connect with the Hosts:

• Website: The Shit About Writing
• Deep Dive Page: Visit the website’s Deep Dive section for more information and to sign up.
• Beta Reader Matchup: Register at BiancaMarae.com under the Beta Reader Matchup tab.

Reminder: Keep writing, stay inspired, and remember – it just takes one yes to propel your writing journey forward.