Gaitskill attempted to find a publisher for four years before her first book, the short story collection "Bad Behavior," was published in 1988. The first four stories are written in the third person point of view from the perspectives of male characters. The remaining five stories are written from the perspectives of female characters. "Secretary" is the only story in the book written in the first-person point of view. Several of the stories have themes of sexuality, romance, love, sex work, sadomasochism, drug addiction, being a writer in New York City, and living in New York City. "A Romantic Weekend" and "Secretary" both explore themes of BDSM and psychological aspects of dominance and submission in sexual relationships. The story "Connection" is about a female friendship.