The Worst Opening Lines Ever Written: A Tribute and Farewell to the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest
04/23/25 • 29 min
It’s the contest that turned bad writing into comical, witty, creative art. We explore the spectacularly awful and oddly brilliant world of the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest, where contestants imagine and submit the opening line of the worst book to be written. Join Jacob Shymanski and Ramya Amuthan as we say goodbye, by giving you our favourite submissions of 2024, and read through the 40-year archives.
Plus, Ramya offers her reflection on It Must Be Beautiful to Be Finished by Kate Gies—a poetic memoir that speaks to the trauma of childhood surgeries, the ache of medical betrayal, and the quiet power of sitting with your story.
AMI Audiobook Review is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes three new podcast episodes a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
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About AMI
AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.
Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+
Learn more at AMI.ca
Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:
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- Instagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audio
- Facebook at @AccessibleMediaInc
- TikTok @AccessibleMediaInc
It’s the contest that turned bad writing into comical, witty, creative art. We explore the spectacularly awful and oddly brilliant world of the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest, where contestants imagine and submit the opening line of the worst book to be written. Join Jacob Shymanski and Ramya Amuthan as we say goodbye, by giving you our favourite submissions of 2024, and read through the 40-year archives.
Plus, Ramya offers her reflection on It Must Be Beautiful to Be Finished by Kate Gies—a poetic memoir that speaks to the trauma of childhood surgeries, the ache of medical betrayal, and the quiet power of sitting with your story.
AMI Audiobook Review is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes three new podcast episodes a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Follow AMI Audiobook Review on YouTube & Instagram!
We want your feedback!
Be that comments, suggestions, hot-takes, audiobook recommendations or reviews of your own... hit us up!
Our email address is: [email protected]
About AMI
AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.
Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+
Learn more at AMI.ca
Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:
- X /Twitter @AccessibleMedia
- Instagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audio
- Facebook at @AccessibleMediaInc
- TikTok @AccessibleMediaInc
Previous Episode
From Moby Dick to Monte Cristo: A Case for Lengthy Listens
Long audiobooks are a commitment, and we’re here to defend why that commitment is worth our while. Red Széll makes the case for expansive storytelling that sits beyond the 15-hour listen, Jacob offers his favourite epic listens, and together they explore how the right pacing, character development, and hypnotic rhythm can turn long reads into unforgettably immersive experiences.
Books discussed in this episode are:
- The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
- The Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb
- Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
- Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
- Ulysses by James Joyce
- The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
- Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
AMI Audiobook Review is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes three new podcast episodes a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Follow AMI Audiobook Review on YouTube & Instagram!
We want your feedback!
Be that comments, suggestions, hot-takes, audiobook recommendations or reviews of your own... hit us up!
Our email address is: [email protected]
About AMI
AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.
Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+
Learn more at AMI.ca
Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:
- X /Twitter @AccessibleMedia
- Instagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audio
- Facebook at @AccessibleMediaInc
- TikTok @AccessibleMediaInc
Next Episode
Hooked on the Story, Tripped by the App: A Pocket FM Deep Dive
What happens when an ad pulls you into a 2,000-episode audiobook? Aamer Khan shares how he stumbled onto Pocket FM—and why the platform might be brilliant, broken, or both. We break down the app's creative format, its viral success in India, and the accessibility quirks that’s holding it back. Plus, Aamer gives us his review of Amanda Quick’s latest suspense novel, The Girl Who Knew Too Much.
AMI Audiobook Review is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes three new podcast episodes a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Follow AMI Audiobook Review on YouTube & Instagram!
We want your feedback!
Be that comments, suggestions, hot-takes, audiobook recommendations or reviews of your own... hit us up!
Our email address is: [email protected]
About AMI
AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.
Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+
Learn more at AMI.ca
Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:
- X /Twitter @AccessibleMedia
- Instagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audio
- Facebook at @AccessibleMediaInc
- TikTok @AccessibleMediaInc
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