We Read Smut: Bookish Conversations for Romance Readers

Afleveringen

• How to Find Bookish Friends and Romance Community Outside Social Media 03.07.2026 14min

  Making new friends as an adult is notoriously difficult, and when your primary hobby is reading high-heat romance novels, it can feel even harder to find your people. As an introvert who gets overstimulated quickly, the thought of trying to build a community through endless social media scrolling can feel exhausting. In this solo season premiere, I am breaking down easy, low-pressure ways to find bookish friends who match your energy and your favorite tropes (both virtually and in real life) ...
• Organizing My Physical & Digital Library as a Mood Reader 29.05.2026 17min

  Organizing your bookshelves or Kindle starting to feel chaotic? In this Season 3 finale, I’m taking you behind the scenes of how I organize my physical and digital romance library without making it a full-time job. We’re talking sapphic shelves, BIPOC-only shelves, signed books, Kindle collections, Handy Library, StoryGraph, and how it all works together so I stop double-buying books and always know what to read next. In this episode, you’ll learn: How I organize my main bookshelf on camer...
• Adrienne Thurman on Finding Yourself at Every Phase of Life and Don’t Tell Me How It Ends 22.05.2026 33min

  Reconnecting with your creative identity after a massive life shift is challenging, especially when that shift is motherhood. Today, I am talking with debut author Adrienne Thurman about her new contemporary rom-com, Don't Tell Me How It Ends. We have an incredibly honest conversation regarding the isolation of the first year of parenting, processing postpartum depression, and how navigating those heavy phases of life can actually spark the desire to write gloriously unlikable women who get t...
• Swati Hegde on Love Beyond Reasonable Doubt and Second Chance Romance 15.05.2026 45min

  Second chance romance has been testing my boundaries lately. After years of avoiding the trope, I am finally seeing the appeal of a hard-earned reunion. Today, I sit down with Swati Hegde to discuss her new book, Love Beyond Reasonable Doubt. We explore the sharp tension of the courtroom, the massive differences between the Indian and US legal systems, and the importance of writing neurodivergent leads with depth and soul. Swati Hegde is the author of Love Beyond Reasonable Doubt, Can...
• Marina Hill on Subverting the Billionaire Trope in Romance 08.05.2026 38min

  The billionaire trope is a staple in romance, but what happens when the hero decides he doesn't actually want the money? Today, I’m talking with Marina Hill about her journey from writing fanfiction to crafting intricate stories that challenge genre standards. We discuss the anti-billionaire lead in Royal Pain, the vital importance of representing undiagnosed chronic pain, and why the enemies-with-benefits trope remains undefeated. Marina Hill is a multifaceted author romance to histori...
• Fat Girl Smut on Early Release (IYKYK) and Fat Positive Romance 01.05.2026 58min

  Everyone deserves to see themselves reflected in every single trope and microtrope. Today, I am joined by Meg of Fat Girl Smut to examine the radical joy of seeing larger bodies in romance and the specific humor of the coming early microtrope. We talk about the empathy gap, why erotica is a necessary space for healing, and how to find beauty in your own body exactly as it is right now. Key Takeaways Why reading about experiences different from your own is the fastest way to increase your unde...
• Charish Reid on The Realities of Academia & Writing Across Genres 24.04.2026 43min

  I am always curious about how authors take their real-world expertise and use it to craft stories that make us feel seen. This week, I chat with Charish Reid, an author who navigated the world of academia as an adjunct instructor before making her mark in both contemporary and paranormal romance. We discuss her book Mickey Chambers Shakes It Up, the importance of showing rather than telling chronic illness, and why we are both strictly "no" on Ouija boards. Charish also shares how she uses he...
• Babe in Library on Second Chance Recs You’ll Actually Love 17.04.2026 53min

  Second Chance Romance usually gets a meh from me. I am a fool me once, shame on you type of reader, so reruns in romance rarely make my list. But today, Lisa from Babe in Library joins the podcast to flip the script on its head. She shares why this trope sits at the top of her favorites and how it offers a unique sense of safety. We also announce a big project coming this September for the We Read Smut community. Lisa, better known as Babe in Library on Instagram and YouTube, is an avid reade...
• 10+ Autistic Rep Romance Recommendations: Shifting the Narrative on Neurodivergence 10.04.2026 11min

  In honor of Autism Acceptance Month, I am sharing a curated list of books that feature authentic autistic representation. This episode is deeply personal. I share the story of my son’s diagnosis and how that journey led to my own realization that I am likely on the spectrum as well. We talk about the power of teach me romances, why grumpy female leads are a breath of fresh air, and how these authors (many of whom are neurodivergent themselves) create spaces where we feel seen, validated, and ...
• L.M. Bennett on Flipping the Script on Earned Happily Ever Afters 03.04.2026 29min

  I am always curious about how my favorite authors take tropes I sometimes struggle with and make them absolutely delicious. In this episode, I chatted with L.M. Bennett, the author behind some of the most soulful and beautifully complicated Black Sapphic romances on my shelf. We dive into her journey from writing Matlock-inspired courtroom dramas as a kid to centering Black queer women who are allowed to be messy, soft, and wholly themselves. L.M. also shares why she refuses to skip the hard ...
• Danielle Allen on The Shift From Indie to Traditional Book Deals 27.03.2026 36min

  Does the romance industry still fear fat Black women on book covers? USA Today Bestselling author Danielle Allen joins the podcast to discuss her transition from a prolific indie career to traditional publishing with Bramble. She explains why her stories center fat Black joy rather than the struggle of a body type. We examine how her background as a life coach helps her characters move from mere existence to a life of reclamation and confidence. Danielle Allen is a USA Today bestselling autho...
• The Curvy Literary on Curating Your Algorithm to Find Plus-Size Romance 20.03.2026 41min

  What happens when you realize the romance novels you love don’t feature characters who look like you? Keshia, the creator behind The Curvy Literary, joins the podcast to share how she reclaimed her reading life by centering plus-size heroines. She explains how she intentionally trained social media algorithms to serve her the representation she craved and why she launched a podcast to explore the human experience through long-form conversations. Keshia is the host of The Curvy Literary podcas...
• Diverse Rivals to Lovers: Sapphic, BIPOC, and Plus-Size Rep 13.03.2026 14min

  There is something absolutely delicious about rivals to lovers, and I am not talking about enemies to lovers. While the two often get lumped together, a true rivalry focuses on competition and the drive for success. Whether it is a workplace promotion, a sports tournament, or a professional title, I LOVE IT! Today, I explore why this is my all-time favorite trope and share a curated list of recommendations ranging from office competitions to professional wrestling, including several titles cu...
• Sabina Nordqvist on The Power of Own Voices in Spoonie Romance 06.03.2026 36min

  In this episode, Sabina Nordqvist shares her journey as a disabled author, discussing the importance of authentic disability representation, the impact of internalized ableism, and how to create meaningful characters with lived experiences. We delve into tropes to avoid, the significance of own voices, and practical tips for writers and readers alike. Key Topics: Sabina’s author journey and the decade-long path to publicationChallenges and stigmas around self-publishing and traditional routes...
• The Cure for Book Amnesia: Why We Forget What We Read with Lisa Zawrotny 27.02.2026 46min

  Have you ever opened a book only for your tracking app to tell you that you’ve already read it? This week on We Read Smut, Alesia is joined by productivity coach and host of the Positively Living podcast, Lisa Zawrotny, to discuss book amnesia. We dive into the science of why our brains filter out repetitive plot patterns, how to use "active recall" to remember your favorite stories, and why rereading a book is actually a productive form of self-care. Lisa Zawrotny is the founder of Positiv...
• Deanna Grey on Finding Her Voice in New Adult Romance 20.02.2026 26min

  What do you do when your corporate job feels like a dead end during a global pandemic? You bet on yourself. This week on We Read Smut, Alesia sits down with Deanna Grey, the author of Outdrawn and the Mendell Hawks series, to discuss her leap from a terrible office job to becoming a successful indie author. We dive into why she focuses on the New Adult genre, her journey from writing MF pairings to Sapphic romance, and how she managed to make Alesia actually enjoy an amnesia trope. Deanna Gre...
• Shelbey Monae on Deconstructing Literary Excellence + Healing Through Smut 13.02.2026 54min

  Are you reading for the heart, the mind, or the coochie? This week on We Read Smut, Alesia is joined by Shelbey Monae, the powerhouse behind Shelbey and the Book Club and co-host of The League of Extraordinary Readers podcast. Shelbey shares her journey from an English major trained to strictly analyze literature to finding the radical joy and healing power of Black indie romance. Shelbey Monae is a bookish content creator, YouTuber, and community leader dedicated to diversifying reading habi...
• How to Get Romance Books for Free or Low Cost 06.02.2026 16min

  Does the book haul culture of social media make you feel like your shelves (or your wallet) aren't enough? While curated, exclusive hardcovers are beautiful, romance is for everyone, regardless of your budget. This week on We Read Smut, Alesia breaks down a complete toolkit for keeping your TBR full and your joy high without breaking the bank. From insider digital strategies to maximizing your library card, learn how to access thousands of stories at little to no cost. Key Takeaways The Digit...
• Nikki Clarke on Black Women in Speculative Romance 30.01.2026 32min

  Why settle for a boring reality when you can have a Space Daddy who is actually obsessed with you? This week on We Read Smut, Alesia sits down with MFA poet and speculative fiction author Nikki Clarke to discuss her mission to center Black women in the stars. We dive into why Nikki trades contemporary drama for expansive alien worlds, the anthropological roots of her unique world-building, and why her heroes are unapologetically soft and in love. Nikki Clarke has always loved a good love stor...
• The Weekend Reader on The Reading Comprehension Crisis 21.01.2026 54min

  Is there actually a reading comprehension problem in the bookish community, or is it an expectation problem? This week on We Read Smut, Alesia welcomes back Lynell (aka The Weekend Reader) to dive deep into her viral Substack article on literacy, the evolution of content creation, and why reading diversely is the ultimate tool for expanding your perspective. Whether you're a creator struggling with the algorithm or a reader looking to get more out of your favorite tropes, this conversation is...