Bitter Book Battle: When a Decade-Long Friendship Turns into a Literary Showdown

Ever wondered what happens when two friends, both aspiring authors, find their careers taking drastically different paths? Meet ‘Anna’ and our ‘Literary Dragon’, two friends who bonded over their shared love for writing. Over the years, Literary Dragon has soared to the bestseller lists while Anna’s journey has been less stellar. Now, their friendship is on the rocks, and it all boils down to a clash over success, support, and a little thing called ‘genre’.

The Tale of Two Authors Begins

The Rise of the Literary Dragon

Anna’s Struggles and the Agent Dilemma

The Feedback Fallout

The Silence and the Self-Publishing Decision

The Blurb Battle and the Accusations Fly

The Final Showdown and the Question of Entitlement

A Literary Friendship on the Brink: Success, Jealousy, and the Fight for Recognition

In a world where success is often measured by bestseller lists and six-figure deals, the friendship between ‘Anna’ and our ‘Literary Dragon’ is teetering on the edge. As Literary Dragon’s career took flight, Anna’s struggled to take off. When Anna asked for a referral to Literary Dragon’s agent, things began to unravel. The final straw? A request for a blurb for Anna’s self-published book, which was met with a resounding ‘no’. Accusations flew, harsh words were exchanged, and now, their friendship hangs in the balance. But who’s in the wrong here? Let’s see what the online community thinks of this literary showdown…

Being realistic with friends and the challenges of blind support.

NTA. Anna should appreciate the free help from a successful author

NTA for reasonable critique. Successful authors also procrastinate on Reddit

NTA. Helping a friend with a blurb can risk reputation

Friend accuses OP of being selfish and unhelpful.

Mixed feelings on the book, but acknowledging growth as writers

NTA: Friend needs thicker skin to succeed in writing industry

Friend’s lack of understanding and sensitivity raises doubts about commitment.

Friendship turned sour over book blurb request. Success breeds guilt.

“You’re not the a**hole for giving honest feedback on her book. She sounds toxic.”

Author solidarity! ✊ Helping friends doesn’t mean doing everything.

NTA. Don’t risk your reputation on a subpar book.

Helping a friend with their manuscript: NTA, but not appreciated

Pediatrician refuses surgery, patient upset. NTA. Genre differences explained.

A decade-long friendship turns into a literary showdown

Engaging comment and replies about the commenter’s desire to read the books

NTA. Your friend’s expectations were unrealistic. You went above and beyond.

Balancing honesty and support in a literary friendship

Author’s condescending tone towards friend sparks heated debate.

Letting go of a friendship without being the a**hole.

Jealous friend tries to steal author’s success, NTA

NTA author shares struggles with critique partners, offers advice

NTA. Success is personal, but a little help is appreciated!

NTA. Entitled friend rejects feedback, jeopardizes your reputation. Good riddance!

Navigating jealousy and entitlement in the world of writing

Friend criticizes, then asks for recommendation in different genre. NTA.

Historical fiction writer criticizes poorly researched books and defends the importance of knowledge and skill in writing.

Reading friends’ writing can be tricky

Friend using you for self-promotion? Try one last helpful gesture!

Friend asks for help with book, but OP refuses. ESH.

Experienced author offers reality check to delusional friend

Cut ties with the frenemy leech and rise above!

NTA. Protect your professional reputation and set boundaries with her.

NTA: Cut ties and find real friends.

Not the a**hole – the battle of words begins!

NTA, reasonable reasons. Going for privilege card = dramatic

Supportive comment encourages author to pursue book-selling aspirations

Navigating the delicate balance of giving honest feedback as an author

Not the a**hole. Let the literary showdown begin!

NTA – Friendship isn’t about blindly supporting someone. Congrats on success!

NTA: Brutal honesty leads to a literary friendship fallout

NTA. Honest feedback can spark jealousy and anxiety in friendships.

NTA. She’s using you to get famous, but you worked hard

NTA, but should have done the blurb.

Struggling writer supports fellow writer, acknowledges jealousy, and offers advice

Refusing blurb was right, but critique could’ve been kinder. ESH

Book preferences: love it or hate it, no in-between!

NTA. Writing is about more than daydreaming

NTA: Friend can’t handle criticism, missed opportunity for growth ‍♂️

Wild publishing industry drama! NTA, Anna needs help!

NTA. Facing reality: the harsh truth of being a writer

Friendship turned toxic: Are they just using you?

When being right costs you a friendship. YTA

Ending a toxic friendship with grace and self-respect.

Learn to deflect, deflect, deflect. Set boundaries with friends.

NTA. Writing is hard work Your friend wants success without effort

“NTA. A relatable struggle in the tough world of novelists. “

NTA. Some people just aren’t appreciative of constructive criticism.

NTA. Reasonable points, but friend can’t handle criticism. ‍♂️

Well-intentioned critique can strain a friendship.

NTA: Honest feedback in writing can be cut throat. Any YA fantasy recommendations?

No-win situation, but you did the right thing. NTA

YA fantasy fan seeks book recommendations. Share your titles!

NTA: Giving constructive criticism is fair, success takes time

Confused reader asks if book is by specific authors.

Self-published author defends their hard work against unrealistic expectations.

NTA. Building career vs. instant success. Adult YA readership.

NTA. Friend tries to use your success for her benefit.

NTA: A good friend tells you what you want, a mentor what you need

Envious of a supportive friend in the bitter book battle!

Not the a**hole. Let the literary showdown begin!

NTA! Sure, I’ve got some YA book recs for you