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? Join the After Dark Circle on Substack. Supporters get full access to every post and our private community of romance fans.
Connect with us: Follow @WeReadSmut on Instagram and use the hashtag #WeReadSmut to share your current read.
Episodes
61 episodes
Marina Hill on Subverting the Billionaire Trope in Romance
The billionaire trope is a staple in romance, but what happens when the hero decides he doesn't actually want the money? Today, I’m talking with Marina Hill about her journey from writing fanfiction to crafting intricate stories that challenge ...
Fat Girl Smut on Early Release (IYKYK) and Fat Positive Romance
Everyone deserves to see themselves reflected in every single trope and microtrope. Today, I am joined by Meg of Fat Girl Smut to examine the radical joy of seeing larger bodies in romance and the specific humor of the coming early microtrope. ...
Charish Reid on The Realities of Academia & Writing Across Genres
I am always curious about how authors take their real-world expertise and use it to craft stories that make us feel seen. This week, I chat with Charish Reid, an author who navigated the world of academia as an adjunct instructor before making ...
Babe in Library on Second Chance Recs You’ll Actually Love
Second Chance Romance usually gets a meh from me. I am a fool me once, shame on you type of reader, so reruns in romance rarely make my list. But today, Lisa from Babe in Library joins the podcast to flip the script on its head. She shares why ...
10+ Autistic Rep Romance Recommendations: Shifting the Narrative on Neurodivergence
In honor of Autism Acceptance Month, I am sharing a curated list of books that feature authentic autistic representation. This episode is deeply personal. I share the story of my son’s diagnosis and how that journey led to my own realization th...
L.M. Bennett on Flipping the Script on Earned Happily Ever Afters
I am always curious about how my favorite authors take tropes I sometimes struggle with and make them absolutely delicious. In this episode, I chatted with L.M. Bennett, the author behind some of the most soulful and beautifully complicated Bla...
Danielle Allen on The Shift From Indie to Traditional Book Deals
Does the romance industry still fear fat Black women on book covers? USA Today Bestselling author Danielle Allen joins the podcast to discuss her transition from a prolific indie career to traditional publishing with Bramble. She explains why h...
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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. ...
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...
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 ...
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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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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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....
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
