We Read Smut: Bookish Conversations for Romance Readers

Deconstructing Literary Excellence + Healing Through Smut with Shelbey Monae

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.

Black Women in Speculative Romance with Nikki Clarke

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 story in books and on film. Her favorite on-screen love declarations, in no particular order, are Darius and Nina under the viaduct, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth in the field (Knightley and MacFadden version), and Dwayne and Whitley at the wedding. Nikki doesn't mind a little weird (or raunch) mixed in with her romance and hopes to contribute to more Black women love stories. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing.Key TakeawaysThe Flexibility of Speculative Fiction: Nikki prefers speculative worlds over contemporary ones because reality relies on drama that can feel boring; speculative fiction allows her to focus on culture and linguistics as the primary drivers of the story.Grounding in Tropes: Nikki uses fated mates as a grounding concept ,which then gives her the freedom to improvise and explore complex character dynamics.Unique World-Building: Nikki’s aliens are anything but stereotypical; they feature unique physical traits like gold wings and long, gray tongues.The "Soft" Hero Requirement: Nikki is incapable of writing a hero who doesn't immediately adore and want to care for the female main character, ensuring her books stay cushy and sweet.Creative Sovereignty: A proponent of writing the stories she wants to read, Nikki often changes established genre rules—like allowing her vampires to walk in the sun—to better serve her specific romantic plots."If aliens come down here and they’re fine, it’s for us. We deserve it." This week, we challenge you to step out of the real world and pick up a speculative romance that centers Black joy and otherworldly love.Connect with Nikki: WebsiteInstagramAlien Reading OrderThank 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 Reading Comprehension Crisis? Deeper Analysis, Intentional Reading, and Bookish Content with The Weekend Reader

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 a must-listen.Weekend Reader is a book blogger and bookstagrammer who enjoys sharing recommendations with busy readers. Weekend Reader reads and reviews contemporary fiction, specifically romance, but enjoys reading widely. Additionally, Weekend Reader is committed to supporting indie authors with an emphasis on authors of color in her recommendations. When the Weekend Reader isn't reading or reviewing, she's baking and snacking. In this episode, we're discussing:Comprehension vs. Expectation: Lynell argues that while literacy issues exist, the real "crisis" in the book space is the clash between long-form analysis and short-form algorithms that reward shock value over critique.The Value of Intentional Reading: Reading isn't just about self-insertion or relating to a character; it's about curiosity and understanding the "what if" behind an author's choices.Diversity as a "Window": Following the philosophy of authors like Kennedy Ryan, Alesia and Lynell discuss how diverse books act as windows into adjacent cultures (like Chilean or Mexican traditions) that broaden empathy and reading skills.The "Mojo" of Content Creation: Many creators feel burnt out trying to "stay the same." Lynell and Alesia emphasize that it is okay to evolve, change your favorite tropes, or shift toward more analytical content.Romance as a Resilience Tool: Romance often pushes back against the idea that certain people aren't capable of being loved, providing a vital counter-narrative to formulaic storytelling."Reading diversely can actually improve our reading comprehension, but we can also read for fun—and that’s okay too." This week, we challenge you to find a window book—something outside your lived experience—and see the world through a new lens.CONNECT WITH Weekend Reader:Blog PostSubstackInstagramThank 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.

Rebel Ever After: Politics, Escapism, and Diverse Romance with Ella Dawson

In a world that often feels bleak, can a romance novel be more than just a fluffy distraction? This week on We Read Smut, Alesia sits down with author and sex culture critic Ella Dawson to discuss her podcast, Rebel Ever After, and the vital role of progressive romance in modern society. From debunking consumerism in book collecting to exploring why we need diverse stories now more than ever, this episode is a deep dive into the heart of the genre.Ella Dawson is an NYC-based sex and culture critic and the author of But How Are You, Really, a romance novel about college reunions and millennial angst. She is also the host of the Rebel Ever After podcast about progressive romance novels. She was once internet famous for having herpes, but that’s a whole other story. Ella is proudly bisexual, anxious, and addicted to Diet Coke. Follow her on social media as @brosandprose.Key Takeaways:The Buying Books Hot Take: Ella and Alesia tackle the idea that overbuying books is evil consumerism. They argue that being intentional with your money—like supporting Black debut authors or indie bookstores—is a net good for the industry.The Power of Progressive Romance: Romance isn't just escapism; it is a space to envision a world where everyone gets a happily ever after, regardless of marriage or children.Reading as a Window or Mirror: Alesia shares how reading diversely isn't a hardship but a way to learn about adjacent cultures and see oneself reflected in stories, moving away from boring high-level algorithm picks.Historical Romance as Political Commentary: Ella highlights how historical settings allow authors to engage with heavy topics like suffrage, classism, and colonialism with a unique sense of freedom.A Millennial Cranky Romance: Ella discusses her debut novel, which explores the specific generational experience of coming of age between the Obama and Trump eras while navigating burnout and economic precariousness."How you spend your money has a huge impact on what type of authors are given opportunities." This week, we challenge you to skip the major algorithm recommendation and pick up a book by a diverse indie or debut author!CONNECT WITH Ella Dawson:WebsiteBut How Are You, Really (Book)InstagramRunning 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.