Podcast Summary: The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
Episode Title: Shooting The Shit: About Editors, The "Death" Of The Novel & Authors With The "It" Factor
Hosts: Bianca Marais, Carly Watters, and CeCe Lyra
Release Date: August 4, 2025
In this engaging episode of "The Shit No One Tells You About Writing," hosts Bianca Marais, Carly Waters, and CeCe Lyra delve into a range of pressing topics that resonate with emerging writers navigating the complexities of the publishing industry. From dissecting the nuances of dark romance novels to exploring the multifaceted roles of modern editors, the conversation is both insightful and entertaining. Below is a detailed breakdown of the episode's key discussions, enriched with notable quotes for deeper context.
1. Exploring Dark Romance: "Blackbird and the Butcher" & "Lights Out"
The episode kicks off with Carly Waters introducing their take on the dark romance subgenre, specifically discussing the novels "Blackbird and the Butcher" and "Lights Out."
Carly shares her experience:
"I read maybe 40% of 'Blackbird and the Butcher' and then had to jump to 'Lights Out' to compare the subtrends in dark romance." [01:43]
CeCe offers her critique:
"The writing's strong, but the story was too tame for my taste. Accidental cannibalism felt too easy, and the attraction between characters lacked plausibility." [04:49]
The hosts debate the evolving elements of dark romance, highlighting the blend between horror and romance, and the increasing portrayal of women taking control in violent narratives.
2. Handling Professional Miscommunication: The Email Drama
A significant portion of the discussion revolves around Carly’s recent experience with an accidental email miscommunication involving an editor.
Carly recounts:
"An editor accidentally sent me a rejection meant for an intern. I responded professionally, keeping the door open for future collaborations." [09:11]
They emphasize the importance of understanding different professional perspectives and using such incidents as teaching moments. CeCe praises Carly’s handling of the situation:
"I like how you handled that. It's such an interesting insight." [11:50]
3. Mastering the Author Questionnaire
CeCe introduces the topic of author questionnaires, a crucial but often overwhelming aspect for authors post-book deal.
CeCe explains:
"Author questionnaires require in-depth responses about your book, connections, and media strategies. It's essential to fill them out thoroughly to maximize opportunities." [15:03]
Carly adds:
"Think of it as framing your work within the current market and positioning it effectively to serve various departments like marketing and publicity." [18:35]
They encourage authors to embrace this process as a way to showcase their work comprehensively.
4. The Multifaceted Role of Modern Editors
The hosts delve into an insightful discussion based on an article from Substack titled "Three Jobs of the Modern Editor" by Sean Delon.
CeCe summarizes:
"Editors now juggle roles as project managers, editors, and investors. This expands their responsibilities and contributes to their exhaustion." [22:30]
Carly reflects:
"Separating the acquisition and developmental editing roles can streamline processes and improve project management within publishing houses." [26:01]
They highlight the complexities editors face and the passion required to sustain in such demanding roles.
5. Navigating "Doom Scrolling" in the Digital Age
Addressing the modern challenge of doom scrolling, the hosts explore mindful consumption of digital content.
Carly defines her experience:
"Doom scrolling for me is mindlessly browsing Instagram before bed, searching for a dopamine hit or companionship." [33:43]
CeCe shares her unique take:
"I don't doom scroll on my phone. Instead, I catastrophize in my mind but counteract it by imagining positive scenarios for someone I love." [36:03]
Their discussion offers practical strategies to mitigate the negative impacts of excessive online consumption.
6. The "Death of the Novel": Responding to Criticism
Carly introduces David Brooks’ New York Times opinion piece "When Novels Mattered," which laments the decline of literary fiction in favor of genre novels.
Carly expresses frustration:
"He dismisses genre novels like those by Colleen Hoover, but the bestseller list reflects diverse and vibrant genres." [39:22]
CeCe counters:
"Literary fiction is still alive in various forms. The blanket statement that only literary novels matter is misguided and snobbish." [39:41]
They also commend Ann Patchett’s spirited response, which effectively defends the relevance and diversity of contemporary novels.
7. AI in Book Marketing: Personalized Editions
Carly introduces an intriguing case of AI-driven personalized book editions by the publisher Authors Equity.
Carly describes:
"They use AI to create individualized copies of books, including personalized jackets and introductions for influencers." [44:54]
CeCe reflects:
"It's a cool but potentially costly marketing strategy that piques interest, though it raises questions about scalability and authenticity." [46:00]
This segment explores the intersection of technology and marketing in the modern publishing landscape.
8. Understanding the "It Factor" in Authors
The hosts engage in a thoughtful conversation about what makes an author possess the elusive "it factor."
CeCe defines:
"The 'it factor' is a sense of charisma and energy that makes an author sellable. It's an intangible quality that resonates with others." [48:37]
Carly adds:
"It's about authenticity and storytelling in marketing, aligning with current trends that value vulnerability and aspirational qualities." [50:59]
They emphasize that the "it factor" evolves with cultural shifts and is integral to an author's marketability.
9. Do Agents Have Reading Slumps?
Addressing listener questions, the hosts discuss whether literary agents experience reading slumps akin to writer's block.
Carly admits:
"Yes, agents do have reading slumps. Sometimes books don't grab your attention, and it takes switching genres or trying samples to get back on track." [52:53]
CeCe humorously shares her perspective:
"I don't experience slumps, but I do have 'reading hangovers' after finishing an addictive book. My cure is to dive into another great read immediately." [53:48]
This segment humanizes agents, showing that they too face challenges in their reading routines.
Conclusion
Throughout the episode, Bianca Marais intermittently reminds listeners about beta reader match-ups, encouraging writers to engage with peers for mutual critiques. The conversation is a blend of professional insights, personal anecdotes, and practical advice, making it a valuable listen for writers seeking to navigate the multifaceted world of publishing.
Notable Quotes:
- "Editors are now project managers, editors, and investors, wearing multiple hats that contribute to their exhaustion." – CeCe Lira [25:24]
- "The 'it factor' is an intangible quality that makes an author resonate and be memorable." – CeCe Lira [48:37]
- "Doom scrolling is mindlessly browsing for a dopamine hit, but being mindful about it can reduce its negative impact." – Carly Waters [33:43]
For those who haven't listened, this episode offers a comprehensive look into the unseen challenges and evolving trends in writing and publishing, all while maintaining a light-hearted and relatable tone.