The Infinite Options of Where to Begin

From The Shit No One Tells You About Writing Bianca Marais, Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra

This week on Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly, and CeCe break down two standout queries—and what they get right (and wrong).

First up: a UK-set enemies-to-lovers romance featuring a disgraced chef, a fallen influencer, and a double-booked garden plot. The hosts talk about query length, POV clarity, influencer culture on the page, and whether surface-level charm is enough to sustain romantic tension.

Then: a YA fantasy revenge story about an angel hunting her human ex-lover after a brutal betrayal. This segment is packed with praise—and sharp craft notes on stakes, dual timelines, withholding backstory, and morally grey characters.

Note: CeCe Lyra is a literary agent at Wendy Sherman Associates. If you’d like to query CeCe, please refer to the submission guidelines at www.wsherman.com. Carly Watters is a literary agent at P.S. Literary Agency, but her work on this podcast is not affiliated with the agency, and the views expressed by Carly on this podcast are solely that of her as a podcast co-host and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, policies, or position of P.S. Literary Agency.

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