We Read Smut: Bookish Conversations for Romance Readers

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.

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 ...

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. 

Swa...

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 undef...

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 ...

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 stri...

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 ...

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 neurodiv...

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 ...

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 a...

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...

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 compe...

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 publicati...

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 pro...

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 mana...

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...

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 thou...

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 so...

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...