Smart Podcast, Trashy Books: A Romance Novel Podcast

725. Romantic Hero with Kirsty Greenwood 03.07.2026 52min

My guest this week is Kirsty Greenwood, whose new book Romantic Hero is out now everywhere, all over the world.Kirsty writes what she calls “speculative romantic comedy,” and I really loved her first book, Love of my Afterlife.We discuss SHOCKING topics like deleting the first book she tried to write, the character journeys in Romantic Hero, dealing with writer’s block, and punching people in the face.Want to watch this episode? Find us on YouTube!New! I’m posting clips from Romantic Times Rewind on TikTok! ...You can find Kirsty Greenwood at her website, KirstyGreenwood.com, and sign up for her newsletter. You can also find her on Instagram and on Facebook at KirstyGreenwoodBooks.You can also listen to us discussing Love of my Afterlife in Episode 622. The Love of My Afterlife with Kirsty Greenwood. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

724. RT Rewind: May 1996 Ads & Features 26.06.2026 1t 19min

The time machine is all charged up, and we’re headed back to May 1996 to take a look at the ads & features from Romantic Times magazine. It’s the late 90s, so you know that means Incredible Cover Art.We also discover just how much creepy stuff Amanda owns currently, debates about babies in romance, cheap conference hotel rooms, woman flamingos, and incredible women heroines.I don’t know if you’re a video watcher, but the video for this episode has ALL the visuals on screen. But if you’re NOT a video watcher, the visual aids were so bountiful I needed to give them their own post.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

723. Magic and Gardens with Ashley Poston 19.06.2026 1t 16min

My guest today is bestselling author Ashley Poston, whose new book, The Someday Garden, is out this week.The Someday Garden was inspired by The Secret Garden, so we’re going to talk about inspiration, gardening, fandoms, changing genres and having your readers grow up with you as a writer.TW/CW – discussion of grief, and of suicide at almost exactly 1 hour into our conversation.You can find Ashley Poston on her website, AshPoston.com, on IG as @HeyAshPoston, and on Threads @HeyAshPoston.We also mentioned:Diary X (RIP)Cheerful Plants app (when to water your succulents!)AppleAndroidHeated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Parody Musical Boothbay Garden, MaineJardin de Quatre-Vents, Quebec, CanadaThe Butchart Garden, British Columbia, CanadaDo you like to listen to your favorite podcasts on YouTube? We’re there, too! Come on over! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

722. RT Rewind: May 1996 Reviews 12.06.2026 1t 8min

We love the 90s, and that’s where we’re headed this month, gazing at the impossible mullets from Romantic Times magazine.We’re talking about the newest books from May 1996, including the second book in what is now a 15-book much-loved series, and some truly memorable character names.We’ll investigate, “What’s wrong with this man?” We’ll have “lashings of good fun.” Plus we learn a SHOCKING TRUTH about Amanda’s reading history.Want to watch on YouTube?We also mentioned:Movie PooperClassic Romance: Which One First? Nora Roberts EditionMy Reddit post about the centerfoldMusic: Purple-planet.com   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

721. Exploring Platform Decay with Martha Wells 05.06.2026 1t 2min

Martha Wells is back, and we are taking a deep spoilery dive into Platform Decay.I want to be clear here: if you haven’t read Platform Decay, we are about to spoil the dickens out of it. Yes, Charles Dickens is in Platform Decay, you heard it here first. We’re going to discuss infrastructure fury, trains in Japan, Honor Princess Detective, and more – and when I say we are spoiling, we are spoiling.In other words, if you haven’t read Platform Decay, and you don’t want to know much about the story, skip this episode until after you’ve read it. This is a very book club kind of conversation.You can find Martha Wells on her website, MarthaWells.com, and she's on Bluesky, Goodreads, and Instagram.Please note: Martha Wells is NOT on Threads or Facebook. If someone contacts you on there, it is not really her! We also mentioned:Legend of Zeng HaiUnveil: Jadewind Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

720. RT Rewind: December 2012 Ads & Features 29.05.2026 1t 18min

We’re back in the time machine, heading to December 2012 to look at the ads and features from Romantic Times magazine. This episode features a high amount of extreme zany. We’ve got so many treats for you this week, including the Steeple Hill Drinking Game, the reverse Colonel Sanders, Jude Deveraux’s thoughts on modern romance heroes of the time, shifters and more. Watch the episode and see the ads we're talking about on YouTube, or find the visual aids at SBTB.com! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

719. Tropetails, Books and Drinky Chatting with Amanda 22.05.2026 1t 5min

We’re sampling Tropetails cocktail mixes, discussing what we’re reading and playing, and what books we’re looking forward to in the coming months.We were not paid to promote them, but we did receive free samples and they are delicious.We also mentioned:Manta: Flower of Allure aka Flowers are Bait Game: Winter BurrowGame: Librarian – Tidy Up the Arcane LibraryElyse’s review of YesteryearMy review of Platform Decay...This episode is brought to you by Ophelia — an original audio drama, inspired by Hamlet, where Ophelia finally gets to be the main character.Forbidden magic, a crumbling kingdom, a slow-burn love triangle with a prince and his very guarded, very intriguing, best friend. The kind of love triangle where you will absolutely pick a side and you will not be quiet about it. Learn more at Hatch.co/ophelia ...Support for this episode comes from The Undergrads: Student Union by #1 New York Times-bestselling author Julie Murphy–a sexy new rom com about a college marriage of convenience that goes way beyond chemistry 101. Ali Hazelwood calls The Undergrads: Student Union “one addictively swoony book.” Available now wherever books are sold!...You can get 10% off of Tropetails drink mixes with code SBTBTROPES!Find all the books and games we discuss at SBTB! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

718. RT Rewind: December 2012 Reviews 15.05.2026 1t 32min

We’re back in the time machine, heading back to December 2012 to see what new books were reviewed in Romantic Times magazine.We’ve got “multicultural” books, beefy paragraphs, big thorns, Schroedinger’s baby, and “charming vulgar nonsense.” Plus, we ask a very important question: if you were suddenly the heroine of an Inspirational romance, how would you know?TW/CW for the erotica section at the end. It was a time, y’all.If you want to watch this episode with images of the covers and Amanda and I cracking up a lot, head over to our YouTube page.We also mentioned:SNL: Dylan McDermott or Durmot Mulroney?Goodreads: The Folly of the World review...Support for this episode comes from Labyrinthine by CJ Holmes, a dark, myth-inspired romantasy—where love is dangerous, desire is a risk, and monsters don’t always look like monsters.Princess Azhara was born cursed. Marked by ancient magic. Promised in an unholy bargain sealed in blood, she is the prize. When the Reaping begins, suitors will descend into the labyrinth beneath the palace—each one fighting to win her hand or die trying.A “beautifully woven tale of love, magic, and sacrifice,” Labyrinthine is available now in paperback, ebook, and audio, wherever books are sold. Learn more at CJHolmesWriting.com, or check the link in the show notes to find your copy today!...This episode is brought to you by Ophelia — an original audio drama, inspired by Hamlet, where Ophelia finally gets to be the main character.Forbidden magic, a crumbling kingdom, a slow-burn love triangle with a prince and his very guarded, very intriguing, best friend. The kind of love triangle where you will absolutely pick a side and you will not be quiet about it. Learn more at Hatch.co/ophelia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

717. Archangel’s Finale with Nalini Singh 08.05.2026 1t 24min

Nalini Singh is back to talk about Archangel’s Eternity, which I have been calling “Archangel’s Finale.”We’ve got questions from readers and listeners, and some behind the scenes details about how Nalini organizes the massive worlds she’s built in her series.Plus she teases some major surprises for the next Psy-Changeling book, and what she’s working on right now.You can find the video of this episode on our YouTube channel if you’d like to watch us!You can find Nalini Singh at her website, NaliniSingh.com, and on Instagram and Facebook as AuthorNaliniSingh.Do not miss the chance to sign up for her newsletter!We also mentioned:Nalini’s virtual event with the Ashland Public Library on Wednesday, June 10!The next Psy-Changeling book is Cold Redemption, coming out in December 1, 2026.Nalini’s prior episodes:676. Exploring Atonement Sky with Nalini Singh489. Archangel’s Light with Nalini Singh409. Alpha Night and Alpha Women With Nalini Singh361. Playing Verbal Poker with Nalini Singh356. Our Book Club Discussion of Rebel Hard by Nalini Singh24. An Interview with Nalini Singh...Support for this episode comes from The Undergrads: Student Union by #1 New York Times-bestselling author Julie Murphy–a sexy new rom com about a college marriage of convenience that goes way beyond chemistry 101. Ali Hazelwood calls The Undergrads: Student Union “one addictively swoony book.” Available now wherever books are sold!...This episode is brought to you by Hatch, producers of Ophelia, an original audio drama, inspired by Hamlet, where Ophelia finally gets to be the main character. Book one of the three part series is now available for free wherever you stream, with new chapters dropping every Tuesday. For books 2 and 3, check out hatch.co/Ophelia.Stay tuned to the end of the episode for a sample of Ophelia, brought to you by Hatch.co!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

716. Here for All the Reasons: Bachelor Critique With Ilana Masad and Stevie K. Seibert Desjarlais 01.05.2026 1t 37min

Programming note: this week's episode is dropping on 30 April 2026. Smart Bitches Trashy Books, LLC, is withdrawing our labor on May 1, 2026, alongside other companies, school districts, and activists as part of the May Day Nationwide Day of Collective Action. For more information, visit MayDayStrong.org. ...Ilana Masad and Stevie K. Seibert Desjarlais are the editors of a new and excellent anthology called Here for All The Reasons: Why We Watch the Bachelor.The essays inside are incredible, and provide deep and incisive critique of The Bachelor franchise from people who love, or used to love it deeply. Some of the topics blew my mind. I was so excited to talk to Ilana and Stevie about their work, and we happened to record just as the latest season of The Bachelorette was cancelled, so we talk about that as well.If you like deep examinations of pop culture and of properties typically dismissed as meaningless fluff – hello, yes, I do! – you’ll have fun with us today.We’re going to talk about conservative fantasy, polyamory, grad school, changing portrayals of masculinity in reality tv, media literacy and so much more.As I say during our conversation, I think the best critiques of things come from people who are fans.TW/CW: At about 50 minutes into the interview, we discuss allegations of domestic violence from Taylor Frankie Paul, and at 1 hour and 20 minutes, we discuss the loss of their friend Dr. Katie McWain, to whom the book is dedicated....You can find Ilana Masad at her website, IlanaMasad.com. She’s on Bluesky @IlanaSlightly, and on Instagram @Ilanaslightlyignorant.You can read Ilana’s article, “How ‘The Bachelor’ Franchise Celebrates Polyamory” from the March 2018 issue of Playboy via the Web Archive. Stevie’s work can be found at The Quarterly Review of Film and Television, The Journal of Pedagogy, The Journal of Popular Film and Television, and The Popular Culture Studies Journal. You can read “From Nobody to Nurturing: Skeptical Action Heroes Seek (and Find) Different Masculinity” online in the Popular Culture Studies Journal, Vol. 13, Issue 2 (PDF)We also discussed:“Media Literacy and Education in Finland” – Finland ToolboxThe Finnish National Curriculum on Media Literacy: A Global Model for Education“Geriaction” The Call Your Coven podcast“Under the Mormon Influence: How the women of Utah blogged and posted their way into American hearts and Wallets” by Bridget Read, 9 Feb. 2026 – The Cut (Paywalled)...This episode is brought to you by Hatch.You know how you finish a romantasy and you just need the next thing immediately? Hatch made that thing.It’s called Ophelia — an original audio drama, inspired by Hamlet, where Ophelia finally gets to be the main character.Forbidden magic, a crumbling kingdom, a slow-burn love triangle with a prince and his very guarded, very intriguing, best friend. The kind of love triangle where you will absolutely pick a side and you will not be quiet about it.Book one of the three part series is now available for free wherever you stream, with new chapters dropping every Tuesday. For books 2 and 3, check out hatch.co/Ophelia....Music: Purple-planet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

715. Books, Wine & Nachos at Joie de Livres, with Claire Trottier 24.04.2026 55min

Thanks for Geoffroy in the podcast Patreon (merci, Geoffrey!) my guest this week is Claire Trottier, owner of Joie de Livres, a romance and speculative fiction bookshop in Montreal, Canada. Hi Neighbors!We’re going to talk about:Opening a romance and speculative fiction book storeWealth disparity!Seeing the world premiere of episode 1 of Heated Rivalry at the Image+National queer film festival in MontrealThe effect of Heated Rivalry on Joie de LivresThen we trade book recs and you get the scoop on the big event happening at Joie de Livres this September.You can find Joie de Livres at their website, and on Instagram @joie.de.libres.mtl!Claire Trottier is on IG as @docreads and @clairetrottier_.We also mentioned:Patriotic Millionaires CanadaPatriotic Millionaires USResource GenerationResource MovementBookclub Bar, NY Image+Nation Film Festival Music: puple-planet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

714. The Edge of Space-Time with Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein 17.04.2026 1t 18min

When you subscribed to this podcast, I bet you thought, “When is Sarah going to interview an expert on theoretical physics ?” Today is your day!My guest is Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein author of the book The Edge of Space-Time: Particles, Poetry, and the Cosmic Dream Boogie.And if you’re thinking, I was really bad at physics – don’t worry, so was I. I found this book to be both incredibly engaging and just the right amount of challenging. Dr. Prescod-Weinstein is going to explain space-time, and how theoretical physics, Black feminist theory, Robert Frost, and the cosmos are all connected.If you held your breath during the liftoff of Artemis II, and were crying when they splashed down safety, not to worry – so was I. I was extremely excited to interview Dr. Prescod-Weinstein, and the timing is perfect. We are in good hands....Support for this episode comes from The Awkward Agenda by Beth Morton, an open-door romance featuring friends-to-lovers, found family, and pirate cosplay, available now digitally in Kindle Unlimited, and in print from retailers everywhere. ...You can find Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein’sPersonal website: http://chanda.scienceNewsletter: http://news.chanda.scienceInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chanda.prescod.weinstein/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/chanda.bsky.socialYou can find the abstract for her work, “The Cosmos is a Black Aesthetic” at Duke University Press.We also mentioned NASA’s image collection. ...Music: purple-planet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

713. Enemies to Lovers with Alisha Rai 10.04.2026 1t 16min

My guest this week is podcast community favorite Alisha Rai! We start off catching up on our history of podcasting together, our life changes, and the challenges of making children wear coats.Then it’s enemies to lovers time! Her new book, Enemies to Lovers is out now, and we both brought the good trowels. We dig into the trope to examine how it works, what the essential elements are, and what can easily go wrong. Along the way we touch on:How much we miss buddy road trip comediesThe weight of being an elder daughterAnd her perspective on the threat of AI to authorsVideo is available on our YouTube channel!Special thanks to the sponsor for this episode: Sotto Voce Scents! Listeners get 15% off with code SMART15! Sotto Voce Scents creates candles inspired by romance novels, like their bestsellers, "Scoundrelwood" and "Rosemary Me." Look for "Only One Bed" and the "Grumpy/Sunshine" duo coming this spring!Music: purple-planet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

712. Like, Follow, Subscribe: The Cost of A Childhood Online with Fortesa Latifi 03.04.2026 1t 6min

You’ve been hearing me talk about this book for awhile, and I am so excited to share with you my conversation with Fortesa Latifi, author of Like, Follow, Subscribe: The Cost of a Childhood Online. Her research into family vloggers and influencers is superb and I’m still thinking about some of the revelations in this book.We discuss the origins of influencing and family vlogging, the benefits and the harms that arise from becoming popular, and the emotional, financial, social, and personal costs of that relative fame.CW/TW: this podcast episode contains discussions of child abuse, exploitation, sexual harassment, and pedophilia. Listener discretion is advised. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

711. RT Rewind: July 2000 Ads & Features 27.03.2026 1t 23min

We are back in the time machine, heading to July 2000 to check out the Ads & Features from Romantic Times Magazine!We’re going to talk about Geocities websites, author research, and Hands.Lots of Hands.This one is a little spicy, y’all! At about 45 minutes in there’s an extended discussion of anal in romance fiction (as you do) and at about 50 minutes in, we discuss death, mortuary science, and make some allusions to decomposition.That’s right. Dead bodies and anal sex. This episode is a banger. Don't miss the visual aids! Or, watch the show on YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

710. Writing Characters with Chronic Illness (Plus Restaurant Recs!!) with Riss M. Neilson 20.03.2026 1t 3min

Riss M. Neilson joins me today to talk about her new romance, The Bridge Back to You. This is a second chance love story between two exes who unexpectedly inherit shares of the same restaurant – the restaurant that he runs, and that she kind of ran away from.There is so much to discuss in this book: we talk about characters with chronic illnesses like endometriosis, or mental illnesses like OCD. We talk about the astrology of her characters and what insights she can gain from their charts, and then, she gives us a list of restaurants to try if we’re ever in Providence, Rhode Island. And Riss even expands my theory about which foods are the universal expression of human love....Support for this episode comes from Savage Bonds by EV Mitchell, a gritty, paranormal slow-burn body-positive romance with lots of spice, some knotting, and shared psychic sexytimes. Savage Bonds is available now in Kindle Unlimited, or in print from the author's website or your local library! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

709. RT Rewind: July 2000 Reviews 13.03.2026 1t 5min

We're back in the time machine, heading to July 2000 - for real this time - to check out the reviews in this issue of Romantic Times magazine!We’ve got anthologies, Carpathians, and several books where we’re pretty sure the happy ending is to throw the entire man away. We also debate who is possessed by demons because it’s a valid question for several of the books we talk about. A mild warning that when we discuss Mystery & Thriller there is a truly gross plot. It’s a doozy. And you can watch this one on YouTube if you like! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

708. From the Vault: Sociology, Romance, and Community with Drs. Jen Lois and Joanna Gregson 06.03.2026 58min

Thank you for joining me for a “from the vault” episode! This is episode 147, originally aired June 26, 2015, so almost 11 years ago.Drs. Jen Lois and Joanna Gregson did a multi-year study on the community of romance authors and I have never stopped thinking about it. In this conversation, we’re talking about that study, what they learned about romance as a community, especially about gender dynamics.You can find their published work based on this study in the following articles – these link to the abstract because I don’t have a membership to this academic database.Aspirational Emotion Work: Calling, Emotional Capital, and Becoming a “Real” WriterSneers and Leers: Romance Writers and Gendered Sexual Stigma Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

707. RT Rewind: June 1997 Ads & Features 27.02.2026 1t 27min

Amanda and I are traveling back to June 1997 to discuss:Touring inside author’s homes and whether we think it’s kinda intrusive and uncomfortableNeverending reader hate for “the F word”The fans used to blow back cover models’ hairAnd speaking of, what’s on the Cover Model Pageant contestant’s heads?And more!We DO have a video episode for this one with images – you can find it on your YouTube channel. And you can find the visual aids for this one below.We have so many links! Are you ready!Mental Floss: The origin of “Live, Laugh, Love”Janelle James and Connor Storrie on the red carpet (Reddit link with video)Links from Steve Ammidown about Genesis Press:1980-2000 Black Publishers – Black Romance Publishers: Representation vs. Exploitation by Sophie Kebret (Unsuitable/Duke University)Authors Cite Problems with Genesis Press by Calvin Reid | Sep 15, 2006, Publishers Weekly (Archive link)One Perfect Rose hardcover – eBayThe Instagram account of Aureltattoo, who dances in front of a fanVisual Aids are at SBTB! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

706. The Astral Library with Kate Quinn 20.02.2026 1t 15min

Kate Quinn’s new book, The Astral Library, is out this week and I was so excited to not only get an advanced copy but an opportunity to interview Kate Quinn.We talk about the inspiration for this very magical book, and about books that are sanctuaries. We also talk about library advocacy, book banning, and the deadly threat of bureaucracy.My favorite thing that Kate says: “When you love a book, it also loves you.”You can find Kate Quinn at her website, KateQuinnAuthor.com. She’s on Instagram @KateQuinn5975.We also mentioned:Patricia C. Wrede’s Fantasy Worldbuilding ChecklistSylvie’s Book Dresses on Instagram @sylviefaconcreatricefranceThe Tumblr post about hope that became a poem and a parody of Dr. Seuss.Music: purple-planet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.