Episode Summary: "What is Literary Burlesque and Can You Perform It?"

Release Date: February 6, 2025
Hosts: Bianca Marais, Carly Watters, and CeCe Lyra
Guests: N/A

1. Introduction and Announcements

The episode kicks off with Bianca Marais promoting a Beta Reader Matchup initiative, encouraging writers to connect with peers for manuscript critiques. She emphasizes the importance of community-building among emerging writers.

Bianca Marais [00:00]:

"This matchup will be open to registrations from now until the 2nd of March, with the matchup emails going out on the 3rd of March."

Following this, Bianca shares exciting news about her upcoming book launch for "A Most Puzzling Murder", scheduled for June. She invites listeners to an epic launch party in Toronto, featuring a lineup of entertainment and literary prizes.

Bianca Marais [02:30]:

"We'll have an incredible lineup at a downtown Toronto theater space with entertainment that includes a musical number, stand-up comedy, and a really kick-ass MC."

2. Books with Hooks: Query Letter Critique

The primary focus of the episode is the Books with Hooks segment, where co-hosts Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra critique submitted query letters and opening pages.

a. First Query Letter: Molly Phelps, MD

Carly Waters [03:08]:

"Dear Bianca, Carly and Cece, thank you for becoming the writerly voices in my head."

Molly Phelps, a pandemic physician, submits a query for her memoir "All the Bleeding Stops Eventually". The memoir explores her experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, her struggle with long COVID, and personal challenges, including her husband's illness.

Key Critiques:

• Use of Literary Quotes: Carly appreciates the inclusion of an Orson Welles quote but notes the risk in leveraging a master writer's words.

  Carly Waters [06:05]:

  "I understand you're trying to kind of frame what you're trying to do, but it's also like highlighting a master writer. And if you don't live up to the quality of this quote, then it's kind of just showing a bit of disparity."

• Title Effectiveness: The title is lauded as "rock solid" and a strong hook.

  Carly Waters [07:15]:

  "All the bleeding stops eventually. Holy moly. That is a great title."

• Memoir Challenges: Carly discusses the difficulty in selling memoirs, emphasizing the need for a unique angle to stand out.

• Postscript Transparency: The mention of parting amicably with a prior agent is seen as a positive, indicating professionalism and prior interest.

  Carly Waters [11:38]:

  "Amicably is always a good word to use. I'm not saying don't use the word amicably if it's not amicable, but it is a very, very key word here."

Bianca Marais [09:17]:

"Can I just interrupt? You said I would probably strike it, but. And then you went into it so that we'll take that as a pun."

CeCe Lera [13:24]:

"I think you have to figure out your character arc, and I would encourage you to think of this as fiction, specifically when it comes to the story beats."

b. Second Query Letter: Chelsea Chong

CeCe Lera [26:33]:

"Dear Cece, I'm querying you because of your interest in high concept thrillers that keep you guessing."

Chelsea Chong presents her speculative thriller "To See You in the Light", featuring dual protagonists Frankie and Adam who join a mysterious community led by Mara Lin. The plot intertwines elements of romance, speculation, and psychological tension.

Key Critiques:

• Comparative Analysis: CeCe suggests limiting the number of comparative titles ("comps") to enhance clarity and impact.

  CeCe Lera [29:23]:

  "Four comps is too many. It's just confusing to our poor, poor, aged brains."

• Plot Points vs. Vibes: The distinction between external plot points and internal plot vibes is highlighted. CeCe urges the author to focus more on specific plot-driving events rather than just the internal emotional states of the characters.

  CeCe Lera [29:23]:

  "A plot point is an external event that changes the story in a significant way. Plot vibes are internal things."

• Speculative Elements: Carly emphasizes the importance of highlighting the speculative nature of the story as a unique selling point.

  Carly Waters [33:28]:

  "Speculative. The word speculative. This is huge. This is huge."

• Clarity in Character Motivation: Both Carly and CeCe note areas where character motivations and actions could be clearer to enhance reader engagement and plausibility.

  CeCe Lera [37:58]:

  "I don't think you're starting in the right place... I need more specific curiosity seeds."

3. Literary Burlesque Analogy

Bianca introduces the concept of Literary Burlesque, likening the balance between revealing and withholding information in storytelling to the performative aspects of burlesque. This analogy underscores the delicate interplay required in writing to maintain reader interest without oversharing.

Bianca Marais [32:44]:

"This shows you how many layers go into making this thing that is a perfect book... literary burlesque."

4. Sponsor Message (Skipped)

As per instructions, advertisement segments, including the promotion for Acorns, are omitted from the summary.

5. Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Bianca wraps up the episode by reiterating the complexities of crafting compelling narratives and the value of multiple layers in writing. She encourages listeners to utilize beta readers and emphasizes the continuous journey of improvement in their writing endeavors.

Bianca Marais [48:50]:

"Sometimes it's an easy fix, you know, these kinds of things. And this is why beta readers and getting people's eyes on your work is so important so that we can get everybody else's interpretation of it."

Notable Quotes

• Bianca on Writer's Intent:

  "As a writer myself, I'm just always thinking, why is the writer doing this? What are they trying to convey about the character?"

• Carly on Query Effectiveness:

  "Is this query letter doing its job? I do think it’s doing its job. I do think you're potentially going to get interest here."

• CeCe on Character Development:

  "Have your protagonist compare themselves to other people in their lives through their interiority, and watch how your character development takes a big leap."

Conclusion

This episode delves deep into the nuances of crafting effective query letters and building compelling narratives. Through meticulous critique and insightful discussions, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe provide emerging writers with valuable tools and perspectives to enhance their writing and navigate the publishing landscape successfully.

For more detailed feedback and insights, listeners are encouraged to follow the hosts on their Substack newsletter at theshitaboutwriting.substack.com.