How to play: Fill in any row (vertically, horizontally, or diagonally) if you’ve experienced any of the statements below (or similar). When you’ve completed a row, release your frustration by shouting “BINGO!“
| Female Writer Bingo | |||
| An editor suggests fewer emotional scenes / more explosions & descriptions of breasts | Your female protagonist is described as “plucky” | A Fabio look-alike is slapped on your book cover | An agent tells you that he doesn’t represent “Women’s Lit” when you submit your WWII spy novel |
| Audience member mansplains your book to you & later drunkenly admits he hasn’t read it | Your first print interview begins with a detailed description of your outfit/ makeup/ hip width | Bonus points: Random literary conference ass grab | Consider using an ambiguous pen name / legally changing your name to “Frank” |
| A male author’s literary novel focusing on domestic drama is labeled genius while yours is called a “beach read” | A famous, pasty male author criticizes your looks | A co-panelist/co-reader refers to you as “Sweetheart” or “Honey” or “Word-Ho” | You’re asked what your real or hypothetical children will think of your memoir |
| A workshop leader interrupts your comments to “shed some light” on the “real issue” | Someone at a dinner party asks what you really do for a living | @asshat69 threatens you for speaking out/ writing an unapologetic female character / having lady parts | A reviewer categorizes your Cold War-era political thriller as “Chick Lit” |
Photo by June Yarham
