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: ⁠[email protected]⁠

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: