10 Worst Types of Readers
- Jenna Moreci
- Aug 26
- 7 min read
HelloOoOo everybody!
Today, I am tackling a topic that has literally been requested for years, but I've been dragging my feet on it because people are gonna get really mad. But the time has come. I am putting on my big girl panties, and today we are talking about the worst types of readers that writers gotta deal with, oftentimes on a daily basis. This list is based on the experience of writers I know, blogs that I've read, and overall, the most common complaints that I see within the writing community.
Why don't we talk about shitty readers, shall we? I'm listing the ten worst readers you'll meet throughout your writing journey.
Quick disclaimer: I am not going to talk about bullies or trolls. Lots of authors receive rants, hate mail, death threats, and harassment. We already know those readers are clearly the worst. However, this list is supposed to be light-hearted and fun. So we'll save the more troubling shit for another video.
This video is sponsored by Skillshare. As always, all opinions are my own.
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Number 1: The Lit Snob
“Oh, hello, I didn't see you there. I was busy filling my mind with knowledge and wonder. Something you can't relate to, I'm sure. When you're done wasting your time with whatever dribble you're currently reading, might I interest you in some quality literature?”
Look, reading is subjective. It's all about personal tastes. That means your preferences are exactly that—your preferences. They are not inherently superior to everyone else's. It's fine if you have genres you like or dislike, but no one is required to share your opinions, and those who disagree with you aren't lesser. They're just different.
Number 2: Paperback Purists
If you prefer paperback novels, fantastic. If you prefer hardback, good for you. But if ebooks or audiobooks throw you into a fiery rage, you really need to find a new hill to die on. First of all, why is this even a point of contention? Ebooks and audiobooks have been around for years, and people are still shitting their pants over ’em?
“But Jennaaa! Ebooks and audiobooks aren't real books. They don't count.”
Did you know that some people can literally only read ebooks or listen to audiobooks due to arthritis, chronic pain, visual impairment, or a host of other disabilities? And some people can only afford ebooks? For many, paperbacks and hardbacks are a luxury. Are you saying that these people don't count as readers because they don't have pretty pictures of bookshelves on Instagram? ’Cause if that's the case, you're an asshole.
Number 3: Gluttons for Punishment
You know when readers pick up a book from a genre they absolutely hate and then complain when the book meets the criteria for that genre? Why the fuck do they do that?
“This book is filled with short stories. I hate short stories.”
It literally says a collection of short stories on the cover!
“There was way too much romance in this book. Ugh.”
But it's a historical romance, that's the genre!
“Just because a book is labeled as historical romance doesn't mean it should be filled with romance.”
That's exactly what it means. I will be the first to encourage you to read outside of your preferred genres and expand your horizons. But you can't get mad about content when it's advertised all over the damn book. That's on you, dummy.
Number 4: "What’s a Series?"
Everyone loves a good resolution to a story. But when you're reading a series, that resolution isn't coming until the very last book, because the story isn't over until the very last book. This isn't a new concept. You see this in movies, comics, and TV shows. But still, there's a minority of readers who can't quite wrap their heads around the concept.
“I am so pissed. I just finished book one, and there were so many things left unresolved.”
What if I told you that's what the sequels are for?
“But all these unanswered questions. I mean, just look at these plot holes!”
Those aren't plot holes, they're just a setup for the sequel. If you wanna read one book and have it over and done with, standalones exist. You're welcome.
Number 5: The White-Washer
Some authors write very vague physical descriptions, or don't write any at all. But many write very thorough physical descriptions for their characters that are really hard to screw up. Joke's on them, because the white-washer is gonna see the book, read all of their very thorough, detailed, and diverse physical descriptions, and then decide: “I'm just gonna pretend all the characters are white.”
Got an elderly Korean man in your book? The white-washer is going to make Sean Connery his face claim. Got a character with curly black hair and deep brown skin? They must be Italian.
“But Jennaaa, this doesn't really happen, does it?”
Do I need to remind you of the Rue incident from The Hunger Games? As a reader, it's your prerogative to imagine the characters however you want. But if you're purposely erasing characters of color and turning them into Wonder Bread, we're judging you.
Number 6: The Mentor
If you're a writer and a woman, then you know exactly who I'm talking about. Publish a book or ten, and somewhere down the line, a middle-aged man with little to no writing experience is going to offer to be your mentor. Don't get me wrong, he's gonna be nice about it…sort of.
“You know, your book was decent for a little girl. I think it might have some potential. Allow me to give you my expert advice.”
Oh my god, stop it. You're making me blush.
You can be a multi-published New York Times Best Selling, award-winning author, and some old man who manages the grocery store is still gonna offer to make you a star. But to be fair, he has written a couple of Brony fanfics. So clearly, he's a master.
Number 7: Women Against Women
Male readers aren't the only ones who suck; we ladies are awful, too. Some women read female characters with a hypercritical eye, because self-loathing is a real bitch. If a female character makes any mistake, no matter how minor, this reader is going to be thrown into a rage.
“I hate her! She doesn't deserve the air she breathes.”
What makes this worse is that this exact same reader is gonna forgive all the male characters for every mistake they make, no matter how catastrophic…provided they're hot.
“Oh, he didn't mean it. He had a rough childhood. He's got a lot of anger to work through.”
He slaughtered an entire village. You read that, right?
This chick’s reading experience consists of her ping-ponging between violent fury and horny delusions. The lady character hurt someone's feelings? Kill the bitch! The male character sexually assaults someone? Oh, don't be so hard on the guy; he can't help it.
Number 8: “Art Should Be Free, Damn It!”
God forbid writers pay their bills, am I right? There are lots of consumers who demand large quantities of media, but refuse to pay for it. If you're an author, you've probably seen this person in one of two ways.
“All right, I guess I'll read your book, but only if it's free.”
Wow. Thank you so much for this kindness. How ever will I repay you for mooching off of all my hard work?
“I'm a big fan, but I've never actually read your work. But I want to! So send me a free copy?”
How are you a fan if you've never read my work? What are you a fan of? The cover?
Look, we're all in different places financially. It's fine if you can't afford someone's book, but you wouldn’t show up to an Olive Garden demanding free food, or an Old Navy demanding free clothes. This is our job. So pay for the product.
Number 9: “The Villain Hurt My Feelings.”
I honestly didn't know this was a thing until I befriended a multitude of writers. Apparently, sometimes readers get mad when the villain is mean. Say what now?
“I was enjoying this book until the villain said something classist and misogynistic.”
Well, they're the villain, so yeah, that's kind of the point. I would suggest different reading material if this sort of thing nips at your delicate sensibilities, but I can't think of a single book where the villain is a ray of sunshine, because then they wouldn't be a villain.
Number 10: Canon Creators
Imagine you sew a shirt and then someone comes up to you and says, “Hmm, actually, it's a lamp.”
No, it's a shirt.
“Hmm, definitely a lamp.”
I sewed it. It's my creation. It's a shirt.
“I mean, not to brag, but I know a lot about lamps, and this is definitely—”
I made it with my fucking hands!
Welcome to the life of an author. I'm not hating on headcanons or readers that have theories or predictions. As a writer, I live for that shit. And it's fine if you interpret the material differently than it was intended; that is your prerogative as a reader. But every single author I know has had a reader try to explain their own work to them at some point in time.
“No, no, no, no, that's not how it went. This is how it went.”
I guarantee you, the author knows how it went. They wrote it. They probably have it memorized.
So that's all I've got for you today!
If you're mad about this video, remember that you requested it. I did it for you, damn it.
Again, thank you so much to Skillshare for partnering with me. They always make it so much easier for me to release regular content for you guys. Plus, they bring awesome goodies. Remember, if you want to get two months of Skillshare Premium for $0, click the link here. This offer is only available to the first 500 people who click the link, so do it now.
*This post is sponsored by Skillshare. As always, all opinions are my own.
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