Today we’re (finally!) continuing our four-part series on querying literary agents. Whether you're writing fiction or nonfiction, querying without doing your homework is like picking a random person off a dock and asking them to captain your boat across the ocean. In this episode, I'm sharing how to research literary agents and find the ones most likely to say yes to your book.

Overthinking Couch Topics:

• Tools and databases to help you find agents
• How to vet an agent’s interests, history, and red flags
• An analog method for agent discovery that still hold up
• Why being selective can save your sanity and your story

Plus, there's some essential publishing news about the reality of book bans and a hopeful new UK initiative for working-class writers.

• Querying Literary Agents, Part 1: Big Five Dreams or Indie Vibes? - Writing Break - Episode 121
• 7 Tips for Landing a Literary Agent - Writing Break - Episode 75
• Literary Agents and Bestselling Books - Writing Break - Episode 70
• The Bee - A home for working-class readers and writers
• North Carolina advances bill on book bans in public schools
• Book Ban Data | Banned Books
• U.S. Book Challenges Update: March 2025 Edition - I Love Libraries
• PEN America Is Suing against Book Bans in Tennessee
• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks.

Welcome to the first installment of a four-part series on querying literary agents. In this episode, we explore the pros and cons of publishing with a Big Five publisher versus an independent press. Whether you're writing fiction or nonfiction, traditionally publishing or submitting directly to publishers, this episode will help you clarify your publishing goals.

Plus: A roundup of the latest publishing news, including the growing backlash against tech giants using books to train AI.

Overthinking Couch Topics:

• The Big Five publishers: what they offer and what you give up.
• Independent presses: creative freedom and community.
• Why authors might choose commercial reach vs. a passionate niche.
• Important questions to ask yourself before querying.

• Ep 84: Query Letters vs Book Proposals - Writing Break
• Ep 68: Self-Publishing vs Traditional Publishing - Writing Break
• Publishers Accepting Unagented Manuscripts
• Crown Publishing Group Launches Book Imprint Dedicated to Black Voices
• OpenAI copyright lawsuits from authors, New York Times consolidated in Manhattan
• French publishers and authors sue Meta over copyright works used in AI training
• ‘Meta has stolen books’: authors to protest in London against AI trained using ‘shadow library’ | Books | The Guardian
• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks.

It’s time for a heavy dose of writing wisdom, clipped and curated from recent episodes. Whether you’re plotting, editing, procrastinating or just looking for a creative nudge, this episode’s packed with the good stuff: smart takes, helpful reminders, and maybe a little tough love.

Missed a few episodes? I’ve got you covered.

Featuring:

✍️ First-draft and second-draft writing advice

✍️ Actionable writing tips from bestselling authors

✍️ The reality of traditional publishing

✍️ Plus more gems you might’ve forgotten (or ignored 😉)

• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks.