We Read Smut: Bookish Conversations for Romance Readers
We Read Smut, hosted by Alesia, empowers romance readers to embrace their love for smut and dive deep into the diverse world of this captivating genre. Tired of feeling judged for your love of steamy reads? Join us as we create a safe space to unpack the complexities and joys of smut, challenge societal norms, and celebrate the power of inclusive storytelling.
We'll explore everything from trope deep dives and author interviews to thought-provoking discussions on topics like body positivity, LGBTQ+ representation, and reclaiming the word "fat." We'll also tackle reading challenges, offer "shelf help" for your TBR pile, and venture into the realms of fantasy romance, offbeat erotica, and the vibrant world of BookTube.
Whether you're a seasoned smut reader or just dipping your toes into the genre, this podcast is for you. Subscribe now and join the conversation! Follow us on Instagram @WeReadSmut and use the hashtag #WeReadSmut to share your thoughts.
Episodes
54 episodes
The Curvy Literary on Curating Your Algorithm to Find Plus-Size Romance
What happens when you realize the romance novels you love don’t feature characters who look like you? Keshia, the creator behind The Curvy Literary, joins the podcast to share how she reclaimed her reading life by centering plus-size heroines. ...
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Season 3
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Episode 11
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41:34
Diverse Rivals to Lovers: Sapphic, BIPOC, and Plus-Size Rep
There is something absolutely delicious about rivals to lovers, and I am not talking about enemies to lovers. While the two often get lumped together, a true rivalry focuses on competition and the drive for success. Whether it is a workplace pr...
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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14:31
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 ...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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36:24
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...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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46:43
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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 ...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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26:14
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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....
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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54:05
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 ...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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16:00
Nikki Clarke on Black Women in Speculative Romance
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 wome...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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32:57
The Weekend Reader on The Reading Comprehension Crisis
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 literac...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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54:03
Ella Dawson on Politics, Escapism, and Diverse Romance | Rebel Ever After
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...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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42:47
The Ultimate Romance Beginner’s Guide: Spice Levels, Bookish Terms, and 2026 Reading Challenge
Are you new to the world of romance and feeling overwhelmed by the endless acronyms and specific spice ratings? Whether you’re trying to figure out if a book is sweet and subtle or scorching, or you simply don't know your HEA from your HFN, thi...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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32:23
My Top Reads & Audiobooks of 2025 + What is Smut?
Wow! Season Two has been incredible, and we're closing it out with a deep dive into the core question of this podcast: What is smut, exactly? I’m breaking down my personal spice rating scale, defining the difference between romance and erotica ...
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Season 2
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Episode 21
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39:40
Jen Trinh on Grumpy Heroines, Authentic Storytelling, and Flaws That Make Us Relatable
If you've been listening to We Read Smut for any amount of time, you know I love grumpy female main characters! Today, I'm joined by author Jen Trinh to discuss why flawed, nuanced characters make for the most compelling stories, using her popu...
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Season 2
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Episode 20
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33:07
Ally's Shelf on 100 Days of Queer Fantasy + Cozy Recs
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 cr...
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Season 2
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Episode 19
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40:51
Sarah T. Dubb on Midlife Romance and a Hallmark Movie Deal
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 wit...
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Season 2
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Episode 18
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38:03
Tay Mo'Nae on Urban, Contemporary, and Dark Romance: Writing Across Black Romance Genres
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 contem...
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Season 2
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Episode 17
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33:21
StoryGraph vs. Goodreads: Why I Switched & Never Looked Back
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 obsesse...
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Season 2
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Episode 16
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22:40
Saam King on Orc Romance for Curvy Women of Color
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 Aut...
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Season 2
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Episode 15
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32:37
Lisa Zawrotny on Shame-Free Productivity Tips for Bookworms
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 app...
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Season 2
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Episode 14
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48:23
Leonor Soliz on Cozy Billionaires & Healed Latine Heroes
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 <...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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52:01
Ash Raven on Monster Romance, Sci-fi Romance, and All the Tropes
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 represen...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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33:15
My Reading Confessions: Rapid Fire Q&A
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, read...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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28:03
Jade Hernández and Aleera Anaya Ceres on Writing Romance with a Dual Identity
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 u...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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37:28
Ricki Readss on Your Book Event Survival Guide
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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1:04:45
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Ambar Cordova on Creating Diverse Small Town Romance
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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50:29
