Spill the Smut

What if the publishing experience felt personal, fast, and genuinely supportive—and the books brought the heat? I sit down with MK Ahearn, the romantasy author behind Broken Flames and the founder of Azala Press, to talk about building a small press that acts like a trusted partner. From a pandemic spark that led to her first manuscript to a growing catalog of romance and fantasy romance, MK share...

Behind the Books: Inside the World of a Publishing Editor Ever wondered what it's really like to work in publishing? Spoiler alert: it's not just reading books all day in a cozy armchair. In this episode, I sit down with Kelly, an acquisitions editor who pulls back the curtain on the realities of the publishing industry. Kelly shares her journey into publishing—a path that began with a s...

Building a Bookish Brand and Navigating Conventions How does a passion for reading transform into a thriving business and community? Olivia from Pages and Journeys shares her remarkable journey from bookstagram influencer to Etsy shop owner, revealing the thoughtful philosophy behind her popular bookish merchandise brand, Dreamy Pages Co. What began with stickers and crocheted book sleeves has evo...

Breaking Hearts with Shakespeare "The Casualty of Us" draws inspiration from Shakespeare's Hamlet, following the journey of Ophelia, a philosophy major beginning her freshman year of college just three months after surviving a kidnapping. What sets this narrative apart is its thoughtful structure—divided into two theatrical acts spanning 18 months of character development.  The nove...

What happens when the darkest corners of desire meet the written page? Author, Holly Guy invites us into her world of villains who would "burn the whole world down just to turn up the heat." Our conversation with Holly reveals the powerful philosophy behind her work: creating spaces where women can confront trauma, desire, and darkness without apology. She brilliantly distinguishes betwe...

Dark Romance with a Secret Baby Twist Ever wondered what happens when you can't find the exact romance novel you're craving? For Nikki Ash, the answer was simple: write it yourself. In this captivating conversation, the USA Today bestselling author shares the unexpected journey that transformed her from an English literature teacher into a prolific romance novelist with nearly 40 books t...

The Evolution of Bookstagram The digital book world has transformed dramatically since its inception, and few people have witnessed this evolution as closely as Genesis, the creator behind Whispering Chapters. Long before BookTok exploded and before most of us even knew what "Bookstagram" meant, Genesis was sharing her love of stories through carefully filtered photos and thoughtful revi...

Ever wondered how book influencers get those coveted Advanced Reader Copies months before release? Lissa pulls back the curtain on the mysterious world of ARCs, publisher relationships, and the authentic journey of a multi-genre bookstagrammer. Whether you're an aspiring book influencer or simply curious about what happens behind those perfectly staged bookstagram photos, this episode offers...

The unsung heroes behind your favorite authors' seemingly effortless social media presence, newsletter magic, and seamless book launches are often their personal assistants—and Lauren represents the gold standard in this demanding profession. In this engaging deep dive, she pulls back the curtain on what it actually takes to support multiple bestselling authors while maintaining her sanity an...

"He understood the assignment," as I welcome my roomie as the first guest on Spill the Smut. The conversation flows effortlessly from the highlights of our week (our recent wedding and Taylor Swift's new album announcement) to the heart of what it means to share your life with someone whose bookshelves overflow with spicy romance. The conversation takes a delightfully frank turn whe...

Welcome to Spill the Smut, where I am tearing down the walls of embarrassment around romance. This podcast creates a judgment-free zone for everyone who loves their books with a side of steam. Each week, I'm sitting down with the fascinating people behind your favorite spicy reads—authors who craft those unforgettable scenes, creators who bring book worlds to life, and industry insiders who k...