Best CeCe Lyra Podcasts (2025)

1
What is a familiar query letter... 42:10

7d ago42:10

42:10

In this episode of Books with Hooks, literary agents Carly and CeCe return with insightful feedback on query letters, focusing on commercial women’s fiction and book club fiction. They celebrate Bianca’s exciting book launch and dive deep into the craft of storytelling—discussing character development, emotional resonance, and the vital role of ori…

1
When Silicon Meets Stories: AI's Publishing Paradox and Le Guin's Legacy of Hope 46:55

14d ago46:55

46:55

Blake explores two stories that reveal where literature stands in 2025: industry leaders at the U.S. Book Show choosing "human neighborhoods" over algorithmic efficiency, and the announcement of the Ursula K. Le Guin Prize shortlist celebrating books that imagine genuine alternatives to how we live now. While AI makes content creation cheaper, it a…

1
Replacing Plot with Emotion in Quiet Novels 26:06

14d ago26:06

26:06

In this engaging conversation, Bianca interviews debut author Lidija Hilje. Her articles and essays were published in the New York Times, and other outlets. She runs a book club for writers with a membership of close to 100, and is an active member of the WFWA.The authors discuss her novel 'Slanting Towards the Sea,' exploring themes of literary ci…

1
June Bonus Episode 1:03:10

17d ago1:03:10

1:03:10

In part one of this month’s bonus episode, Bianca Marais chats with New York Times bestselling author Lucy Foley about her shift from historical fiction to gripping thrillers. They dive into the essential role of setting, atmosphere, and character development in her novels, and Lucy shares how she builds suspense and keeps readers guessing with tec…

1
Why Machines Can't Write Novels (And Why That Matters) 27:38

21d ago27:38

27:38

Blake dives into the explosive revelation that tech giants like Meta have been training AI models on millions of pirated books from shadow libraries like LibGen—all without author consent or compensation. From Ta-Nehisi Coates to Sarah Silverman, major authors are fighting back with lawsuits. But this isn't just about copyright law; it's about the …

1
Emotions—But Make It Messy 35:53

21d ago35:53

35:53

In this exciting episode of Books with Hooks, Bianca, CeCe, and Carly sit down with Casey, winner of the Masana Literary Project Fundraiser, to chat about her debut novel, ‘The Break of Light.’ The hosts dive deep into Casey’s query letter, unpacking the story’s emotional layers, compelling plot, and rich character dynamics. CeCe and Carly offer sh…

1
How Withholding Backstory and Context Can Actually Elevate A Story 30:00

28d ago30:00

30:00

In this inspiring interview, Bianca connects with debut author Aisling Rawle and dives into ‘The Compound’—a dark, gripping tale set in the twisted world of reality TV. She opens up about her unconventional path to publishing, the pivotal role her literary agent played, and the novel’s central themes of desire, materialism, and social critique. Ais…

1
One of the Best Hooks We’ve Had on a BWH Segment 35:44

1M ago35:44

35:44

Pop the champagne—it’s the 200th episode of Books with Hooks! Join hosts Bianca, Carly, and CeCe as they celebrate this major milestone with signature style and sharp writing advice. In this special segment, they dive into two fresh submissions: a gripping crime thriller and a thought-provoking book club novel. Carly and CeCe deliver expert feedbac…

1
Writing for the Internet... Ew. 42:01

1M ago42:01

42:01

In this episode of Inkwell Insights, host Blake Reichenbach explores how internet writing practices have evolved and impacted the craft of writing itself. Key Takeaways for Writers: Recognizing Manipulation in Digital Marketing: The episode begins by exposing the "test email" clickbait strategy, serving as a reminder for writers to maintain authent…

1
Bianca and CeCe Discuss The Real Sh*t No One Tells You About Writing 36:15

1M ago36:15

36:15

In this special episode, CeCe Lyra sits down with our very own Bianca Marais to explore her writing journey, with a spotlight on her latest novel, ‘A Most Puzzling Murder.’ If you’re not already familiar with her work, Bianca is the bestselling author of ‘The Witches of Moonshyne Manor’, the beloved novels ‘Hum If You Don’t Know the Words’ and ‘If …

1
Concrete vs. Abstract Curiosity 43:36

2M ago43:36

43:36

In this special episode of Books with Hooks, author Kate Visser joins hosts Bianca, Carly and CeCe to share insights about her query letter for her YA fantasy novel, 'Stage of Shadows.' Carly and Cece dissect the strengths and weaknesses of Kate’s pitch, particularly focusing on character arcs, world-building, and the complexities of dual POV narra…

1
May Bonus Episode 2:32:21

2M ago2:32:21

2:32:21

In the first part of this month’s bonus episode, Carly Watters interviews Anna Mitchael, an accomplished author and copywriter. Anna discusses her writing journey, experiences in magazine publishing, and the art of storytelling through vignettes. They discuss the importance of building relationships in the writing community, the unique format of vi…

1
Literary Agents 101 with CeCe Lyra 46:05

2M ago46:05

46:05

Cecilia (“CeCe”) Lyra is a literary agent at P.S. Literary Agency representing adult fiction and non-fiction. She is drawn to books with strong hooks and smooth writing, told with originality, nuance, and authenticity. A long-term strategic thinker, CeCe prioritizes the creative reach and sustainable longevity of her authors’ careers, and she is es…

1
How a Books With Hooks Query Became a Buzzy Debut 28:16

2M ago28:16

28:16

In this eye-opening episode, Bianca Marais interviews Jessica Guerrieri, author of 'Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea.' They discuss Jessica's journey from teaching special education to becoming a published author, her experiences with addiction recovery, and the evolution of her debut novel. They discuss the intricacies of writing, the impor…

1
Leaning into Illustrator Notes & CeCe Not Minding a But, But 41:45

2M ago41:45

41:45

In this episode of Books with Hooks, Bianca, CeCe, and Carly dive into a YA fantasy romance query, breaking down what works—and what doesn’t—when it comes to character arcs, high stakes, and spot-on comp titles. The hosts then shift gears to a picture book query, spotlighting the power of a strong hook and truly kid-focused storytelling. Packed wit…

1
Nuggets of Wisdom from Carley Fortune and Sue Hincenbergs 55:41

2M ago55:41

55:41

In part one of this week's author interviews, Bianca sits down with Canadian superstar writer, Carley Fortune. The authors discuss her latest novel 'One Golden Summer', reflecting on her creative process, the challenges of writing under pressure, and the importance of character development. She shares insights into navigating reader expectations an…

1
The Problem with the Blank Canvas Protagonist 44:13

3M ago44:13

44:13

In this episode of Books with Hooks, hosts Bianca, CeCe, and Carly first review a query letter for literary fiction, providing insights on emotional depth in character relationships. The conversation emphasizes the need for clarity in plot points and the importance of avoiding the blank canvas protagonist so readers can be engaged and connect with …

1
April Bonus Episode 49:01

3M ago49:01

49:01

In the first part of this bonus episode, Bianca interviews Lauren Ling Brown, author of 'Society of Lies.' They discuss Lauren’s journey to publication, the intricacies of writing dual perspectives and timelines, and the importance of social commentary in her work. Lauren shares insights into her writing process, the challenges of character develop…

1
Upcoming Podcast Guests, Post-Flu Writing, and Postmodernist Literature 37:03

3M ago37:03

37:03

In this episode, Blake discusses some exciting upcoming podcast guests, a foray into a postmodern (in)famous classic, as well as his current fiction project and its most recent updates. Visit: www.charlottewood.com.au To learn more, visit: https://www.blakereichenbach.com/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/autho…

1
An Ingenious Query Hack 30:57

3M ago30:57

30:57

In this informative author interview, Bianca connects with debut novelist Sarah Damoff to discuss her novel, ‘The Bright Years’ which explores the complexities of family dynamics and addiction. Sarah shares her journey through the publishing landscape, the challenges of finding the right agent, the ingenious query hack she used, and the evolution o…

1
Why Plot and Specificity are a Query Letter's Best Friends 49:35

3M ago49:35

49:35

In this episode of Books with Hooks, hosts Bianca Marais, Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra welcome querying author Debbie Whittall to discuss her query letter for her debut novel, 'Linda/Linda.' Carly and CeCe address the challenges of representing a quiet novel in a query format. The discussion transitions to the pages of the manuscript, highlighting t…

1
Ann Napolitano on Overcoming Rejection and Despair as Part of the Writing Life & Kirthana Ramisetti on The Art of Foreshadowing 1:05:46

3M ago1:05:46

1:05:46

In the first part of this episode, Bianca interviews Ann Napolitano, inspiring Oprah Book Club pick author of Hello Beautiful. During the multi-layered interview, Ann shares her journey as a writer, discussing the long path to publication, the importance of perseverance, and the role of gratitude in her success. She reflects on her experiences with…

1
Stage Directions, Opening and How to Avoid Them 35:28

3M ago35:28

35:28

In this episode of Books with Hooks, hosts Bianca, Carly, and CeCe discuss the importance of clarity in storytelling, character development, and the need for emotional depth in writing. The conversation emphasizes the significance of engaging openings and the necessity of establishing strong connections between plot points. They also offer great ti…

1
March Bonus Episode 1:47:34

4M ago1:47:34

1:47:34

In the first part of this month’s bonus episode, Carly Watters interviews Bailey Hannah, a Canadian romance author known for her ‘Wells Ranch’ series. They talk about Bailey’s experience with going from self-publishing to traditional publishing, the importance of quality editing, and the impact of social media platforms like BookTok on author succe…

1
The Quiet Power of Reflection: A Conversation with Charlotte Wood 50:46

4M ago50:46

50:46

In this episode, Charlotte Wood delves into the inspirations behind her novel "Stone Yard Devotional," exploring themes of faith, nature, and personal upheaval. She discusses the challenges and revelations of writing a deeply personal story set in her Australian hometown during a time of global and personal crisis. Charlotte shares insights into he…

1
The Evolution of a Novel: Learning to Let Go 34:31

4M ago34:31

34:31

In this inspiring author interview, Bianca interviews Kath Jonathan, whose debut novel, 'The Resistance Painter', intertwines historical and contemporary narratives. They discuss Kath’s journey as a writer, and the personal challenges she faced, including health issues, over the twelve years she spent writing her novel. The authors chat about the e…

1
Rachel Kitch, Appalachian & Thai Folklore, and... the Omegaverse 40:40

4M ago40:40

40:40

Rachel Kitch is a mixed-race Thai American speculative horror author with a love of writing unsettling, creepy books that still have a spark of light. Rachel has her Masters in Design from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelors from West Virginia University. As a generation 1.5 immigrant, Rachel loves to blend her heritage and incorporate T…

1
It's a Vibe: Plot Points & Emotional Vibes in Storytelling 41:36

4M ago41:36

41:36

In this episode of Books with Hooks, hosts Bianca, Carly and CeCe welcome special guest, literary agent, Lauren Spieller to discuss query letters in romance and fantasy genres. The hosts discuss the distinctions between Young Adult and Adult Fantasy, and the dynamics of character relationships. Lauren provides insightful critiques on a submitted qu…

1
Knowing the Shape of Your Story 31:40

4M ago31:40

31:40

Warning: mature content. In this insightful segment that will make you laugh out loud, Bianca interviews New York Times best-selling writer, Lamda Literary Award finalist and Shearling Fellowship recipient, Kristen Arnett, the author of 'Stop Me If You've Heard This One.' They discuss the unique aspects of Kristen's writing process, including her e…

1
Using the 'Micro to Macro' Hack 34:41

4M ago34:41

34:41

In this episode of Books with Hooks, hosts Bianca, Carly, and CeCe dive into the intricacies of middle grade fantasy submissions. They discuss a query about a fantasy novel featuring a cat protagonist, exploring themes of family, sacrifice, and the stakes involved in the narrative. The conversation shifts to critiques of character development, emot…

1
Media Literacy, BookTok, and Other Woes for Writers in 2025 45:35

5M ago45:35

45:35

Join host Blake Reichenbach in this thought-provoking episode of the Inkwell Insights podcast, where he delves into the evolving landscape of media literacy and its impact on writers and readers in the digital age. Departing from his usual guest interviews, Blake takes center stage to discuss the significant themes from his recent blog post titled …

1
Those Aha Moments That Arrive at the 80 000-Word Mark 28:21

5M ago28:21

28:21

In this engaging conversation, Bianca, interviews New York Times bestselling author Gillian McAllister. The author’s explore Gillian’s writing process, narrative techniques, and character development. Bianca and Gillian chat about the challenges of writing multi-POV novels, the organic twists that emerge during the writing process, and the importan…

1
February Bonus Episode 1:35:39

5M ago1:35:39

1:35:39

In the first engaging conversation of this bonus episode, Bianca interviews Booker Prize-nominated Charlotte Wood, the acclaimed author of Stone Yard Devotional. They delve into the challenges of writing quiet stories, the significance of visitations in the narrative, and the intentional choices behind the unnamed narrator. Wood discusses her uniqu…

1
Delving Deeply Into Your Antagonist's Psyche 44:37

5M ago44:37

44:37

In this segment of Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly and CeCe discuss a gothic horror novel submission as well as a psychological thriller. They highlight the importance of starting a story in the right place, the challenges of multi-POV narratives, and the need for clarity in character perspectives. The critique emphasizes the balance between emotio…

1
Lara Tupper, Inkwell's Biggest Fanilow, on the Value of Story 49:40

5M ago49:40

49:40

Lara Tupper is the author of three books: Amphibians, a short story collection (Leapfrog Global Fiction Award winner; Leapfrog Press, 2021), Off Island, a fictional re-imagining of Paul Gauguin's travels (finalist, Housatonic Book Award; Encircle, 2020) and A Thousand and One Nights (Harcourt and Untreed Reads, 2015), an autobiographical novel abou…

1
The Stories We Tell Ourselves to Make Them More Palatable 33:06

5M ago33:06

33:06

In today’s author interview, Bianca chats with Sarah Chihaya about her memoir, Bibliophobia. During the conversation, they explore the profound impact of literature on identity and mental health. Sarah also reflects on her journey as a reader and writer, the complexities of navigating personal narratives, and the challenges of writing about trauma.…

1
What is Literary Burlesque and Can You Perform It? 48:08

5M ago48:08

48:08

In this segment of Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly and Cece discuss a memoir submission as well as a speculative thriller submission. They highlight the importance of balancing plot points with emotional depth; the significance of character development through interior monologue; how character arcs are crucial in memoir writing; the importance of b…

1
Dr. V Boykin on Writing Difficult Stories 56:09

6M ago56:09

56:09

Dr. V Boykin's recent book, "Fix Your Face and Watch Your Tone," is a product of her mission to rewrite the narrative for marginalized groups in the workplace through innovative and accessible programming, enlightening one unaware mind at a time. The book is a blend of life anecdotes and extensive research, through which Dr. V offers practical solu…

1
Capturing Your Character’s Voice by Deeply Immersing Yourself in Their Perspective 32:28

6M ago32:28

32:28

In this engaging conversation, Bianca interviews Allegra Goodman about her latest novel, Isola, exploring themes of storytelling, character development, and the writing process. Goodman discusses her journey as a writer, the importance of writing what interests you, and the challenges of crafting a historical narrative. The discussion delves into t…

1
January Bonus Episode Comp Titles Segment 48:53

6M ago48:53

48:53

In January’s bonus episode, Bianca and Emilie Sommer from East City Book Bookshop tackle a variety of book recommendations based on listener comp requests. If you’re looking for our usual Q&A segment, that now gets published as part of our end of the month Substack newsletter. Subscribe to get access to that, and so much more: https://theshitaboutw…

1
CeCe Swipes Carly’s Submission 39:23

6M ago39:23

39:23

In this Books with Hooks segment, hosts Bianca, Carly and CeCe delve into two query letters from aspiring authors. The hosts discuss how negotiation can leak tension in storytelling; why character relationships should drive the narrative; how world-building should enhance character development; why queries for retellings need to focus on unique sto…

1
Feast While You Can authors Mikaella Clements and Onjuli Datta on Writing 42:30

6M ago42:30

42:30

Writing may often be a solo endeavor, but Mikaella Clements and Onjuli Datta prove that writing duos can actually work. Real-life wives, Mikaella and Onjuli have created a writing routine for themselves that works, and have brilliant insights for listeners into what makes for effective collaboration and a productive writing dynamic. Mikaella Clemen…

1
Exploring How a Single Choice Can Define an Entire Life 34:45

6M ago34:45

34:45

In this engaging author interview, Bianca chats with Karissa Chen about her debut novel, Homeseeking. During the conversation, they explore the inspiration behind the story, the extensive research that was required before Karissa could begin writing, and the challenges of navigating language and cultural identity in literature. Karissa shares her j…

1
A Query That Ticks all of CeCe’s Psychological Acuity Boxes 42:52

6M ago42:52

42:52

In this Books with Hooks segment, hosts Bianca, Carly and CeCe welcome listeners to a new year of writing while they reflect on their critiquing journey over the past four years. They dive into the critique of two query letters, focusing on the importance of connection, character motivations, and cinematic elements in storytelling. The conversation…

1
Christina Lynch, Author of Pony Confidential, on Writing 37:16

7M ago37:16

37:16

Author Christina Lynch joins the Inkwell Insights podcast to discuss her new novel, "Pony Confidential," a one-of-a-kind mystery with heart and humor, and a hilariously grumpy pony must save the only human he’s ever loved after discovering she stands accused of a murder he knows she didn’t commit. Throughout the interview, we discuss how modern wri…

1
Playing to Your Strengths as a Writer 33:27

7M ago33:27

33:27

In today’s episode, Bianca interviews Emmy award-winning journalist and bestselling author, Kate Fagan, about her debut novel, The Three Lives of Cate Kay. Kate shares how she originally came to listen to the podcast, as well as the details of her journey to publication (which included querying podcast host, Carly Watters). Bianca and Kate go on to…

1
Can An Agent Picture a Movie Trailer After Reading Your Query Letter? 36:41

7M ago36:41

36:41

In today’s Books with Hooks segment, hosts Bianca, Carly, and CeCe provide feedback on two query letters, one for historical fiction and the other for historical fantasy. They discuss the importance of character development, plot clarity, and the balance between world-building and emotional engagement. The conversation emphasizes the need for speci…

1
The Dark Side of 50,000 Words: Examining NaNoWriMo 1:00:53

7M ago1:00:53

1:00:53

NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) began in 1999 as a simple creative challenge: write 50,000 words in November. While it started with good intentions and offers some benefits—like building community among writers and providing structure for creative projects—the initiative has significant drawbacks, especially since becoming a formal nonprof…

1
Techniques for Fully Dramatizing Scenes or Bringing Memories to Life 33:13

7M ago33:13

33:13

In today’s author interview, Bianca interviews Jessica Waite about her memoir, The Widow's Guide to Dead Bastards. Jessica discusses her writing journey as a form of healing, the challenges of the publishing process, and the complexities of grief. They also discuss the intentional choices behind the book's structure, the use of present tense, and t…

1
The Polarizing “P” Word 35:34

7M ago35:34

35:34

In today’s Books with Hooks segment, hosts Bianca, Carly, and CeCe analyze two query letters, one for an upmarket novel and one for women’s fiction, providing insights on character development, prologues, and the importance of clarity in storytelling. The discussion emphasizes the need for movement in narratives and the balance between internal con…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

CeCe Lyra Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

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