Reading (& writing) clean content is more than a matter of preference—it’s a moral imperative

An interview on The Clean Library Podcast

Is the choice to read clean books just a matter of exercising your personal tastes, like choosing a western over a thriller? No, it’s much more than that.

This week I appeared on The Clean Library Podcast, where I got to chat with the hosts about this question and other issues related to writing clean material, as well as details about my beginnings and process as an author.

In the interview, I made an analogy to food: a media diet full of the vulgar, crude, or profane is as harmful to individuals and society—gradually, over time—as a nutritional diet full of sugar, fat, and salt.

Once we understand the destructive harm that non-clean content has on society (especially on families), then the choice to promote and support clean content becomes easy.

You can listen to the episode here:

If you only have a few minutes, I recommend listening to the segment from 34:30 to 41:22.

Episode Landmarks:

My author career

2:38 – My author “origin story” (it involves homeschooling)

6:33 – Marketing and distribution plans for The Pyromancer’s Scroll

8:38 – How do authors build a readership?

10:48 – Obstacles to my writing process (spoiler: lack of time is the main one)

Writing clean content

12:03 – How constraints help foster creativity

14:19 – How do I write realistic action scenes in a non-graphic way?

16:19 – Influence of my ancient Near Eastern studies background on my worldbuilding

19:40 – Have I ever had beta readers give feedback that they want it more graphic? (No, actually once the opposite)

21:31 – When is it appropriate to use invented substitutions for curse words?

Publishing paths

24:51 – What I’ve learned about the publishing industry through my role with LDSPMA

29:47 – Why did I make the decision to self-publish?

The need for clean content

34:30 – My argument that clean content is not simply a matter of preference—it’s a moral imperative.

37:18 – My analogy that a media diet full of the vulgar, crude, or profane is as harmful to individuals and society as a nutritional diet full of sugar, fat, and salt.

41:22 – Why does raunchy content sell? Because it’s hormonally addicting.

44:15 – The need to more clearly label and promote clean content