Episode Details

If you tuned into our latest live stream, you know we didn’t hold back. Usually, we’re joined by New York Times best-sellers or indie superstars, but this week, it was just us, Chris and Chris, getting real with the community. We dove into the “unpopular opinions” that every writer thinks but few dare to say, and we launched something that could change your publishing journey forever. It was a fun conversation. Full of questions from the audience and more.Comments on the video on YouTube:“Really interesting show guys. Nice one.”“Superb show!”The “Hot Takes” That Divided the Chat.We opened the floor to the writing community’s most controversial takes on literature. From the broad application of symbology in Dan Brown’s work to the structural repetitiveness of the Harry Potter series, no giant was safe.While we all appreciate the success of these icons, we discussed how certain “formulaic” approaches can be a double-edged sword for new writers. Based on our Facebook thread that had hundreds of replies to the question: what highly popular book do you dislike?Why Most Books Get Rejected.The title of the show wasn’t just clickbait. Rejection is the one thing every author has in common, but why does it happen? Often, it isn’t the story itself, it’s the package.A weak pitch, a cluttered synopsis, or a query letter that misses the mark can end a book’s journey before an agent even reads Chapter One. We’ve seen it time and again over 380+ interviews, and that’s why we decided it was time to take action.BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: The WCCS Query Clinic is OPEN!We are thrilled to officially announce the Query Clinic, hosted right here on our Substack. We wanted a way to give back to the community and provide the kind of hands-on help that usually costs a fortune.How it works:* For Paid Members: Once a month, we will open a dedicated thread where you can submit your work for critique. We will select submissions to be showcased and edited in a monthly video, explaining what we changed and why.* For Founding Members: We are offering a guarantee. Once a month, we will personally work through your first 10 pages, your synopsis, and your pitch letter. Plus, we’ll provide a curated list of agents specifically suited to your work and advice on how to hit “send” with confidence.Our goal is to turn this Substack into a workshop environment where we can all develop our craft together. Don’t be shy, it’s all for the good of the community!What’s Next for WCCS?The year is only getting busier! Mark your calendars for:* The London Book Fair (May): Chris and I will be there in person, interviewing industry leaders in a very posh setting.* Harrogate (July): We’ve been invited back to the world-famous crime writing festival for the 04th time in a row!* Next Week’s Guest: Get ready for something a little different as we welcome Dr. Trina Reed, a Canadian sexologist. We’ll be talking about her new book and perhaps asking some “inappropriate” questions about love triangles in fiction the day before valentines day.Ready to fix your query? [Upgrade to a paid subscription] to join the Query Clinic and get your work in front of us. Let’s get those manuscripts out of the “reject” pile and into the hands of readers.Together as one, we get it done!Find the full video here:Our Mission: Bringing reality to the writing community. From NYT bestsellers to indie pioneers, we share the stats, the setbacks, and the strategies that define the modern author career. We help you write smarter, sell faster, and see the truth behind the numbers.With over 380 interviews and being ranked the No. 3 UK writing podcast of 2025—as well as a top-3 “Must Follow” for 2026—you are in the right place to succeed. Our motto holds true:THE WCCS - TOGETHER AS ONE WE GET IT DONE!

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