Bragg received a variety of reviews for his work, some critics declaring it outstanding and others suggesting it was lazy. Many suggested that splitting his time between writing and broadcasting was detrimental to the quality, and that his media profile and his known sensitivity to criticism made him an easy target for unjust reviews. "The Literary Review"'s prize mocking his writing of sex in fiction, according to "The Independent", was awarded not on readers' nominations, but simply because it would be good PR. From 1996 to 1998 he also wrote a column in "The Times" newspaper; he has also occasionally written for "The Sunday Times", "The Guardian" and "Observer".