Writers Behaving Badly Podcast

On this episode of Writers Behaving Badly: We are all winners this month and Kerryn is back to join us in behaving badly, and she brings some juicy tea. The Write Advice sees Lisa and Kerryn discuss how to give good feedback and what it looks like to adapt your novel around the feedback you’re getting. Segments Inside: ✍️ Sins & Wins All winners here, baby! 📚 The Write Advice Feedback advice with Lisa and Kerryn. ☕️ Tea Time Writers Behaving Badly on this episode! 📚 Book Bites What we’ve been reading this month: The Things We Never Say, In Plain Site, Billie King, Everything Was Beautiful And Nothing Hurt and Cold River Our next Badly Behaved Write-Along is Tuesday, September 15th! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersbehavingbadly.substack.com/subscribe

On this episode of Writers Behaving Badly: We have happy sad news and the most insane tea - listen out for Brooke wheezing through it as she attempts to entertain Lisa with tea around celebrity authors. The Write Advice talks scams, how diabolical they are becoming and what to look out for as a newbie, indi or published author being targeted. Segments Inside: ✍️ Sins & Wins A little bit of winning and a little bit of swinning. Write-Along shout outs. 📚 The Write Advice We cover new scams that are being sent to aspiring, emerging, independent and established authors and what red flags to look out for if you get one. ☕️ Tea Time Possibly the most unhinged tea we’ve had on the show… 📚 Book Bites What we’ve been reading this month: Little House in the Big Woods, Dungeon Crawler Carl, The Name Game, The Time After Now and Save the Cat Writes a Novel Our next Badly Behaved Write-Along is Wednesday August 12! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersbehavingbadly.substack.com/subscribe

On this episode of Writers Behaving Badly: Annie’s still on a break and Lisa and Brooke are joined by guests Anne Freeman and Casey Nott. Brooke asks the panel, “What makes the perfect author talk?” and is met with some excellent advice from the authors. Plus: Anne spills some personal tea! What You’ll Learn: How to generate author events Ways to make yourself irresistible to event organisers How not to make yourself renowned for all the wrong reasons! Segments Inside: ✍️ Sins & Wins The winners’ circle is pretty crowded this week. Brooke gets a new look and Lisa makes some big calls re deadlines. 📚 The Write Advice Anne and Casey dish the dirt on what makes a great author talk. (We’d love to hear your take on hits and misses for author events – what do you love and what makes you yawn?) ☕️ Tea Time Anne falls for Casey during a personal tea time confession Got some writing tea to spill? Leave us a comment 😊 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersbehavingbadly.substack.com/subscribe

On this episode of Writers Behaving Badly : Annie's on a break and Lisa and Brooke are joined by guest host Kerryn Mayne. The crew is gaining momentum on their writing goals (as are our fabulous write-alongers) and inching closer to finished manuscripts. Kerryn and Lisa debate a top US Agent's writing advice (don't submit too early) and Kerryn confesses to being rejected by the same agent (and tells us why). Plus we spill the tea on authors in disguise! What You'll Learn: How to know when your manuscript is 'done' That it's okay to lean into your book's mysteries Segments Inside: ✍️ Sins & Wins Lisa and Brooke explain 'swinning' to guest host Kerryn Mayne. Brooke is stumped by her own mystery clues and Kerryn wonders if 'solving' the clues is actually...required? And the Write-Along crew are winning all over! 📚 The Write Advice The team respond to a post from a top US agent about the biggest mistake writers make...submitting a book too early. Do you agree? ☕️ Tea Time Authors in disguise? We chat famous author pseudonyms and how far you'd go to keep your work life and your writing life seperate... Got some writing tea to spill? Leave us a comment 😊 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersbehavingbadly.substack.com/subscribe

On this episode of Writers Behaving Badly : Brooke’s manuscript is in the hot seat with feedback from Lisa. The crew are smashing their own different writing goals (and we get a look at Brooke’s incredible typing speed). We share our book recommendations (controversy?) and Brooke spills the tea on embarrassing herself at a recent author event for Casey Nott book launch! What You'll Learn: What it looks like when humour and spice hit exactly the right notes Why sometimes the best thing you can do for your writing is quit other things How to handle awkward writing conversations Segments Inside: ✍️ Sins & Wins The crew are (mostly) winning with Brooke absolutely nailing her writing retreat time! 📚 The Write Advice Brooke reads her manuscript and it has us laughing (and wanting to read more). Lisa provides some very specific advice (you’ll want to hear her take). ☕️ Tea Time Brooke tells us all about her verbal spew at a recent book launch…to a room full of published writers 🫢 Got some writing tea to spill? Leave us a comment 😊 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersbehavingbadly.substack.com/subscribe

On this episode of Writers Behaving Badly : Brooke’s manuscript finally gets a name and we are squealing at it! Lisa and Annie find wins amongst the chaos and why editing your manuscript can sometimes feel like cutting a bad fringe… Our write-along crew are smashing their writing goals and vibing off each other’s word counts (hello, accountability!)…we’re looking at you Athena writing an entire short story in an hour!! And we tackle AI accusations…are they the new witch hunt? Plus: We share some writing hot takes inspired by Victoria Wlosok @xvictoriawrites on Instragram . What You'll Learn: Why getting published can be easier than staying published. Why your manuscript is not your baby. How to think critically about AI accusations in publishing. Segments Inside: ✍️ Sins & Wins Brooke has a breakthrough on her story and her title. Lisa embraces a planned ‘slow’ writing month whilst still showing up for write-alongs (she never truly puts her pen down). Annie goes full historian mode, deep-diving into Queensland history and clocking up 5000+ words…but nothing on her actual manuscript. 📚 The Write Advice Inspired xvictoriawrites on Instagram, Lisa unpacks three hard truths about publishing: Getting published is easier than staying published. Your friends don’t really care about your writing. Your book is not your baby. Lisa brings industry insight, honesty, and a few gentle reality checks. ☕️ Tea Time Rant We dig into the controversy around AI allegations in publishing, sparked by discourse around the novel Shy Girl . Are AI allegations the new witch hunt? Got some writing tea to spill? Leave us a comment 😊 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersbehavingbadly.substack.com/subscribe

On this episode of Writers Behaving Badly : Brooke, Lisa and Annie tackle the heavy vibes of 2026 with podcasting joy and a new format. We’re folding in the cheese for our new segment (please leave a comment to help us give it a title), getting inspo at the traffic lights (hello, motorcycle man 👋) and writing through the horrors that are modern life. Plus: We discuss some truly unhinged writing advice from Stephen King…and will Brooke ever forgive Lisa for killing off Nana Lil? What You'll Learn: Why finishing a ‘bad draft’ can leave you with golden nuggets How to write in the face of existential dread What we’re reading to keep our book brains fed and happy! Segments Inside: ✍️ Sins & Wins Lisa declares herself a ‘swinner’, Brooke breaks a writing slump with a sneaky sideways glance at the traffic lights and Annie discusses what life as a working historian means for her writing. 📚 OUR UNNAMED SEGMENT? How do you write in the face of existential dread ? No, really? The horrors may persist but so do we! Learn why Lisa is genuinely looking forward to the art that comes out of this period in time...and why, no matter what, you should keep making it. 🍵 Tea Time Rant 1, 2, 3, 4, 5…everybody in the car and come on let’s write! Stephen King’s weird writing advice we just have to talk about . Got some writing tea to spill? Leave us a comment 😊 Our next Badly Behaved Write-Along is on Wednesday 25th February @ 7:30pm Melbourne Time. Come and join us! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersbehavingbadly.substack.com/subscribe

On this episode of Writers Behaving Badly : Brooke, Lisa and Annie tackle the heavy vibes of 2026 with podcasting joy and a new format. We’re folding in the cheese for our new segment (please leave a comment to help us give it a title), getting inspo at the traffic lights (hello, motorcycle man 👋) and writing through the horrors that are modern life. Plus: We discuss some truly unhinged writing advice from Stephen King…and will Brooke ever forgive Lisa for killing off Nana Lil? What You'll Learn: Why finishing a ‘bad draft’ can leave you with golden nuggets How to write in the face of existential dread What we’re reading to keep our book brains fed and happy! Segments Inside: ✍️ Sins & Wins Lisa declares herself a ‘swinner’, Brooke breaks a writing slump with a sneaky sideways glance at the traffic lights and Annie discusses what life as a working historian means for her writing. 📚 OUR UNNAMED SEGMENT? How do you write in the face of existential dread ? No, really? The horrors may persist but so do we! Learn why Lisa is genuinely looking forward to the art that comes out of this period in time...and why, no matter what, you should keep making it. 🍵 Tea Time Rant 1, 2, 3, 4, 5…everybody in the car and come on let’s write! Stephen King’s weird writing advice we just have to talk about . Got some writing tea to spill? Leave us a comment 😊 Our next Badly Behaved Write-Along is on Wednesday 25th February @ 7:30pm Melbourne Time. Come and join us! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersbehavingbadly.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Writers Behaving Badly : It’s the season two finale! Annie, Brooke, and Lisa wrap up a year of literary chaos with bread, burnout, and breakthroughs. Lisa digs deep for one final curly question and Brooke delivers the Footballer’s Baby conception scene…(almost)… Plus: The knitting community comes for Hank Green in a thread war for the ages… What You'll Learn: The difference between a supportive beta reader and a confidence killer How to give feedback that doesn’t make someone quit writing forever Why “being kind” isn’t the same as “lying” Segments Inside: ✍️ Sins & Wins Lisa inches closer to ‘the end’ while Brooke and Annie creep further away… 🔥 Roast or Toast Brooke gives us what we’ve asked for…the Footballer’s Baby is finally conceived… 📚 Curly Question How do you find a Beta Reader…but more importantly, how do you give good feedback without crushing a writer’s spirit? Lisa shares her wisdom. 🍵 Tea Time Rant Hank Green vs. the knitters: when socks are undervalued, and sexism enters the chat. Annie brings the chaos; Brooke tries not to choke on her tea. Are we cancelled? Afraid knot… Our next Badly Behaved Write-Along is on Tuesday 28th October @ 8:00pm. Come and join us! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersbehavingbadly.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Writers Behaving Badly : We’re back with New York Times bestselling author Sally Hepworth for Part Two of our rollicking chat. Sally dishes on the realities of social media (hint: don’t waste time building a platform before you’ve written the book), resilience in the face of one-star reviews, and the myth-busting advice every aspiring author needs to hear. She also spills some tea on a library event with Lisa that went hilariously sideways—complete with Maud heckling from the front row… Plus: Lisa can’t take an ugly photo of Sally (no matter how hard she tries), and Brooke yells the F-word directly into Sally’s face. You couldn’t script it if you tried. Follow Sally Hepworth on Substack 😊 Pre-order Mad Mabel What You'll Learn: Why social media can wait until you’ve actually written the book. How to find (and keep) your voice online without hating it. The art of laughing at one-star reviews (including Rhonda’s epic takedown). Why every writer needs resilience and a good sense of humour. Our next Badly Behaved Write-Along is on Tuesday 23rd September @ 7:30pm. Come and join us! (We’ll be announcing more end of year dates shortly 😊) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersbehavingbadly.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Writers Behaving Badly : It’s our very first live, in-person episode —recorded in Sydney with questionable tech, maximum chaos, and at least one snort that may or may not become a sound effect. Brooke fights through a new-job writing slump, Lisa produces her award-winning early manuscript for listening pleasure and Annie gets distracted by a 90s inspired dream. There’s a dramatic reading, a curly question about beta readers and tea that makes us wonder if Malcolm Turnbull has a Google alert on his name (or DMs are open…) What You'll Learn: Why you can’t follow ‘the shinies’ Why it’s easier to write the 60s How your early work forms part of your writing journey (even if you think it’s cringe) The right time to send your work to beta readers Segments Inside: ✍️ Sins & Wins It’s an in-person confession time with one of our writers ending up in the sin-bin while the other two just scrape over the line. 🔥 Roast or Toast Lisa’s Strictly Business gets a dramatic group reading—tampons, talismans, and a groom with cold feet. Instead of a brutal roast, it sparks nostalgia, trope talk (“touch her and die”), and Brooke’s so in love with the hero she makes Lisa blush. 📚 Curly Question When is the right time to send your manuscript to a beta reader? Lisa explains what is ‘too early’ and how to know if you’re really ready for feedback. 🍵 Tea Time Rant A viral reel sparks debate: can you judge someone by the books on their shelf? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersbehavingbadly.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Writers Behaving Badly : Season Two kicks off with triple wins! Brooke discovers the power of horny ghosts, Lisa finds her character voice (and an accountability partner who doesn't mess around), and Annie reclaims her historical heroine's agency. Plus, we debut Brooke's very first novel—complete with mysterious football jerseys and a dubious hall-of-fame. What You'll Learn: How to move past "am I saying anything important?" by focusing on what you do well—fun genres matter too! How accountability partners can transform your writing momentum Why research matters even in contemporary fiction (looking at you, football scenes) The truth about first chapter "rules" and why most of them are nonsense Segments Inside: ✍️ Sins & Wins For once, we're all winning! Creative breakthroughs, voice discoveries, and 30,000 words in a month. 🔥 Roast or Toast Brooke reads from The Footballer's Baby —her genre-bending debut featuring NRL/soccer/gridiron confusion and generic farms. Lisa delivers the ultimate writing lesson: great storytelling transcends factual accuracy, but research still matters. 📚 Curly Question We tackle the TikTok writing advice rabbit hole and why those endless "must-have" lists might be killing your creativity. 🍵 Tea Time Rant The ethics of true crime publishing—why the rush to capitalise on tragedy raises serious questions about victim-centred storytelling and responsible journalism. Our first Badly Behaved Write-Along is on Tuesday 12th August @ 7:30pm. Come and join us! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersbehavingbadly.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Writers Behaving Badly : We’re back with New York Times bestselling author Sally Hepworth for Part Two of our rollicking chat. Sally dishes on the realities of social media (hint: don’t waste time building a platform before you’ve written the book), resilience in the face of one-star reviews, and the myth-busting advice every aspiring author needs to hear. She also spills some tea on a library event with Lisa that went hilariously sideways—complete with Maud heckling from the front row… Plus: Lisa can’t take an ugly photo of Sally (no matter how hard she tries), and Brooke yells the F-word directly into Sally’s face. You couldn’t script it if you tried. Follow Sally Hepworth on Substack 😊 Pre-order Mad Mabel What You'll Learn: Why social media can wait until you’ve actually written the book. How to find (and keep) your voice online without hating it. The art of laughing at one-star reviews (including Rhonda’s epic takedown). Why every writer needs resilience and a good sense of humour. Our next Badly Behaved Write-Along is on Tuesday 23rd September @ 7:30pm. Come and join us! (We’ll be announcing more end of year dates shortly 😊) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersbehavingbadly.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Writers Behaving Badly : We welcome New York Times bestselling author Sally Hepworth! She joins us to chat about her incredible career, from the book that changed everything ( The Mother-in-Law ) to billboard moments in Bourke Street Mall, optioned screen adaptations, and why resilience beats luck every time. She also confesses to once dictating Lisa’s plotting process with a stack of index cards (but she might have won that argument in the end 👀) Plus: Sally and Brooke bond over ‘town water’… This week’s write-along winners 🏆👏 Kylie Casey Erin Cath P Cath G Linda Lucinda Sue Ann Athena What You'll Learn: How to write (and survive) through personal upheaval. The role of consistency in building a career and a brand. How it’s okay to experiment with process. How to handle bad reviews, awkward encounters, and emails from Estelle in Wisconsin. Segments Inside: ✍️ Sins & Wins Lisa smugly climbs back on the podium with scene cards in hand, Brooke battles the corporate commute, Annie claims ‘it’s all sinny in Philadelphia’ and our community of writers bring their A-game to the page. 📚 Author Interview – Sally Hepworth Part One From resilience to screen adaptations and The Mother-in-Law changing everything—Sally tells us the truth about publishing highs and lows, her flexible process, and why the most successful authors often struggle the most to give writing advice… Our next Badly Behaved Write-Along is on Tuesday 23rd September @ 7:30pm. Come and join us! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersbehavingbadly.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Writers Behaving Badly : The hosts sin in varying degrees (and one of them blames it on their husband 👀). Brooke dusts off her shiny flirtation of a manuscript, Bad Boy Lessons and is given Lisa’s toughest roast yet. We tackle a curly question on story complexity versus depth and spill the tea on a Bookstagrammer who admitted to pirating books… Plus: Hotel hijinks, write-along confessions, and Lisa pushes the GCM…again 😉 What You'll Learn: How to tell if your story is truly complex, or just unnecessarily complicated Why depth (not endless subplots) is what keeps readers hooked Practical ways to strengthen character voice so readers fall in love with your hero Segments Inside: ✍️ Sins & Wins Brooke confesses to a zero-word week (saved only by a memoir client), Lisa manages a chaotic small number of words (and blames her husband), and Annie keeps her manuscript alive thanks to write-alongs. 🔥 Roast or Toast Brooke dusts off “Bad Boy Lessons” for Lisa’s critique. Cue hair plugs, gold teeth, and a neighbour with a ficus—and a whole lot of banter. 📚 Curly Question Is your novel too complicated—or not deep enough? We unpack Michael Hauge’s advice and revisit Pride and Prejudice to explore why simple stories endure. 🍵 Tea Time A bookstagrammer recently confessed to pirating books she reviews…we spill the tea. Our next Badly Behaved Write-Along is on Tuesday 9th September @ 7:30pm. Come and join us! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersbehavingbadly.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Writers Behaving Badly : We interview the incredible and hilarious Tess Woods about her publishing journey (and why she almost quit for good…). Seriously she wrote her first novel in three days! The collective writing vibes were buzzing at write-along and we delivered a room full of winners and Tess spills part two of her embarrassing publishing encounters… This week’s write-along winners 🏆👏 Casey, Sue Ann, Belinda, Tanya, Helen, Erin, Simone, Lucinda, Athena, Kylie Plus: Brooke’s questionable Googles, ghosts in the podcast and Tess Woods is keeping ACTUAL receipts. What You'll Learn: Why rejection doesn’t mean your writing career is over How to spot feedback worth taking on (and what to ignore) Why “overnight success” can take a long time The brutal highs and lows of publishing (and why resilience is everything) Segments Inside: ✍️ Sins & Wins Lisa has been smited…smit…smut? by the gods for bragging about her manuscript, Annie is only getting words down during write-alongs but still keeping the wheels turning and Brooke typed so fast her keyboard was smoking…also, do Irishmen stomp? 📚 Author Interview - Tess Woods Tess on rejections, burnout, and clawing her way back to bestseller lists. Plus, the truth about publishing competition and why resilience beats talent every time. 🍵 Tea Time Confession Tess Woods spills the tea part two! Another awkward encounter to help you realise you’re not alone mortifying yourself in the publishing industry. Our next Badly Behaved Write-Along is on Tuesday 9th September @ 7:30pm. Come and join us! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersbehavingbadly.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Writers Behaving Badly : Lisa smashes through her word count goal and we all feel confident this book is going to get finished, Brooke unleashes the horniest ghost in literary history, and Annie gets lost in falconry research (spoiler: no actual falcon purchased…yet). We debate whether prologues are brilliant or pointless fluff, dive deeper on publishing pay, and hear how bestselling author Tess Woods once mistook a literary legend for a random dinner guest. Plus: Sweet pepper perfume, ball sweat chit-chat, and Brooke’s shocking “Footballer’s Baby” edit nearly gives Lisa a heart attack. What You'll Learn: * Why months of “failed” drafts can be the secret to writing momentum * The brutal truth about publishing advances and why most writers don’t earn a living wage * When to cut your precious prologue (and when to let it stay) Segments Inside: ✍️ Sins & Wins Lisa blitzes thousands of words, Brooke nails her 5k-a-week rewrite goal (horny ghost included), and Annie coins a new term: “swinning” (sinning + winning). 🔥 Roast or Toast The gang debates whether Annie’s moody prologue is a stroke of genius or just pretty words destined for the bin. 📚 Curly Question We tackle the money talk: advances, earning out, and why most Aussie authors can’t quit their day jobs. Lisa breaks down the numbers and the myths. 🍵 Tea Time Confession Bestselling author Tess Woods spills the tea on a time she embarrassed herself at a literary event… Our next Badly Behaved Write-Along is on Tuesday 26th August @ 7:30pm. Come and join us! Got a sin to confess? Tell us your worst writing sin of the week in the comments—did you out-bad us? Catch up on the last episode 👇 Did you miss the last episode where Kylie Orr got real on publishing realities (and royalties)? Check it out... This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersbehavingbadly.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Writers Behaving Badly : Lisa smashes through her word count goal and we all feel confident this book is going to get finished, Brooke unleashes the horniest ghost in literary history, and Annie gets lost in falconry research (spoiler: no actual falcon purchased…yet). We debate whether prologues are brilliant or pointless fluff, dive deeper on publishing pay, and hear how bestselling author Tess Woods once mistook a literary legend for a random dinner guest. Plus: Sweet pepper perfume, ball sweat chit-chat, and Brooke’s shocking “Footballer’s Baby” edit nearly gives Lisa a heart attack. What You'll Learn: Why months of “failed” drafts can be the secret to writing momentum The brutal truth about publishing advances and why most writers don’t earn a living wage When to cut your precious prologue (and when to let it stay) Segments Inside: ✍️ Sins & Wins Lisa blitzes thousands of words, Brooke nails her 5k-a-week rewrite goal (horny ghost included), and Annie coins a new term: “swinning” (sinning + winning). 🔥 Roast or Toast The gang debates whether Annie’s moody prologue is a stroke of genius or just pretty words destined for the bin. 📚 Curly Question We tackle the money talk: advances, earning out, and why most Aussie authors can’t quit their day jobs. Lisa breaks down the numbers and the myths. 🍵 Tea Time Confession Bestselling author Tess Woods spills the tea on a time she embarrassed herself at a literary event… Our next Badly Behaved Write-Along is on Tuesday 26th August @ 7:30pm. Come and join us! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersbehavingbadly.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Writers Behaving Badly : We wrap our very first Badly Behaved Write-Along with zero sinners and a podium full of winners. Brooke hypes strangers for cash (yes, really), Lisa steam-trains past 50k words, and Annie survives strict homework and a new fringe. We’re also joined by bestselling author Kylie Orr who spills on the seven-year slog to her debut and why “show, don’t tell” is terrible advice. Finally, Tea Time serves up an AI-authored publishing disaster and one man’s pitch to turn his marriage into a threesome—with a chatbot. What You'll Learn: How write-alongs and accountability partners can supercharge your writing progress Why “hope and grit” often matter more than talent in publishing The truth about money in the book biz (and managing your expectations) When to ignore “show, don’t tell Segments Inside: ✍️ Sins & Wins Write-Along champs smashing word counts, rediscovering the stories they love, and nailing second drafts. SHOUTOUT TO: Catherine, Simone, Kylie, Erin, Catherine and all our wonderful paid supporters. Thank you! 📚 Author Interview - Kylie Orr Kylie on rejections, two-book deals, and learning to let go of a manuscript. Plus the best and worst writing advice she’s ever had. 🍵 Tea Time Rant AI prompts left in the published book and the saga of the man who wanted his chatbot to be the other woman. Also, we send some love to Victoria Aveyard- go follow her for another author standing up for writing rights. Our next Badly Behaved Write-Along is on Tuesday 26th August @ 7:30pm. Come and join us! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersbehavingbadly.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Writers Behaving Badly : Season Two kicks off with triple wins! Brooke discovers the power of horny ghosts, Lisa finds her character voice (and an accountability partner who doesn't mess around), and Annie reclaims her historical heroine's agency. Plus, we debut Brooke's very first novel—complete with mysterious football jerseys and a dubious hall-of-fame. What You'll Learn: How to move past "am I saying anything important?" by focusing on what you do well—fun genres matter too! How accountability partners can transform your writing momentum Why research matters even in contemporary fiction (looking at you, football scenes) The truth about first chapter "rules" and why most of them are nonsense Segments Inside: ✍️ Sins & Wins For once, we're all winning! Creative breakthroughs, voice discoveries, and 30,000 words in a month. 🔥 Roast or Toast Brooke reads from The Footballer's Baby —her genre-bending debut featuring NRL/soccer/gridiron confusion and generic farms. Lisa delivers the ultimate writing lesson: great storytelling transcends factual accuracy, but research still matters. 📚 Curly Question We tackle the TikTok writing advice rabbit hole and why those endless "must-have" lists might be killing your creativity. 🍵 Tea Time Rant The ethics of true crime publishing—why the rush to capitalise on tragedy raises serious questions about victim-centred storytelling and responsible journalism. Our first Badly Behaved Write-Along is on Tuesday 12th August @ 7:30pm. Come and join us! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersbehavingbadly.substack.com/subscribe