In this exciting episode of Books with Hooks, debut author Tali Shammas steps into the spotlight to share her query letter for her genre-blending novel ‘The Color of Blood’—a bold mix of horror, romance, and razor-sharp feminist themes. The hosts dive into an engaging discussion on social justice in fiction, the power of a strong hook, and how to clearly define your audience. They dissect the manuscript’s opening pages, exploring tone, character depth, and what makes a first line unforgettable. Plus, they wrap up with actionable marketing tips and a look at Tali’s inspiring writing journey.
Don’t hit stop just yet! We have a most puzzling surprise for you at the end of this episode!
Note: Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra are literary agents at P.S. Literary Agency, but their work on this podcast is not affiliated with the agency, and the views expressed by Carly and CeCe on this podcast are solely that of them as podcast co-hosts 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_writing
https://www.threads.net/@biancamarais_author
https://www.threads.net/@carlywatters https://www.threads.net/@cece_lyra_agent
Instagram: 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/TSNOTYAW
Websites: www.theshitaboutwriting.com, www.biancamarais.com, www.carlywatters.com and www.cecilialyra.com
Bookshop.org affiliate
page: https://bookshop.org/shop/theshitnoonetellsyouaboutwriting
To sign up for our Substack newsletter, head to https://theshitaboutwriting.substack.com/