Bad Lit Friends
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badlitfriends.bsky.social
Bad Lit Friends
@badlitfriends.bsky.social
A podcast by writers, for writers, about the doing of writing and publishing.

We swear a lot.

Please love us. We smell good.

www.badlitfriends.com
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🚨NEW EPISODE ALERT🚨

In Part 2 of our series on the demented decision to write a novel, we cover the logistics of actually, y'know, writing: where to start, writing tools (the good, the bad, & the ugh), the importance of backups, and why you have permission to suck. (Spoiler: we both do. It's okay.)
So You Want to Write a Novel — Really? Part 2: The Process (S01E15)
open.spotify.com
🚨NEW EPISODE ALERT🚨

In Part 2 of our series on the demented decision to write a novel, we cover the logistics of actually, y'know, writing: where to start, writing tools (the good, the bad, & the ugh), the importance of backups, and why you have permission to suck. (Spoiler: we both do. It's okay.)
So You Want to Write a Novel — Really? Part 2: The Process (S01E15)
open.spotify.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:27 PM
New BAD LIT FRIENDS drops tomorrow! Part 2 in our 3 part series on "So you want to write a novel!"

We've got some ideas churning around our little noggins, but what would you like to hear us talk about next?

Bad Lit Friends podcast is on Spotify, Apple, and wherever else you get your podcasts!
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November 13, 2025 at 9:42 PM
NEW BAD LIT FRIENDS EP! 2 IN 1 WEEK! YES THIS SCHEDULE WAS ON PURPOSE!*

In this episode, we kick off a three part series: So You Want to Write a Novel—Really? (no really, why would you do this?) We talk reality checks, genre panic, POV disasters & some salty Hot Goss. #writesky #podcast

*it wasn't
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:11 PM
New BAD LIT FRIENDS podcast is up! 🔥💥🌶️🚸 (help we don't know how emojis work!)

This week on BLF, editing! Yay?! Also Penguingate. (not that Penguin) We're on Spotify, Apple, or wherever else you get your podcasts!

#WritingCommunity #Podcasts #Writesky

open.spotify.com/episode/0aBf...
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:31 PM
New Bad Lit Friends has dropped!!!

It's all about pitch contests! The good, the bad, the mood boards.

Also: Book piracy. Is it bad? (uhhh...yeah, duh)

Wherever you get your podcasts...you know the drill!

#WritingCommunity #Podcasts #PitchContests #BookPiracy

open.spotify.com/episode/3w80...
Pitch Perfect (S01E12)
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October 22, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Goooooood MORNING BLUESKY!

Our latest episode of BAD LIT FRIENDS is up in the podonets! Have a listen to our interview with Amber Hamilton, author of her debut novel, SEVEN DEADLY THORNS, a fairy tale where love's true kiss is deadly.

And drop a line here, tell us what you think!
#WritingCommunity
October 15, 2025 at 2:27 PM
NEW BAD LIT FRIENDS drops tomorrow! 🔥💥🎉😱

And damn, this is a good one! We spoke with Amber Hamilton, whose debut novel is SEVEN DEADLY THORNS, a fairy tale retelling where true love's kiss kills.

Have a listen wherever you get your podcasts!
#WritingCommunity #Podcasts #YA #Romantasy
October 14, 2025 at 2:03 PM
"Make fairy tales gruesome again!"

And while you wait for this episode to draft, you can listen to our previous podcasts on Spotify or wherever else you get your podcasts! We're so freaking excited about this one!
#Podcasts #WritingCommunity #ReadingCommunity #YA
On the next Bad Lit Friends, we’re speaking with Amber Hamilton, author of Seven Deadly Thorns! We were so excited to have Amber be our first interview, and it was an absolute joy speaking with her. Drops Wednesday!
#WritingCommunity #ReadingCommunity #Podcasts #YA
October 10, 2025 at 6:07 PM
NEW EPISODE OF BAD LIT FRIENDS IS UP!

Wherein we talk about writing rules and why every single one of them is complete trash. (not really)

Bad Lit Friends is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever else you get your podcasts!
#WritingCommunity #Podcasts

open.spotify.com/episode/1eMk...
October 8, 2025 at 2:27 PM
HEY #WritingCommunity, NEW EPISODE OF BAD LIT FRIENDS IS UP!!!!

Coming to you live (recorded!) from the RMFW #ColoradoGold conference, held this last weekend. And we're talking about--DUH!--conferences! Have a listen wherever you get your podcasts!

open.spotify.com/episode/0EBW...
Conference Confidential: Rocky Mountain High Anxiety (S01E09)
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October 1, 2025 at 3:44 PM
For next week's Episode 10 (!!!) of Bad Lit Friends, we're asking you: which writing rule makes you irrationally angry?

1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/qRgAqk/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Show, don't tell
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/qRgAqk/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Kill your darlings
3️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/qRgAqk/3" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Write what you know
4️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/qRgAqk/4" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">NO ADVERBS -- NEIN!

📊 Show results
September 30, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Hey #ColoradoGold people! Say hi if you see us this weekend at the #RMFW Colorado Gold Conference! We bite, but only if you ask nicely!
#WritingCommunity
September 26, 2025 at 3:07 PM
BREAKING NEWS

STOP EVERYTHING

New ep of BAD LIT FRIENDS is up! This week, Rylan, Kirk and Meagan talk writer's block (it's real) and how to unlock it, why criticism of performative bookishness tastes a tiny bit like misogyny, and how Faulkner comes off like Elle Woods, but not in a good way.
Writer's Block: When the Words Don't Word Right (S01E08)
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September 24, 2025 at 4:19 PM
We'd like to thank all our hosts, @rytingwithcats.bsky.social, @kirkrafferty.com and @thecrumpet.bsky.social for their sterling service. 🫡 What it's in service of, we're not sure, but we appreciate it nonetheless.
FREE PODCAST TIP:

Recording 2 episodes back to back is a choice. You might be delirious after following a super-sekret interview (!) with 2+ hrs babbling about writer's block & performative bookishness, but it's a choice.

Next ep of @badlitfriends.bsky.social drops next Weds. I make no promises.
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September 20, 2025 at 3:13 PM
@kirkrafferty.com, @thecrumpet.bsky.social, and @rytingwithcats.bsky.social will be at the @rmfwriters.bsky.social Colorado Gold Writers Conference on September 26-28! Please say hi if you see us! Please. We need the validation.

rmfw.org/12-pro-tips-...
Pro Tips for Surviving a Writing Conference
I hate to admit how many writing conferences I’ve attended, as both attendee and speaker. Some might call it an addiction. I call it an essential part of my author journey, where I’ve learned my trade...
rmfw.org
September 18, 2025 at 3:44 PM
New episode of BAD LIT FRIENDS!!!! 💥🔥💥🔥💦

We tackle the dreaded synopsis! Also, more on the Anthropic settlement, and how fanfic is influencing tradpub.

Go get it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!

open.spotify.com/episode/4wio...

#WritingCommunity #amquerying
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September 17, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Episode 7 of BAD LIT FRIENDS drops tomorrow, wherever you get your #podcasts!

Part 2 of our #amquerying series: The Synopsis.

Also, more on the Anthropic settlement and how fanfic is influencing tradpub.

BYOB! (Bring your own books! Or beer! Or bath gel! We're not your boss!)
#WritingCommunity
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September 16, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Reposted by Bad Lit Friends
Episode 7 OF BAD LIT FRIENDS (@badlitfriends.bsky.social) is wrapped! Rylan joins us as co-host, synopsis writing tips from Kirk, & my rant about how Big 5 publishing cannibalizes folk art. Plus my graduate dissertation on the Teletubbies and MOAR Anthropic settlement stuff. Dropping 9/15! #writesky
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September 13, 2025 at 4:52 PM
New Bad Lit Friends is up, wherever you get your podcasts!

In this episode, we talk about SQUIRRELS! No, that's a lie. We talk about query letters. Also the super crappy Anthropic settlement. (yeah, we said it because we're edgy!)
#WritingCommunity #amquerying

open.spotify.com/episode/6Sox...
How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Query Letter (S01E06)
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September 8, 2025 at 4:12 PM
What happens when our producer is out of town and we think we can handle the pod on our own?

Did we talk query letters? The Anthropic settlement?

Did it take our producer 11 HOURS to edit our rambling thoughts? Um...

Find out tomorrow when a very messy Episode 6 of BAD LIT FRIENDS drops!
a woman is talking on a cell phone with the caption " this is like a whole new level of messy "
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September 8, 2025 at 4:35 AM
🎧 NEW Episode of Bad Lit Friends is up!

Meagan & guest co-host Rylan dive into the writing contest industrial complex: real path to publication or just a pricey detour? Plus spilled tea and more! Available now, wherever you get your #podcasts! #WritingCommunity
open.spotify.com/episode/7dW2...
The Writing Contest Industrial Complex (S01E05)
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September 2, 2025 at 2:39 PM
New episode of Bad Lit Friends has dropped! 💥

We all do it. We compare our journeys to those of other writers, and it's hard on the soul. Do we have a solution? No, we do not. But we sure do like to pontificate.

Ep 4 of Bad Lit Friends is available wherever you get your podcasts!
#WritingCommunity
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August 26, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Reposted by Bad Lit Friends
New Bad Lit Friends (@badlitfriends.bsky.social) episode—our FOURTH!—dropping in the morning! We talk the perils, pleasures, and pffffffft of comparing your writing to others, @kirkrafferty.com sounds like he knows what he's talking about, and quite frankly I'm unhinged at times.
a woman says " don t compare yourself to me "
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August 26, 2025 at 6:25 AM
Reposted by Bad Lit Friends
Bad Lit Friends Ep 4 will be a wreck but we know you love that. We discuss: how writing isn’t like knitting & should be like flying a plane; letting the hate flow through you; appalling behavior at writing conferences; & authors who actively despise their readers. #badlitfriends #writingcommunity
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Alt: a blue dumpster with republic written on it on fire and floating down a flooded street.
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August 23, 2025 at 5:10 AM
This sounds... ominous. Or like Meagan's been drinking vodka tonics (splash of Rose's and a twist of lime!) again.

Pray for Bad Lit Friends, the podcast that is trying to rein in one of its co-host's pretentious tendencies. #writesky #writingcommunity #thoughtsandprayers
August 21, 2025 at 5:24 AM