A NEW, BAD PUBLICATION
An Official Introduction to Badform, An Invitation, and A ‘Bad’ Writing Prompt
The time has come to release the beast into the wilds of Medium
Hello Medium world 👋 I have something to share with you all.
Last week, I did a thing. It was a little bit bad and a little bit fun, and I assumed that it would remain just that — a little bit bad and fun — for that little moment in time.
But then, what I didn’t expect was that other writers would want to jump onboard for that little bit of badness and fun-ness, and that it would continue day-upon-day.
You see, I was poking a bit of fun at a bunch of writing prompts for a particular publication’s challenge. I do not write for that publication and had not been a part of the challenge, but I was watching the many participating stories come through my feed and it tickled the naughty side of me.
**If you are on the specific publication’s editing team and you are reading this, please know that I had no sinister motive other than a little bit of harmless fun, and I do hope I haven’t offended anyone. But, in the long run, a lot of creative writing, especially in the humour department, is borne out of satirical digs at existing ideas.
Anyway, it turns out I opened the floodgates when I created my publication, despite it only ever being meant as a one-off joke. A bunch of fellow writers loved the concept and asked to write for the publication too. Since the publication was formed, last Sunday, we have already had 9 stories published in it, including 2 that were chosen for further distribution.
And so, it seems to have been confirmed by the universe that this bad boy is here to stay and take its place on the Medium platform. And that is why I am announcing not only its arrival, but also, tentatively, inviting others to write for us.
Introducing….
Badform
Not short, not long, just bad.
The key word here is BAD!
But when I say BAD, I mean it in a good way, a fun way, and, most importantly, in a humorous way. Laughable silliness, nonsensical funniness, and funny seriousness.
It may be badform, but it’s also totally BADASS!
You see, while it’s bad, it’s also hosting the work of some pretty hot writers, making it unequivocally BADASS!
And, while it may have the outer appearance of being a little bit of a wildchild of a pub — untamed and out-of-control — we actually have some pretty strong guidelines. These are as follows.
- Same old standards according to Medium’s Distribution Standards. Click the link because I can’t be bothered to write them out again — yeah, I’m bad like that.
- Nonsense is completely welcome but it has to have an point. Not just a load of unrelated nonsense thrown at the wall but following a thread or a theme, or creating some hilarity using concepts or protagonists that people will recognise and relate to.
- Social and political commentary is fully welcome as long as it’s smothered with a thick layer of humour.
- Rants are welcome, again, if smothered with a thick layer of humour.
- Digs at concepts and ideas are welcome, but no digs at specific people’s writing or personalities. Keep it kind on a personal level.
- All submissions must be written with fun, and come with a big dollop of love. In the long run, we may be bad, but we’re all about love. Tough love also allowed.
- All stories must include a “Key” concept at the end that may or may not bear any relation to the story itself — you choose — and this must be written as a large, pull-out quote. See Medium’s story editor guide if you are unsure what this is. What you call your “Key” concept is also up to you. Let your badass self lead the way. Ideas include Key Takeaway, Key Message, Unrelated Lesson, Today’s Forecast, etc.
- Humour is also allowed to be spelled ‘humor.’
Fortnightly writing prompts and monthly awards
Each fortnight (or thereabouts, because I am not always that organised) there will be a new writing prompt that features the word “Bad.”
I decided on weekly prompts rather than monthly because we are really not going too deep into anything here and bad things need renewing often.
We will also be awarding a writer each month with an MBA (Master of BadAssery). Anyone and everyone is considered. Merits are purely subjective and up to the editing team at the end of each month. Just come with your greatest badassery and we will notice.
How to apply to write with us
Please request to be added by commenting on this story.
Also, note that since I have no idea what to expect, and since I really have no intention of overwhelming myself if the response is big, there may be a small delay in being added as a writer.
In the meantime, do follow the pub and support it as we begin our wild and untamed journey into the Medium jungle.
And now, for this fortnight’s prompt (until 13th August)
This fortnight’s prompt is…
The Bad Service
What you do with it is up to you. The choice is yours.
Please use the tag The Bad Service so that it can help the clever technology stick it in the right place in the pub.
See this story for all the info:
Thanks to all current writers with Badform for making its first few days as badass as you have: Bernice Puzon, Gerald Sturgill, Christopher Robin, Ira Robinson, Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles, KiKi Walter, Mike Butler, Sofia Chen, Sieran Lane.
Check out the stories so far…
The Very Schlong Package by Mike Butler
My BS Meter is Off the Charts by Bernice Puzon
The Eating (Anything!) Contest by Mike Butler
The Sad Story of The ill-Fated Bridge Over Troubled Waters by me!
The Last Five Stories on My List in Single Digits by Gerald Sturgill
A Bitter Pill To Swallow by Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles
Have You Ever Watched an Asian Woman Eat A Fish Head? by Gerald Sturgill
An Unlikely and Slightly Warped Love Letter…to Me From Me by me!