Bad Words is a collection of "feminist, queer, and otherwise radical" pieces of hybrid fiction and truth, prose and poetry. Each is short or very short, infused with the urgency I felt with the rise of Trump. Each is rooted in fierce love. Most were written for the Desert Split Open Mic, which I hosted from 2019-2024 in Joshua Tree, California. Some are older, and others brand new. I believed in the Desert Split Open Mic with my whole heart. It felt important, providing an opportunity for my fellow women and queer people to get more comfortable with the sound of our own voices, amplified, saying what we meant, consciously exercising our freedom of speech in defiance of the Right's attempts to silence voices and books that challenge their narrow views. The open mic helped crystallize my own purpose as a writer and improve my skills as a public speaker. I remain an introvert who rises to the mic when necessary. Thank you for using your voice, even when it shakes. -Susan Rukeyser