The Curvy Literary on Curating Your Algorithm to Find Plus-Size Romance 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

The Curvy Literary on Curating Your Algorithm to Find Plus-Size Romance

March 20, 2026 • We Read Smut • Season 3 • Episode 11

0:00 | 41:34

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. She explains how she intentionally trained social media algorithms to serve her the representation she craved and why she launched a podcast to explore the human experience through long-form conversations.

Keshia is the host of The Curvy Literary podcast and the voice behind the Bookstagram of the same name, where she spotlights plus-size romance and body-positive storytelling. Discovering romance novels with heroines who looked like her helped heal her relationship with her body and embrace self-love, and now she’s passionate about amplifying stories where every body deserves a happily-ever-after. When she’s not talking books, Keshia loves traveling, exploring coffee shops and local art, catching live music, getting lost in bookstores, and spending time outdoors.

Key Takeaways:

Keshia shares her transition from a science major focused on anatomy textbooks back to leisure reading sparked by the Bridgerton series.
She details the specific steps she took to curate a bookish feed that prioritizes plus-size bodies over standard industry defaults.
We explore the logistical side of Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs) and how to secure books from indie authors through newsletters and specialized marketing teams.
Keshia offers a refreshing perspective on the ARC trap and why she now prioritizes mental health and boundaries over follower counts.
Alesia and Keshia discuss how niche platforms like podcasts offer unique access to major publishers and publicists regardless of download numbers.
We flip the script on the pressure to finish every book and discuss why it is okay to DNF (Do Not Finish) an ARC

Connect with The Curvy Literary

Instagram

Substack

Podcast

Resources Mentioned:

Amanda (Talk About Swoon): Instagram | Storygraph mARCh Challenge

BOOKS/AUTHORS MENTIONED:

Mary Warren Instagram | Amazon

Running list of books mentioned (Doc)

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