In this episode, we dive into the oft-dreaded topic of comparison titles, or 'comps,' which are essential for writers looking to query agents. We talk about the importance of comps in understanding market placement and how they can help writers articulate their book's unique qualities. We also discuss finding appropriate comps, the pitfalls of choosing titles that are either too obscure or too popular, and the nuances of crafting a compelling query letter that includes these comparisons.

In Hot Goss, we opine on the very real and true meaning of friendship: buy my book, or you're dead to me.

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: badlitfriends@gmail.com

Bluesky: @badlitfriends@bsky.social.

Threads: @badlitfriends

Instagram: @badlitfriends

Website: badlitfriends.com

We’re back for Season Two, huzzah! And we’re literally starting at the beginning. Also figuratively.

This time around, we dig into why first pages matter so much, and how they so often go sideways. We talk genre expectations, the great prologue debate, and what actually hooks readers (and agents) from page one. Along the way, we share hard-earned lessons, favorite examples from popular books, and practical tips for handling backstory, recycling cut material, and finding solid comp titles.

If you’ve ever stared at your opening chapter and wondered “is this working?”, this one’s for you.

AND! Hot gos! We get into a recent TikTok literary-agent controversy and how very dare them. (Note: The agent in question has since apologized. We recorded this before the apology, but we were happy to see it.)

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: badlitfriends@gmail.com

Bluesky: @badlitfriends@bsky.social.

Threads: @badlitfriends

Instagram: @badlitfriends

Website: badlitfriends.com

SHOW NOTES:

https://www.threads.com/@sam_evans_writer/post/DTLI1zxDr-c?xmt=AQF01R3hOo-jWVjeCoNdYE57ZY0YqfYJVlXulhjiuFvpOFOOxkzc6lCFHmBScGk4hGMtyHo&slof=1

https://www.tiktok.com/@kelly.j.jones19/video/7592298629696670998?_r=1&_t=ZP-92sMcQXqMXP

https://www.reddit.com/r/PubTips/comments/1q8p74o/discussion_what_are_your_thoughts_on_agents/?share_id=6f_NKJqCbHvGFkEPNeYqD&utm_content=1&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_source=share&utm_term=17

BAD LIT FRIENDS FIRST ANNUAL HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA!!!

We were going to take the week off, but then a publisher was VERY WRONG on the internetz and… well. Surprise! Consider this a late holiday season present from Kirk and Meagan because who doesn’t like a little bit of legal analysis while they eat their weight in Danish butter cookies?

This episode is all Hot Goss, Contract Law Edition as we dig into the Shadowlight Press litRPG contract that’s been circulating online, why it’s so monumentally appalling, why publishers shouldn’t include Rickrolls on their websites, and what this contract can teach you about reading publishing agreements before you sign anything. We also talk litRPG as a genre, Shadowlight’s not-so-great public response to the kerfuffle, and the bigger takeaway: if a contract makes you feel like you’re being seduced into an author’s penal colony, maybe don’t do that.

Listener note: no episode on January 9th so we can have a tiny rest. We’re back on January 16, 2026 with Season Two (wut) of BAD LIT FRIENDS.

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: badlitfriends@gmail.com

Bluesky: @badlitfriends.bsky.social

Threads: @badlitfriends

Instagram: @badlitfriends

Website: badlitfriends.com

SHOW NOTES:

Writer Beware, “Why These Contract Clauses Are Scary”: https://writerbeware.blog/2025/12/19/why-these-contract-clauses-are-scary/

Reddit post in r/ProgressionFantasy, “PSA: Shadow Light Press Contract” (12/16/25): https://www.reddit.com/r/ProgressionFantasy/comments/1poe338/psa_shadow_light_press_contract/

Follow up Reddit post by Shadow Light Press in r/ProgressionFantasy, “Shadow Light Press - Update” (12/19/25): https://www.reddit.com/r/ProgressionFantasy/comments/1pppp7l/shadow_light_press_update/

Editorial Freelancers’ Association’s Editorial Rates: https://www.the-efa.org/rates/

Author’s Guild Contract Review (I know I said Writer’s Guild!): https://authorsguild.org/legal-services/contract-reviews/