Debut novelist Olivia Muenter joins Book Gang to discuss her hit debut, Such a Bad Influence, and the dark side of online fame in her real and imagined worlds.

What happens when your child becomes famous? In Such a Bad Influence, Olivia Muenter pulls back the curtain on the innocent early days of a fictional family's online moment that went viral, to later reveal the insidious nature of the influencer era when fame and fortune find them.

A self-described "recovering influencer," Olivia shares how her debut became a sharp, emotional page-turner and the ways her work as an influencer tied into her more complicated truths in this mixed media thriller.

In this revealing conversation, we discuss:

📚 Unlearning the Influencer Mindset – Olivia shares what it really means to be a "recovering influencer," the habits that were hardest to break, and how her social media past shaped her storytelling voice.

📚 Choosing an Independent Path with Quirk Books – Olivia shares why partnering with a boutique publisher was the right fit for her debut, from the creative freedom it offered to the close-knit collaboration that helped Such a Bad Influence find its perfect audience.

📚 The Hidden Cost of Kid Influencing – Olivia discusses the unsettling realities of children growing up online to create family content and explores how she used her unsent newsletters to craft a mixed media experience for readers, illustrating the struggles long after the cameras stop rolling.

📚 BONUS BOOK LIST: Don't miss this week's fun companion book, 18 influencer books that are as unputdownable as your favorite feed.  Patrons will also receive today's printable checklist to take on their next visit to the library.

Meet Olivia Muenter

Olivia Muenter is a writer, reader, and the co-host of the Bad on Paper podcast. Her first novel, Such A Bad Influence was an instant USA Today Best Seller. Her second novel, Little One, will be published in 2026.

A former fashion & beauty editor and freelance writer, Olivia's work has been published in Glamour, Byrdie, Bustle, Brides, Health.com, Philadelphia Magazine, and more. You can find her most personal writing via her weekly newsletter, where she shares about her life, her work, and everything in between.

Mentioned in this episode:

Download Today's Show Transcript

NEW BOOK LIST: 18 Page-Turning Influencer Books

Join the October Book Club on 10/24 at 8 PM ET (Diavola by Jennifer Thorne)

Such a Bad Influence by Olivia Muenter

Bad On Paper Podcast

Little One by Olivia Muenter

Shark Heart by Emily Habeck

How Shark Heart Transformed Emily Habeck and Her Readers

Bad Influence

Improve Your Reading Memory and Focus

I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jenette McCurdy

Bookshop.org pays a 10% commission on every sale and matches it with 10% to support independent bookstores.

Connect With Us:

Join the Book Gang Patreon

Connect with Olivia Muenter on Instagram or her Website

Connect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdvice

Get My Happy List Newsletter

Get the Daily Kindle Deals Newsletter