Shelbey Monae on Deconstructing Literary Excellence + Healing Through Smut Artwork

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.

All Episodes

We Read Smut: Bookish Conversations for Romance Readers

Shelbey Monae on Deconstructing Literary Excellence + Healing Through Smut

February 13, 2026 • We Read Smut • Season 3 • Episode 6

0:00 | 54:05

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:

Books & Authors Mentioned

A Virgin Surrogate & A Underboss (Amazon)

Jesmyn Ward

Natasha Bishop

ML Bash (specifically for poly romance)

KC Mills (The Collective series)

Nikki Payne