We Read Smut: Bookish Conversations for Romance Readers

Do you love romance but feel intimidated by long fantasy series? Are you looking for diverse queer representation beyond the typical male/male romances? This episode of We Read Smut is your cozy guide! I'm joined by Ally of Ally's Shelf, the creator of the viral "100 Days of Queer Fantasy" series, to discuss how to dive into fantasy without the huge commitment. We cover amazing...

Are you looking for an inspiring midlife romance that celebrates self-discovery and second chances? This episode is for romance readers and birders alike! On We Read Smut, we're talking with author Sarah T. Dubb about her debut, Birding with Benefits , and her upcoming small-town romance, Honey Bee Mine . We dive deep into the journey of women in their forties finally turning their love and c...

Are you a fan of Black romance across multiple genres, from cozy contemporary to spicy dark romance? This week on We Read Smut, I'm joined by author Tay Mo'Nae to discuss her unique journey writing across urban romance, dark romance, and contemporary romance. We dive into what gives her books that signature "Tay Mo'Nae feel," why she writes unlikable, hyper-independent fem...

Are you a mood reader who feels stressed out by a traditional TBR? Are you ready to ditch the clunky layout of Goodreads for a superior, user-friendly reading tracker? On this solo episode of We Read Smut, I'm going to tell you why I am obsessed with StoryGraph. I'll explain how this app completely changed the way I track my reads, discover new books, and enjoy my hobby—especially as a d...

Are you searching for monster romance that features curvy heroines and truly inclusive fantasy worlds? If you love a good Orc romance but are tired of the same old characters, this episode is for you! On We Read Smut, I'm talking with Indie Author Saam King about her wildly fun and diverse Kingverse series. Saam and I discuss why it’s crucial to have diversity in monster romance, how she crea...

Do you ever feel like you are drowning in your to-do list and then feel really guilty for picking up a book? You are not alone! Today on We Read Smut, I'm joined by my dear friend Lisa Zawrotny to talk all about how we can take a shame-free approach to reading. We discuss why it's important that we spend time enjoying our hobbies, finding micro-moments when life feels really overwhelming...

Are you tired of these high stakes dramas and emotional angst in your books? I know I was! Today on We Read Smut , we're getting really cozy with author Leonor Soliz, who is going to be sharing all about her low-angst romances featuring healed heroes and rich found families . As a therapist by day, Leonor integrates well-developed characters into her stories, discussing why consent and settin...

Are you ready to take your monster romance and sci-fi romance reading to another level? This week on We Read Smut, we're joined by Ash Raven to talk about their unique author journey, their books, and why writing an eclectic variety of representation is so important to them. Ash and I dive into our shared hot takes on certain romance tropes and why we need more child-free and diverse characte...

Ever wondered about the person behind the mic? Today, I'm turning the tables and putting myself in the hot seat for a fun, rapid-fire Q&A. On We Read Smut, I'm answering all your burning bookish questions about my personal preferences, reading habits, and sharing a few hot takes along the way. Get ready to find out my favorite tropes, why I'm a "villains only" girl, an...

From gritty contemporary to fantastical shifters, today's guest is a USA Today Bestselling author with a dual identity. On We Read Smut, we're exploring the incredible worlds that Jade Hernández, who also writes as Aleera Anaya Ceres, creates under both of those names. Join us as we discuss Jade's journey from a disappointing publishing experience to the freedom of indie publishing,...

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the thought of attending a book convention or author signing? Do you want to meet your favorite authors but feel anxious about how to prepare or what to do? On We Read Smut, we're tackling the anxiety of attending bookish events with our special guest, Ricki of Ricki Reads. Ricki and I share our personal strategies for everything from finding the right events to...

Have you ever dreamed of a small town where every love story feels fresh, emotional, and perfectly real? Today on We Read Smut, we're joined by Ambar Cordova, who masterfully crafts these worlds in her small town multicultural romances. Join us as Ambar shares her incredible journey from avid reader to a romance author who writes relatable, messy, and realistic love stories with happy endings...

You might think book banning is a thing of the past, but it is happening now in communities all over the United States. Today on We Read Smut, we're pulling back the curtain on this critical issue with a special guest, Rachel of Reads with Rachel. Join us as we demystify what book banning really is, who it targets, and what we as parents, readers, and lovers of smut can do to make a differenc...

Romance novels are an incredible way to navigate all aspects of our lives, including grief. Do you find yourself struggling to process loss or looking for stories that reflect the complexities of healing? Today on We Read Smut, we have a special interview with author Rae Shawn, who shares her personal journey of healing after loss and how she beautifully integrates themes of grief into her romance...

Beyond the steamy scenes, how do our favorite romance novels talk about sexual wellness? Are you tired of problematic language like "clean" or "dirty" when discussing sex and STIs in books? Today on We Read Smut, we're diving into the nuances of consent, communication, and ditching judgmental language around sexual health with Jillian of Only One Bookshelf. Join us for a f...

Ever wonder what really goes on behind the scenes of publishing, or how authors navigate both traditional and indie routes? Are you craving a dark romance that pushes boundaries and reimagines classic tales? On We Read Smut, we're pulling back the curtain with USA Today Bestselling Author Naima Simone. Get ready for a candid conversation about the publishing process, the importance of BIPOC r...

For some, it's sacrilege. For others, it's pure magic. Today, we're talking about annotating books, and we're going to demystify it with the fantastic Deshea of Books With Deshea. Whether you're a seasoned annotator or have always been hesitant to mark up your precious books, this episode of We Read Smut will transform your perspective on connecting with your reads. Deshea...

Ready to dive into the captivating world of Black Sapphic Romance, where authentic representation takes center stage? In this episode of We Read Smut, Alesia sits down with author Arii (they/she), also known as Aricka Alexander, to explore their unique author journey and commitment to crafting inclusive queer love stories. From writing about Black characters from a young age to creating an alterna...

Are you drowning in a sea of "must-read" books, constantly adding to an overflowing TBR, and struggling to find a book that truly resonates with you ? In this episode of We Read Smut, I’m going to help you navigate the vast world of book recommendations and discover your perfect next read. Say goodbye to disappointing, overhyped books and hello to reads that genuinely excite you! Key Tak...

Reading slumps can happen to even the most passionate book lovers, leaving you feeling unmotivated and disconnected from your favorite stories. In this season finale episode, podcast host Alesia dives deep into understanding reading slumps and provides practical strategies to reignite your reading passion.  Key Takeaways: Recognize Common Causes of Reading Slumps Stress and burnout  Information ov...

What makes historical romance more than just bodice-ripping stories? Historical romance is a genre far more complex and diverse than many readers realize. Far from being limited to Regency-era England and stereotypical duke narratives, this genre offers rich storytelling that explores complex social dynamics, personal growth, and diverse experiences across different time periods and cultures. Clar...

Are You Healing from Purity Culture? Purity culture can leave deep emotional scars that impact our understanding of sexuality, relationships, and self-worth. In this powerful episode, sexuality educator Lauren Elise Rogers joins us to explore how individuals can reclaim their sexual identity and find healing through the transformative power of erotic imagination. Lauren Elise Rogers is a Certified...

In the bookish space, readers tend to incorrectly categorize Black stories. It’s important that we understand the differences between genres and subgenres of Black literature. Join us for an great conversation with Aniya, known as the Well Read Pharmacist, as we break down the nuanced world of urban fiction, urban romance, Black contemporary romance, and urban erotica. Aniya, also known as The Wel...

Why Do We Need to Reclaim the Word "Fat"? In this powerful episode of the podcast, author Leigh Carron opens up about her journey of body positivity, challenging societal norms, and writing romance novels that celebrate bodies of all sizes. Through her personal experiences and literary work, Carron demonstrates how language can be transformed from a weapon of shame to a tool of empowerme...

Are you ready to expand your reading horizons and discover the transformative power of sapphic literature? Join host Alesia and special guest Sarah in Wanderland as they unravel the complexities of lesbophobia, celebrate queer representation, and explore the transformative power of diverse love stories.  Sarah has dedicated their platform and voice to dismantling the shame and guilt that can often...