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Books with Hooks at WWC

The team at Shit No One Tells You About Writing is recording an episode of the podcast live at When Words Collide (WWC) this year, including Books with Hooks!

Fans of the podcast will recognize this is the segment where the hosts examine real query letters and opening pages to talk about how to make them stand out and grab the attention of literary agents and publishers.

NOTE: Please remember that if your submission doesn't get selected, it's not a judgement on the quality of the work. Bianca, Carly, CeCe and the team all have different criteria and try to choose work that they can use as teaching opportunities.

Due to time constraints, the podcast can only cover ten (10) submissions on the show. The discussion will be focused on elements that will improve your query and pages as opposed to the aspects that are already working well.

Use this form to submit your query and first five pages to be critiqued on the show.
Amendments to submissions cannot be accommodated. Please only submit when you are 100% sure the work and query are ready.
Deadline for submission is August 7, 2026 at 11:59pm MT.

What genre is your submission?

What genre is your submission?

How far along are you in your writing journey with this project?

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Upload your file here.

Please read these submission guidelines before your upload your file:
1. Combine the query letter and the first five pages of your manuscript in one file.
2. Submissions must only be in either .doc or .docx file types.
3. Submissions must be double-spaced.
4. Submissions must be in 12-point font size and in standard manuscript fonts like Times New Roman, Courier, Arial, and Calibri.
5. Submissions with more than the first five pages of a manuscript will be removed from consideration.
6. Please redact any information on your manuscript that you do not want disclosed on the podcast (like your name or the title of your novel.)

I understand that once I have submitted my work, I won't be able to amend or withdraw my submission

I understand that once I have submitted my work, I won't be able to amend or withdraw my submission

I give permission for the marked up version of my pages to be shared with the podcast's supporters via The Shit No One Tells You About Writing Substack.

I give permission for the marked up version of my pages to be shared with the podcast's supporters via The Shit No One Tells You About Writing Substack.

I understand that I need to listen to the podcast to hear if my submission was chosen.

I understand that I need to listen to the podcast to hear if my submission was chosen.

I confirm that this is my only submission and that it is 100% correct with all the redacted information removed.

I confirm that this is my only submission and that it is 100% correct with all the redacted information removed.