Bad Lit Friends

Bad Lit Friends
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Bad Lit Friends is a writing podcast that barely knows what it's doing. And that’s the point. Hosted by fiction writers Meagan Thompson-Mann and Kirk Rafferty, this show is equal parts craft discussion, existential despair, ego massage, and wildly unsolicited hot takes. Each episode blends honest conversations about the creative process, the publishing industry, and the messiness of trying to create highfalutin art, with hot-and-occasionally-right takes, and a dash of internet drama. If you've ever felt like you're writing into the void, you're not alone — grab a seat, bring your worst draft.

  1. 17 APR

    Algorithmically Yours: How BookTok Ate Reading

    This week we throw BookTok on the pyre. Meagan sacrificed her wholesome cats and makeup tutorials algorithm just to research this episode for you, dear listener. Now it's shadow daddies and Colleen Hoover. You’re welcome! And on Hotgos, we take a swing at Amazon, so we fully expect our packages to be thrown onto the roofs of our domiciles for the foreseeable future. Welcome to Bad Lit Friends. We're glad you're here, even if none of us know what we're doing. Bad Lit Friends was created and is hosted by Meagan Thompson-Mann and Kirk Rafferty. Show email: ⁠⁠badlitfriends@gmail.com⁠⁠ Bluesky: ⁠⁠@badlitfriends.bsky.social⁠⁠ Threads: ⁠⁠@badlitfriends⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠@badlitfriends⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@BadLitFriends⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠badlitfriends.com⁠

    56 min

  2. 10 APR

    Interview with Author Isaac Grijalva

    This week we're talking to author Isaac Grijalva about his debut novel 6 ½ Days in the City, an LGBTQIA contemporary novel about a bisexual, burnt-out EMT who's finally confronting trauma and healing during a life-altering NYC vacation with friends. Isaac shares his experience self-publishing, writing authentic queer representation, balancing EMT work with getting ready to attend medical school (!!!) AND writing, and how he tackles the uncomfortable parts of writing (yes, we're talking about spice, AGAIN). Plus: the importance of found family, panic disorder representation, and why humor really does belong in smutty scenes. Welcome to Bad Lit Friends. We're glad you're here, even if none of us know what we're doing. Bad Lit Friends was created and is hosted by Meagan Thompson-Mann and Kirk Rafferty. Show email: ⁠badlitfriends@gmail.com⁠ Bluesky: ⁠@badlitfriends.bsky.social⁠ Threads: ⁠@badlitfriends⁠ Instagram: ⁠@badlitfriends⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@BadLitFriends⁠ Website: ⁠badlitfriends.com Show Notes: Isaac’s website: https://isaacgrijalvabooks.com/. Buy 6 ½ Days in the City there!  Or if you prefer: https://www.amazon.com/6-1-2-Days-City-ebook/dp/B0F89S9WSG or https://bookshop.org/p/books/6-1-2-days-in-the-city-isaac-grijalva/f46d5f9762f99161?ean=9798994059234&next=t  Isaac’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@readingwithisaac123 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@isaactaylorsversion99  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isaacgrijalvabooks (author account) and https://www.instagram.com/isaactaylorsversion99/ (personal account) Isaac’s reel we talked about around 55:20: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTgbOT4Elfj/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Isaac-Grijalva/61586260524231/#  Stuff we talked about: A Little Bit of Blue - Michelle Alese: https://bookshop.org/p/books/a-little-bit-of-blue-michelle-alese/b4ba101d4b1d9690?ean=9798227978158&next=t  Happy Place - Emily Henry: https://bookshop.org/p/books/happy-place-emily-henry/a3f04cca363ff4ec?ean=9780593441190&next=t  The Perks of Being a Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower-stephen-chbosky/c9bc8abd70dbc67b?ean=9780671027346&next=t  Great Big Beautiful Life - Emily Henry: https://bookshop.org/p/books/great-big-beautiful-life-reese-s-book-club-emily-henry/57d8b57f547bfb34?ean=9780593441299&next=t  We’re hoping GetCovers will give us cash for promoting them but we’re not counting on it! Getcovers.com

    1hr 8min

  3. 3 APR

    Sir, This Is a Wendy's: What Do Writers Owe Readers

    This week on Bad Lit Friends, we tackle the pressing question of what writers actually owe their readers. And sorry, it's not food. After catching up on the ongoing Mia Ballard AI witch hunt and why journalism is dead (and LinkedIn? Are you effing kidding me?), we break down the absolute, nonnegotiable reader expectations that readers expectate. We also explore genre, the necessity of content warnings, and why you should probably rely on a sensitivity reader if you are doing some heavy lifting outside your lane. Also, marvel, as we die from embarrassment, talking about writing spicy scenes (we suck at it; Kirk sucks more). Finally, we unpack some unhinged AO3 fanfiction drama. We exist to remind demanding readers everywhere that writers are not your dancing monkeys, except for when we are. Tune in for all the snark, stay for the questionable takes, and then go home. It's getting late, and you need to feed the cat. Welcome to Bad Lit Friends. We're glad you're here, even if none of us know what we're doing. Bad Lit Friends was created and is hosted by Meagan Thompson-Mann and Kirk Rafferty. Show email: ⁠badlitfriends@gmail.com⁠ Bluesky: ⁠@badlitfriends.bsky.social⁠ Threads: ⁠@badlitfriends⁠ Instagram: ⁠@badlitfriends⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@BadLitFriends⁠ Website: ⁠badlitfriends.com⁠ Show notes: Shy Girl: The Background to the New York Times Story Heated Rivalry fanfic – writers don’t dance because you want them to! Also, heck out gurlsrool’s awesome fics on AO3:

    54 min

  4. 27 MAR

    We Regret to Inform You Everyone Sucks: How Capitalism Brought Us "Shy Girl"

    Ah, capitalism! BLF gets all topical as we dive into the Mia Ballard Shy Girl debacle and spoiler alert: we're not here to pile on Mia. We've got bigger, smellier fish to fry, starting with the Big Five publisher who somehow forgot that editors kinda-sorta are supposed to, like, edit? Oh no, that costs money, so whatevs, we guess. We talk about how Ballard is simultaneously the most and least powerful person in this disaster show, the publishers who hung her out to dry, and the uncomfortable truth about who gets pilloried for literary fraud and who doesn't. Plus we get all intersectional-like as we get SUPER ANGRY about misogyny, racism, classism, and why capitalism is gobbling up artistry to make yet more yacht money. Somehow we're still capitalists, but... watch this space??? Plus in Hot Goss: Some twerp on Substack asserted that it costs $25,000 to successfully query a literary agent and he is awfully and confidently wrong. Not surprising when you come across as having an ego the size of Saturn! Welcome to Bad Lit Friends. We're glad you're here, even if none of us know what we're doing. Bad Lit Friends was created and is hosted by Meagan Thompson-Mann and Kirk Rafferty. Show email: badlitfriends@gmail.com Bluesky: @badlitfriends.bsky.social Threads: @badlitfriends Instagram: @badlitfriends YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BadLitFriends Website: badlitfriends.com Show notes: Shy Girl New York Times (boo hiss -- free link because we love you): https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/19/books/shy-girl-book-ai.html?unlocked_article_code=1.UlA.SBZg.n608mfV3RwdK&smid=url-shareReddit post from r/horrorlit: https://www.reddit.com/r/horrorlit/comments/1q8so32/shy_girl_by_mia_ballard_does_anyone_else_think/Frankie Shelf's 2 hr 40 min video (for those with a lot of time): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbeKTa5xhZoWhyn Lewis's amazing art! https://www.instagram.com/whynlewispaintings/Hot Goss For true connoisseurs of wankerdom only, may we recommend the stylings of Michael O. Church? It costs $25k for a successful query. Okay, Jan. https://antipodes.substack.com/p/yes-it-costs-25000-to-query-literaryMore whining, just earlier, also very wrong: https://antipodes.substack.com/p/literary-agents-dont-read-how-i-proved

    59 min

  5. 21 MAR

    Hot Gos Warmed Over!

    This week we're revisiting some old Hot Gos, and seeing what's changed. Also a new hot gos that we hope to never revisit again because yuck. Welcome to Bad Lit Friends. We’re glad you’re here, even if none of us know what we’re doing. Bad Lit Friends was created and is hosted by Meagan Thompson-Mann and Kirk Rafferty. Show email: badlitfriends@gmail.com Bluesky: @badlitfriends.bsky.social. Threads: @badlitfriends Instagram: @badlitfriends YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BadLitFriends Website: badlitfriends.com Show notes: ALL the Milo Winter! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfKcAoJGR80 youtube.com/watch?v=rWgVsq4igx4&si=dxhoraDJlVdg4s1j https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-Pg93B7dTY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9I_KX_FFw0 Saints and Sinners! https://annalisereads.com/sinners-stardust-2025) Organizers handled this RIGHT – took responsibility and said this won’t happen againWebsite for next event – Boston August 14-16: https://www.sinnersandstardust.com/boston-2026 Event site has a link to a thoughtful and clear code of conduct: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-CqSF31HSogkY1d0rKR8pIsYYl3QY0hr2T4QFyNShBo/edit?tab=t.0 Willow Talks! Episode 17 – BookTuber Willow Talks caught heat when she went off on “romantasy girlies” being “not that bright” https://www.reddit.com/r/booktubesnarkreddit/comments/1p0a508/willow_talks_books_hating_on_romantasy_readers/  Jordan Lee and eating sandwiches at the fascist kids' table Discussed at TOO MUCH LENGTH in this Substack: https://substack.com/home/post/p-172988157 New Hot Gos! The author who dedicated her book to Charlie Kirk and no this wasn’t a troll: https://www.threads.com/@mkm_library/post/DVlrlOWkeWd?xmt=AQF0xNbcng3YiqeighF1NbsYjA3lmWyXO-6DLr5k165TgLYf-XvzuK4aShdq_BGiFAL1arE7&slof=1 But she’s watched so many many hours of Charlie Kirk videos and all those big meanies aren’t understanding how very wrong they are: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVrOSnFEYzp/?img_index=1

    48 min

  6. 13 MAR

    Agent Wish List: What We Wish Literary Agents Would Do Better

    This week, BLF's all about our agent wish list: all the things we wish literary agents would do better. (You're all perfect though! Utterly and thoroughly!) We are back in the trenches (deal with it, PubTips gatekeepers) and ready to tank our author careers before they get started because who doesn't feel like a soupçon of nihilism these days??? We have SO MANY THOUGHTS about query forms, submission pipelines, communication gaps, and why the *%#! are we still doing partials in 2026 when no one sends physical manuscripts anymore? We discuss streamlining query requirements, the importance of updating MSWLs (help us help you!), closing to queries occasionally, and the eternal mystery of "why did you query this agency?" We also turn the mirror on ourselves and talk about what writers can (gulp) do better. Because—shocker!— we're not perfect either. Well, sometimes we are, but it's good to be humble. PLUS Hot Goss about Grammarly's new AI "expert review" feature that let dead authors critique your work (!!!). Nobody asked for this who wasn't being paid to sell it! Also: sex dolls somehow came up and we're very sorry. Sort of. Welcome to Bad Lit Friends. We’re glad you’re here, even if none of us know what we’re doing. Bad Lit Friends was created and is hosted by Meagan Thompson-Mann and Kirk Rafferty. Show email: badlitfriends@gmail.com Bluesky: @badlitfriends@bsky.social. Threads: @badlitfriends Instagram: @badlitfriends YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BadLitFriends Website: badlitfriends.com Show notes: HOOOO BOY GRAMMARLY! : https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/890921/grammarly-ai-expert-reviews  Since we recorded, Grammarly has walked this revolting “function” all the way back after authors, researchers, and users revolted but does this wash the sin away? My sources (bashed up Magic 8-Ball, common sense, and my vague recollection of California privacy torts law) say NO: https://www.wired.com/story/grammarly-is-facing-a-class-action-lawsuit-over-its-ai-expert-review-feature/

    1hr 1min

  7. 6 MAR

    Please Hate Me: Social Media For Writers

    In this episode, we explore the complex landscape of social media and why it's all evil evil evil. We talk about our own personal experiences with social media, going all the way back to the halcyon days of Usenet, MySpace, and forums, because we are oooold. HOT GOS: Should you refuse to read in a genre, write a book in that genre, and then crap all over the genre? The answer may surprise you! Welcome to Bad Lit Friends. We’re glad you’re here, even if none of us know what we’re doing. Bad Lit Friends was created and is hosted by Meagan Thompson-Mann and Kirk Rafferty. Show email: badlitfriends@gmail.com Bluesky: @badlitfriends@bsky.social. Threads: @badlitfriends Instagram: @badlitfriends YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BadLitFriends Website: badlitfriends.com Show notes: You can hear more about Print Run Podcast's $100 query deal to benefit Open Market at the Zion Community Commons here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0NRCvMqEBJXYUkHvTi2DC6

    1 hr

  8. 27 FEB

    Kill All the Darlings: The Art and Agonies of Shelving a Book (S02E07)

    What's in your boneyard? This week we're talking about shelf novels, not-ready-for-primetime attempts, and all those beautiful disasters collecting dust in your Scrivener files. Join us as we confess to our abandoned manuscripts (Kirk's got a fantasy novel about Irish legends, Meagan's got EIGHT BOOKS in something called "the Melaverse"), discuss why sometimes quitters CAN be winners, and consider whether some books only exist to teach you how to write the next one. (Hmmmm, maybe??) PLUS Hot Goss: authors should be allowed to talk about their rejection letters in public as long as they're not being dickish when spilling tea, more on the power dynamics between writers and agents, and why the algorithm on Threads will absolutely make you the main character when you least expect it so, uh, don't be a dick? Welcome to Bad Lit Friends. We’re glad you’re here, even if none of us know what we’re doing. Bad Lit Friends was created and is hosted by Meagan Thompson-Mann and Kirk Rafferty. Show email: badlitfriends@gmail.com Bluesky: @badlitfriends@bsky.social. Threads: @badlitfriends Instagram: @badlitfriends YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BadLitFriends Website: badlitfriends.com Show notes: The Shit No One Tells You About Writing podcast (yes, yes, we know we bungled the name of an amazing podcast that we both listen to so you think we'd know better but NO): https://www.theshitaboutwriting.com/

    53 min
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About

Bad Lit Friends is a writing podcast that barely knows what it's doing. And that’s the point. Hosted by fiction writers Meagan Thompson-Mann and Kirk Rafferty, this show is equal parts craft discussion, existential despair, ego massage, and wildly unsolicited hot takes. Each episode blends honest conversations about the creative process, the publishing industry, and the messiness of trying to create highfalutin art, with hot-and-occasionally-right takes, and a dash of internet drama. If you've ever felt like you're writing into the void, you're not alone — grab a seat, bring your worst draft.

Information

  • Creator
    Bad Lit Friends
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Bad Lit Friends
  • Show Website
    Bad Lit Friends

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