Podcast Summary: "Shooting the Shit About Memoirs That Sell and The Publicity Delusion"

Podcast: The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
Hosts: Carly Watters & CeCe Lyra
Date: March 2, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode dives into two main themes: what makes memoirs sell (with a focus on the new memoir Strangers), and the changing reality of book publicity and media coverage in publishing. Carly and CeCe share their perspectives as experienced literary agents, offering behind-the-scenes stories on “putting out fires,” trends with AI-driven submissions, and engaged listener questions. As always, the discussion is candid, supportive, and peppered with humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Industry Trends: Audiobooks and Reader Habits

(04:10–07:22)

• Stats Game: Carly quizzes CeCe on audiobook and print book purchasing habits among readers.
  • Only 17% (in Canada) of people buy an audiobook of a book they’ve already read in print.
  • Reported (but less substantiated) stat: 64% of audiobook listeners may then buy the physical book.

Quote:
"If you're telling me some of these sales are double dipping... then that means readership is going down. And I cannot live in a world where I believe that because I will be depressed."
—CeCe (07:04)

Insight:
The “double dipping” phenomenon—where the same reader buys multiple formats—raises concerns about real readership numbers and publishing metrics.

2. Behind the Scenes: “Putting Out Fires” as a Literary Agent

(12:24–19:21)

• Cover Issues:
  • Covers are a recurring “fire” and are emotionally charged; agents help manage feedback and negotiations to support the author while maintaining publisher relationships.
• Production Timelines & Expectations:
  • Agents monitor that meetings and deliverables are on schedule, advocating for authors when timeline hiccups arise.
• Leverage in Dealings:
  • Preventing accidental loss of bargaining power, especially when authors communicate directly with editors about future projects.
• Contractual Smarts:
  • Agents make sure clients receive all contracted benefits (e.g., a publisher paying for a special service), emphasizing the importance of cc’ing the agent on all communications.

Notable Quote:
"I have never in my life thought to myself, 'Oh, this person ccing me too much in emails.' Never, never, never."
—CeCe (18:48)

3. Memoir Chat: What Makes a Memoir Like Strangers Stand Out?

(19:48–26:29)

• Strangers as Case Study:
  • Classic “rich person divorce memoir,” but notable for its narrative voice, use of symbolic interludes (like the osprey nest), and themes of generational wealth and financial feminism.
  • Writing about COVID is usually tricky, but Strangers manages to pull it off in a way that adds to the story.
  • Discussion about market “comps” and the inevitability of this memoir being used as a model.

Quote:
"The best memoirs do is that they break every rule and then they break out."
—Carly (21:18)

• Audiobooks vs Print:
  • CeCe reflects on how listening to the memoir (especially when narrated by the author) can change her connection with the protagonist, particularly in stories where the internal arc is subtle/passive.

Quote:
"For you, for me, this book is going to be digested with my ears and not with my eyes."
—CeCe (25:16)

• Themes:
  • Financial independence, “bad motherhood” trope, and how these elements make the memoir relatable and resonant for a wide group of women.

4. Listener Questions: Publicity & Traditional Media Coverage

(28:08–38:15)

• Does traditional media coverage still matter?
  • Both agents agree: traditional coverage has less impact on direct sales than before but remains powerful for validation and author branding.
  • Strategic, long-term benefit: accumulation of coverage helps mid-career authors build credibility and eventually supports breakout success.
  • Emotional benefit: Being featured remains deeply meaningful for authors’ sense of legitimacy.

Quote:
"There's a psychological element to 'I was featured in that magazine.' That level of validation for an author can be very important... Our emotions matter, and we have to stop pretending like it doesn't."
—CeCe (30:23)

• Advice to authors:
  • Know your own "why" for seeking media coverage. Is it for sales, career momentum, or personal validation?

5. Publishing Gossip & New Book Deals

(38:16–40:39)

• The Outbox announcement: Literary agent as main character in an upcoming novel—sparking discussion on industry self-reflection and relatability.

6. The AI Submission Crisis

(40:39–47:46)

• Article from The Bookseller highlights:

  • Agents are noticing more queries, with a marked decrease in quality and "flattening" of language—a suspected effect of AI.
  • Visual (illustrator) submissions are also being affected.
  • Leading UK agencies are formalizing anti-AI statements in their guidelines: submissions must be 100% author-generated.

• Key Concerns:

  • Aspiring writers may undermine their growth/self-trust by using AI as a crutch.
  • AI can never replace authentic creative development or genuine feedback.
  • Trend indicates a "loneliness epidemic"—writers seeking AI's validation due to lack of community.

Quote:
"If you're being efficient, you're doing it wrong. Sorry, honey. This is not the industry for efficiency... Pick a different industry."
—CeCe (43:18)

• Bottom Line:
  • AI-generated submissions may result in missed opportunities, with agencies becoming stricter and more suspicious.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Emoji Usage:
"You don't second guess yourself. People use emojis when they're worried their tone doesn't match the words... I don't think you've ever second guessed yourself a day in your life."
—CeCe to Carly, about self-trust (11:12)

On Writer Goals & Validation:
"The why is often to make money part of the why. But it's also to feel loved, to feel validated... It's not egotistical. It's not about their ego. It's about the creation and the work and the beautiful, beautiful thing they put out in the world."
—CeCe (36:51)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Audiobook Stats Game: 04:10–07:22
• Agent “Fires” and Industry Examples: 12:24–19:21
• Memoir Discussion – Strangers: 19:48–26:29
• Publicity & Author Validation: 28:08–38:15
• Book Deal Gossip – The Outbox: 38:16–40:39
• AI Submission Discussion: 40:39–47:46

Listener Engagement & Tone

The hosts encourage comments, YouTube engagement, and feedback on all topics—particularly around habits (emoji use!), industry trends, and books.

Throughout, the banter is accessible and warm, making complex industry realities relatable for emerging writers. Both hosts are clear: transparency, self-trust, and community matter now more than ever for writers navigating a rapidly changing landscape.

End of Content Summary