We Read Smut: Bookish Conversations for Romance Readers

Sabina Nordqvist on The Power of Own Voices in Spoonie Romance

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 routesThe concept of “spoonies” and how chronic illness affects energy and daily lifeThe importance of accurate and complex representation of disability in fictionHarmful tropes in stories about disabled stories or charactersBuilding community and support systems in disabled and chronically ill communitiesPractical tips for authors to handle sensitive representation conscientiouslySabina’s upcoming novel, It’s All in Your Head, featuring chronic illness and fake dating tropesRecommendations for other authors with authentic disability representationThis episode is a crucial listen for writers aiming to depict disability accurately and for readers seeking stories that mirror real, lived experiences. Let’s continue to elevate authentic voices and foster more inclusive storytelling.Connect with Sabina:InstagramBOOKS/AUTHORS MENTIONED:It's All in Your HeadChristine Miserandino (Spoon Theory)Talia HibbertMelissa WhitneySonora ReyesKennedy RyanRunning list of books mentioned (Doc)Thank you for listening to the We Read Smut Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag @WeReadSmut. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast.Connect with Alesia: StorygraphThis podcast was produced by Galati Media. Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective.

The Cure for Book Amnesia: Why We Forget What We Read with Lisa Zawrotny

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 Positively Productive Systems and the host of the Positively Living Podcast. As a productivity coach, she specializes in shame-free systems for multi-passionate creatives, caregivers, and individuals navigating life transitions or ADHD. Lisa believes that doing fun things—like reading romance—is a vital part of a productive, joy-filled life.In this episode, we're discussing:The Filtering Brain: Why the "Reticular Activating System" helps us avoid sensory overload by filtering out repeat patterns in the tropes we binge-read.The 4 D’s of Reading: Lisa’s framework for managing your TBR: Delete what doesn't belong, Delay/Defer (the soft DNF), Delegate (audiobooks), and Do (the actual reading).Active Recall Strategies: Tips for remembering standout moments, from specific tagging in Story Graph to picking out "key plot points" that differentiate similar stories.The Power of the Reread: Why returning to a "comfort book" provides reassurance and allows distracted readers to catch details they missed the first time.Palate Cleansers: How switching sub-genres, spice levels, or formats can break a reading fog and make your next book more memorable.CONNECT WITH Lisa:WebsiteInstagramBOOKS/AUTHORS MENTIONED:Debt by Nina G. Jones (Dark Romance/High Heat)All Superheroes Need PR by Elizabeth Stephens | Episode (Superhero/Monster Romance)Huntsman by Naima Simone | Episode (Diverse Snow White Retelling)Far From Neverland by River Hale (Dark Peter Pan Retelling)Sunny Disposition by Deanna Grey | Episode (Amnesia/Hockey Romance)Running list of books mentioned (Doc)Thank you for listening to the We Read Smut Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag @WeReadSmut. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast.Connect with Alesia: StorygraphThis podcast was produced by Galati Media. Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective.

Deanna Grey on Finding Her Voice in New Adult Romance

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 Grey is a new adult romance author who is a huge fan of yearning, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and finding hiking trails that don't make her feel like she has to watch her back. All her books feature plenty of pining, a bit of spice, and happily-ever-afters. In this episode, we're discussing:The Leap of Faith: Deanna shares how she saved a year’s worth of funds to quit her job and learn the ropes of self-publishing during the pandemic.Market Trends vs. Creative Voice: How Deanna started with market-researched small-town novellas before finding her true voice in New Adult and Sapphic romance.Flipping the Script on Tropes: A look at Sunny Disposition and how placing the amnesia trope at the beginning of the story created a delicious slow-burn experience.New Adult Representation: Why Deanna is dedicated to creating college-age stories for Black girls who are no longer kids but aren't yet fully adults.Therapizing Through Writing: How Deanna uses her characters to explore personal experiences, including oldest daughter syndrome and the pressures of being a breadwinner.CONNECT WITH Deanna Grey:Signed Copies: Scribbles Book Shop and Daylit TalesInstagramBOOKS/AUTHORS MENTIONED:Outdrawn (Amazon)Mendell Hawks Hockey Series (Amazon)They Wouldn’t Dare (Amazon)The Case of Elmwood Ranch (Amazon)Thank you for listening to the We Read Smut Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag @WeReadSmut. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast.Connect with Alesia: StorygraphThis podcast was produced by Galati Media. Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective.

Shelbey Monae on Deconstructing Literary Excellence + Healing Through Smut

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 habits with an emphasis on Black and brown authors. After a transformative health journey involving open-heart surgery, Shelbey has rebuilt her platform as a space for deep critique, laughter, and intentional reading.In this episode, we're discussing:Shelbey discusses how stepping outside the mediocre canon of college literature led her to discover the vibrant world of Black indie romance and Kindle Unlimited.A hilarious and honest look at why regular Tuesday sex on the page isn't enough, and why exploring sexual fluidity and fantasies in books is a vital safe space for Black and brown women.Shelbey explains the importance of moving beyond feelings as facts to understand genre, style, and technique, even when a book scares or triggers you.Why creatures and aliens (specifically Venom) are sometimes more attractive than men in the real world dating scene.How to navigate the celebrity effect of podcasting by setting conscious boundaries with yourself on what to share—and what to keep just for the cousins."Multiple things can be true at once. You can be well-read and read coochie books." This week, we challenge you to pick up a book that challenges your lived experience and find the art in the fun.CONNECT WITH Shelbey Monae:YouTubeBookClubInstagramPodcastBooks & Authors MentionedA Virgin Surrogate & A Underboss (Amazon)Jesmyn WardNatasha BishopML Bash (specifically for poly romance)KC Mills (The Collective series)Nikki PayneShon (Don't Run)Jessie Redmon FausetSadeqa JohnsonThank you for listening to the We Read Smut Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag @WeReadSmut. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast.Connect with Alesia: StorygraphThis podcast was produced by Galati Media. Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective.

How to Get Romance Books for Free or Low Cost

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 TakeawaysThe Digital Goldmine: Your library card is essentially a free subscription to nearly every book ever through the Libby and Hoopla apps. For public domain or historical classics, check out Project Gutenberg and Standard Ebooks.Stuff Your Kindle (SYK) 101: Learn how to navigate massive 24-hour events where authors discount books to $0.00. Alesia highlights the best events for 2026, including the Black Readers Appreciation Event (BRAE) and Romance Bookworms.Follow the Curators: Save hours of scouring lists by following "bookish besties" like Kayla @BookBabeHub and @BestieAndTheBookish, who curate the best deals so you don’t have to.The Reviewer’s Path: Discover how to use NetGalley to access Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs) or Advanced Listener Copies (ALCs). Remember: an honest review is the "currency" that pays for these early copies.Community Swaps: Use local "Buy Nothing" Facebook groups or find Little Free Libraries in your neighborhood to swap physical books with fellow readers.The 2026 "Stuff Your Kindle" Roadmap. Mark your calendars for these upcoming free book events:Dark Romance Stuff Your Kindle Day - This is specifically around Dark Romance and is hosted from Feb 13-15, 2026. You can find more information on their website.Romance Bookworms - This includes about 2000 free books with filters for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ authors. Hosting on April 28th and July 28th in 2026. You can learn more on their website.BRAE - The Black Readers Appreciation Event focuses on Black authors. You will want to check out their website for when the next stuff your kindle day is being hosted.Your time is the only thing you're paying with, so don't waste it on a story that you are not actually enjoying. If a free book isn't sparking joy, give yourself permission to DNF (Did Not Finish) and move on to the next one in your pile!I want to hear from you! What is your favorite way to snag a free book? Send me a DM on Instagram @wereadsmut or leave a comment on Spotify or YouTube!BOOKS/AUTHORS MENTIONED:Episode with Medium Lady ReadsDark Romance Stuff Your Kindle: WebsiteRomance Bookworms: WebsiteBRAE (Black Readers Appreciation Event): Website BookBubFreebooksyThank you for listening to the We Read Smut Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag @WeReadSmut. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast.Connect with Alesia: StorygraphThis podcast was produced by Galati Media. Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective.