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.

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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