We Read Smut: Bookish Conversations for Romance Readers

Finally, a home for the spice you love and the representation you deserve. We Read Smut, hosted by Alesia, builds a judgment-free zone for readers who crave spicy plots and substance. We celebrate high-heat stories and inclusive casts. If you want open-door romance that features every body , you found the right show. What to expect: Trope Breakdowns: We dissect the best (and hottest) tropes in the genre. Author Interviews: Hear the story behind the spice from your favorite creators. Shelf Help: Expert guidance to help you conquer your TBR pile. Inclusive Stories: We prioritize representative leads and diverse voices. Whether you're a seasoned smut reader or just dipping your toes into the genre, this podcast is for you. We leave the shame at the door and celebrate the power of a well-written romance. Join the Circle: Want personalized book picks and a private chat with Alesia?

We Read Smut: Bookish Conversations for Romance Readers is a arts podcast hosted by We Read Smut, with 72 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

We Read Smut hosts We Read Smut: Bookish Conversations for Romance Readers, a arts show with 72 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #7

  Samantha Saldivar on Sapphic Sports Romance, Latina Representation, and Traditional Publishing

  Aug 13, 202637 minS4

  If you've been listening to this podcast for any length of time, you know how much I love showcasing queer authors, queer stories, and sapphic romance. Today, we get a special bonus as I sit down with Sam Saldivar (Samantha Saldivar), a queer Latina author who writes high-stakes sapphic sports romance. We dive into the nitty-gritty of traditional publishing, navigating a surprise four-manuscript backlog, pitching authentic Latina representation in sports, and building long-arc, second-chance romances. USA Today bestselling author Samantha Saldivar is a corporate broadcast producer who has previously worked at the NBC affiliates KGW in Portland and KMTR in Eugene, where she won a regional Emmy award for Best Evening Newscast. During her time studying at the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication, she reported on college sports for campus television and interned at the now-defunct Comcast Sportsnet Northwest. She lives in Portland with her wife. Her debut novel, Play You For It , was a national bestseller. In this episode, we're discussing: How writing purely for the love of the story led to a surprise four-manuscript backlog and a two-book deal with Dell. The structural differences between self-publishing hustle and leaning into traditional publishing infrastructure. Grounding Latina representation in the authentic history and culture of sports—from D1 college basketball to softball. Why second-chance romance requires deep character growth over time for the reconciliation to actually feel earned. Teasers for Play You For It , Running Home To You , and her 2027 soccer romance, Giving Up The Game . CONNECT WITH SAMANTHA SALDIVAR: Website Instagram Substack BOOKS/AUTHORS MENTIONED: Play You For It by Samantha Saldivar (Amazon | Bookshop) Running Home To You by Samantha Saldivar (Amazon | Bookshop) Giving Up The Game (Coming March 2027) by Samantha Saldivar (Amazon | Bookshop) Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake (Amazon | Bookshop) Anita Kelly (Amazon | Bookshop) Join the We Read Smut Lounge . Want early access to next week's episode, entry into our private Discord server, two monthly virtual silent book clubs, and a free monthly e-book? Head over to our Substack and join the paid community to access goodies and get early access to episodes. Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in these show notes are affiliate links. If you make a purchase or borrow a book through these links, I may earn a small commission at zero extra cost to you. Connect with Alesia: Storygraph Instagram Running list of books mentioned ( Doc ) This podcast was produced by Galati Media . Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective .

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  Episode #6

  Aya Winter on How Trend Readership Is Ruining Character Arcs and Reader Expectations

  Aug 6, 202641 minS4

  Trend readership is a fascinating topic, especially when readers enter a new genre without understanding the underlying character arcs or structural conventions. This week, I am sitting down with multi-genre indie author Aya Winter to break down what happens when hype-driven reading trends take over the fantasy and romantasy spaces. We dive into the hero’s journey, why readers confuse long-standing genre conventions with plagiarism, the creative autonomy of indie publishing, and why we need to retire the pretty-ugly, inexperienced heroine trope once and for all. Aya Winter is a romance novelist, illustrator, and publishing professional with over 20 years of storytelling experience across fiction, poetry, visual art, and music-inspired narratives. She has also spent nearly a decade in children’s book publishing, working from manuscript to print as an illustrator, designer, creative lead, and publishing manager. Her background in communications, branding, and digital media informs a strategic, design-forward approach to her stories and author platform. Known for character-driven narratives with emotional depth, cinematic pacing, longing, and found family in high-stakes worlds, Aya authored the Hartgrave Tellers rockstar romance series. Her debut novel, Through the Glory and the Mess, was released in July 2025. Writing at the intersection of art and story, she views romance as a messy, meaningful craft and calling rooted in emotional truth. In this episode, we're discussing: How fear and early industry rejections stall creative output until life-altering events force a mindset shift toward publishing. Why hype-driven trend readership creates reader expectations that clash with standard fantasy conventions and story arcs. When the hero's journey gets mistaken for copycatting, and why formulaic character growth is essential for meaningful story payoffs. How the financial motivations of traditional publishing limit story variety compared to the creative freedom of indie authors. Why writing confident, experienced women who own their beauty and power makes for far better heroines than tired, self-deprecating tropes. CONNECT WITH AYA WINTER: Website Instagram Amazon BOOKS/AUTHORS MENTIONED: Naima Simone Episode on the Podcast Ember by Naima Simone ( Amazon | Bookshop ) Huntsman by Naima Simone ( Amazon | Bookshop ) Behind Closed Doors by Shain Rose ( Amazon | Bookshop ) Lilac by B.B. Reid ( Amazon | Bookshop ) Crucible by B.B. Reid ( Amazon | Bookshop ) Kelley Armstrong ( Amazon ) Zoey Draven ( Amazon ) Alpha Breeds by Milana Jacks ( Amazon ) Fae-ted Kings by Milana Jacks ( Amazon ) A Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell ( Amazon | Bookshop ) https://youtu.be/W68Iqk8Kz4g Join the We Read Smut Lounge . Want early access to next week's episode, entry into our private Discord server, two monthly virtual silent book clubs, and a free monthly e-book? Head over to our Substack and join the paid community to access goodies and get early access to episodes. Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in these show notes are affiliate links. If you make a purchase or borrow a book through these links, I may earn a small commission at zero extra cost to you. Connect with Alesia: Storygraph Instagram Running list of books mentioned ( Doc ) This podcast was produced by Galati Media . Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective .

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  Episode #5

  Gabriella Gamez on Librarians in Love, Brother’s Best Friend, and Latinx Character Dynamics

  Jul 30, 202643 minS4

  Let's talk about the absolute chaos demon that these librarians' love lives are. This week, I am sitting down with Gabriella Gamez to talk all about her Librarians in Love series. We dive into her books The Next Best Fling , Kiss Me Maybe , and her brand-new release, Second First Dates . Gabby shares her journey navigating traditional publishing, the intentional choices behind writing ace, graysexual, and demisexual characters, and how romance novels allow us to unpack deeply complex family dynamics like machismo, parental favoritism, and the beauty of found family. Gabriella Gamez is a Mexican American author from South Texas. She writes about incredibly messy, well-meaning women trying their best and accidentally falling in love. When she’s not writing, she can be found drinking copious amounts of coffee, wasting too much time playing video games, and obsessing over other people’s books. In this episode, we're discussing: How working in a physical library environment during a global shutdown sparked the initial concepts and characters for her debut novel. Why the financial freedom and structural boundaries of traditional publishing appealed to her over the total control of the indie author route. When visibility on the asexual spectrum shifts from a missing media trope to a deeply personal reclamation of graysexual and demisexual identities on the page. How centering two Latinx leads opens up a vital space to challenge intergenerational trauma, parental favoritism, and heteronormative expectations within families. Why writing an unlikable heroine provides a realistic look at how childhood wounds and family dynamics shape the protective cycles of adulthood. CONNECT WITH GABRIELLA GAMEZ: Website Instagram BOOKS/AUTHORS MENTIONED: The Next Best Fling by Gabriella Gamez ( Amazon | Bookshop ) Kiss Me Maybe by Gabriella Gamez ( Amazon | Bookshop ) Second First Dates by Gabriella Gamez ( Amazon | Bookshop ) Adrienne Thurman Episode Margherita Scialla Episode Running list of books mentioned ( Doc ) Join the We Read Smut Lounge . Want early access to next week's episode, entry into our private Discord server, two monthly virtual silent book clubs, and a free monthly e-book? Head over to our Substack and join the paid community to access goodies and get early access to episodes. Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in these show notes are affiliate links. If you make a purchase or borrow a book through these links, I may earn a small commission at zero extra cost to you. Connect with Alesia: Storygraph Instagram Running list of books mentioned ( Doc ) This podcast was produced by Galati Media . Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective .

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  We Read Smut: Bookish Conversations for Romance Readers

  Melanated Reader on Mobilizing One Million Readers for Black Literature and Fighting Post-Literacy

  Jul 27, 202631 minS4

  What started as a simple vision to mobilize the bookish community has turned into an entire movement aiming to pull one million people together to read books by Black authors. In this special bonus episode, I am sitting down with Crystal, the founder and force behind Melanated Reader Forte. We dive into her One Million Black Books initiative, what it actually means to live in a post-literate society, how fast-forwarding through content is shortening our attention spans, and practical ways we can demand reprints of out-of-print Black literature while supporting indie authors. Crystal (Melanated Reader) Forte is a 19-year educator, PhD candidate, book influencer, and community organizer. Across social media and in-person community spaces, she builds inclusive literacy initiatives that bring readers of all ages together around Black literature—from children's books to banned classics and open-door romance. In this episode, we're discussing: The core mission behind the One Million Black Books summer movement and how families can participate together across age groups. What living in a post-literate society means for short-form content consumption and our daily attention spans. Why building a sustained 35-minute daily reading habit improves critical literacy and standardized testing stamina for students. Practical ways readers can ask publishers hard questions about backlogs and demand reprints of out-of-print Black literature. How to support indie Black authors through platforms like Kindle Unlimited without breaking local budgets. CONNECT WITH CRYSTAL: Etsy Shop Instagram Melanated Reader Instagram 1 Million Black Books Threads Substack Website BOOKS/AUTHORS MENTIONED: Antoinette Sherelle Wild Women Don't Wear No Blues: Black Women Writers on Love, Men, and Sex is a nonfiction collection edited by author Marita Golden Zora Neale Hurston J. California Cooper K.C. Mills (They Call Him Nas) Christina C. Jones Alexandria House Kennedy Ryan Join the We Read Smut Lounge . Want early access to next week's episode, entry into our private Discord server, two monthly virtual silent book clubs, and a free monthly e-book? Head over to our Substack and join the paid community to access goodies and get early access to episodes. Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in these show notes are affiliate links. If you make a purchase or borrow a book through these links, I may earn a small commission at zero extra cost to you. Connect with Alesia: Storygraph Instagram Running list of books mentioned ( Doc ) This podcast was produced by Galati Media . Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective .

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  Episode #4

  Katie Duggan on Giving Marginalized Characters the Spicy Happily-Ever-Afters They Deserve

  Jul 23, 202651 minS4

  Who says that romance is only for able-bodied or thin characters? In this episode, Northern Virginia romance author Katie Duggan joins the microphone to look at how we can take regular contemporary romance tropes and subvert them to center fat, neurodivergent, disabled, and queer representation. We discuss her journey from high school creative writing magazine editor to falling into the romance genre during lockdown, how she uses her day job at a massive chain bookstore to advocate for diverse shelf placement, and the intense process of moving past childhood religious shame to find your true identity. Katie Duggan is a New England transplant currently living in Northern Virginia. She writes romances that give fat, neurodivergent, and queer characters spicy happily-ever-afters. When Katie is not writing or being kept up at night by her characters, she can be found drinking iced chai lattes, going to therapy, convincing people to read her favorite books, and doing whatever hobbies give her brain the most dopamine at the moment. In this episode, we're discussing: How to build a romance plot around an autistic lead by addressing the sensory challenges of intimacy through an explicit sex curriculum. Why relying purely on factual research falls short when writing disabilities like Type 1 Diabetes, making sensitivity readers vital for capturing lived experiences. When navigating purity culture clouds your understanding of your sexuality, and how uncovering demisexuality in therapy helps reframe sex positivity. How to challenge the toxic expectations of bounce-back culture by writing mid-size mothers dealing realistically with postpartum depression. Why the traditional third-act breakup serves as a necessary mechanism for character growth, forcing partners to choose emotional maturity over comfort. This conversation serves as an essential reminder that true happily-ever-afters are built on the gritty reality of being believed and accepted for exactly who you are. CONNECT WITH KATIE DUGGAN: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katiedugganwrites/ Linktree : https://linktr.ee/katieduggan BOOKS/AUTHORS MENTIONED: From the Start by Katie Duggan ( Amazon | Bookshop ) Back to Me by Katie Duggan ( Amazon | Bookshop ) On My Side by Katie Duggan ( Amazon | Bookshop ) Beloved by Toni Morrison ( Amazon | Bookshop ) Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston ( Amazon | Bookshop ) Scribbles Bookshop Friends to Lovers Romancelandia Amazon Kindle Unlimited Running list of books mentioned ( Doc ) Join the We Read Smut Lounge . Want early access to next week's episode, entry into our private Discord server, two monthly virtual silent book clubs, and a free monthly e-book? Head over to our Substack and join the paid community to access goodies and get early access to episodes. Connect with Alesia: Storygraph Instagram Running list of books mentioned ( Doc ) This podcast was produced by Galati Media . Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective .

  ListenShow Notes

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