With Kirk away on vacation, Meagan is joined by producer (and guest co-host) Rylan for a deep dive into the writing contest industrial complex.

Are contests a legitimate path to publication, or just an expensive detour filled with dashed hopes and black-box judging? Together they compare notes on entering contests, from quarter-finalist laurels to anthology publications, and debate whether the deadlines, feedback, and visibility are worth the fees, or if it’s all just a money pit.

Also: the joys and pains of adapting screenplays into novels, the tea-fueled glamour of Australian book launches, and this week’s Hot Goss: when a querying author’s Twitter misstep spirals into internet drama and unlikely allies.

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. This episode is guest co-hosted by Rylan Rafferty. Our Producer is Rylan Rafferty.

Show email: badlitfriends@gmail.com

Bluesky: @badlitfriends.bsky.social
Threads: @badlitfriends
Instagram: @badlitfriends

Show notes:

What Makes a Great First Page of a Novel: https://gutsygreatnovelist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/What-Makes-a-Great-First-Page-of-a-Novel-.pdf

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  Gutsy Great Novelist Page One Prize guidelines: https://www.thegutsygreatnovelist.com/page-one-prize

  
  

  Mind’s Shine Bright Confidence II Anthology: https://www.mindsshinebright.com