Comp Titles That Make Agents Go...Hmm

This week’s Books with Hooks gets real. The hosts dissect two query letters — one with a jaw-dropping horror premise and another that sparks big conversations about comps, pacing, and giving away too much too soon. From believable character choices to the difference between strong writing vs strong storytelling, this episode is packed with blunt, actionable feedback emerging writers need to hear. If you’re querying, revising, or obsessing over your first pages — don’t miss this one.​​Trigger Warning: This episode contains adult language and discussions of mature themes. Listener discretion is advised.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.Find us on our socials:Threads: https://www.threads.net/@the_shit_about_writinghttps://www.threads.net/@biancamarais_authorhttps://www.threads.net/@carlywatters https://www.threads.net/@cece_lyra_agentInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_shit_about_writing/https://www.instagram.com/biancamarais_author/ https://www.instagram.com/carlywatters/ https://www.instagram.com/cece_lyra_agent/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TSNOTYAWWebsites: www.theshitaboutwriting.com, www.biancamarais.com, www.carlywatters.com and www.cecilialyra.comBookshop.org affiliate page: https://bookshop.org/shop/theshitnoonetellsyouaboutwritingTo sign up for our Substack newsletter, head to https://theshitaboutwriting.substack.comOur Sponsors:* Check out Quince and use my code quince.com/tsnotyaw for a great deal: https://www.quince.com* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com* Check out Wayfair: https://www.wayfair.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands