May Bonus Episode
From The Shit No One Tells You About Writing by Bianca Marais, Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra
May 25, 2026 · 1h 16m
About this episode
This episode features discussions on identity, grief, and the emotional truth behind humor in writing, along with insights into women's roles in crime fiction.
In part one of this month’s May Bonus episode, Steven Rowley joins Bianca Marais to discuss his latest novel and return to magical realism. Together, they explore identity, grief, reinvention, and the emotional truth behind humor, while diving into craft topics like character-driven storytelling, writing emotionally layered scenes, and grounding surreal premises in lived experience. With reflections on queer identity, long-term relationships, and the universality of loss, this conversation is equal parts writing masterclass and heartfelt exploration of what it means to lose—and find—yourself. In part two of this bonus episode, bestselling author Megan Abbott joins literary agent CeCe Lyra for a deep dive into women, money, crime fiction, and the emotional truth behind suspense novels. From the messy realities of sisterhood and female ambition to the power of POV, plot engines, and writing obsession, Megan shares candid insights into her creative process, why crime is never really the point, and how authors survive the emotional vulnerability of publishing. Plus: thoughts on genre, critique partners, book trends, and the novels that continue to inspire her craft. And finally…
People in this episode
Hosts: CeCe Lyra, Bianca Marais
Guests: Steven Rowley, Megan Abbott
Topics covered
- magical realism
- identity
- grief
- emotional truth
- women in crime fiction
- suspense novels
- creative process
Keywords
- writing
- character-driven storytelling
- emotional layers
- queer identity
- female ambition
- suspense
- publishing
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Wendy Sherman Associates, P.S
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