We Read Smut: Bookish Conversations for Romance Readers | Podcast Guru

Details

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.

Recent Episodes

Jessica P. Pryde on Running a Pop-Up Bookshop, Intentional Reading, and Systemically Excluded Romance

Connecting with long-time romance readers brings such a deep understanding of genre conventions to the podcast. This week, I am sitting down with Jessica P. Pryde to discuss her transition from public librarian and Book Riot editor to founder of the Why Choose Pop-Up Romance Bookstore. We talk about the importance of curating shelves filled with systemically excluded voices, how to combat the algorithm by reading intentionally, and why romance tropes are conventions rather than copies of othe...

46 MIN

Monique Fisher on Black Rom-Coms, Theater Directing, and Subverting Tropes

What does it take to direct a play, write television sitcom specs, and transition into creating vibrant Black rom-com universes? Today, I am sitting down with Los Angeles-based romance author Monique Fisher to discuss her artistic journey, her theater and playwriting roots, and why she is never precious about scrapping full manuscripts when the story isn’t hitting the mark. We get into the craft lessons of sitcom writing, why the most memorable meet-cutes embrace the cringe, and how she delib...

42 MIN

Frederick Smith on Black Queer M/M Romance, Higher Ed, and Authentic Representation

Today on the podcast, we have a very special treat: our first man on the show, and someone who writes deeply authentic, Black queer M/M romance! I am sitting down with author and higher education administrator Frederick Smith to discuss his seven-novel journey, writing queer love stories set across California, and navigating a full-time university career alongside a prolific writing schedule. We dive into the importance of own voices in the M/M romance space, paying homage to trailblazers lik...

46 MIN

Curvy Girls Read Romance on The Best He Falls First, Down-Bad Heroes, and Plus-Size Rep

There is something so delicious about the "he falls first" romance trope. This week, I am sitting down with my friend Aimee from Curvy Girls Read Romance for a trope deep dive into down-bad heroes, pining, and why this trope shines so brightly in plus-size romance. We discuss body neutrality vs. body positivity in bookish spaces, moving past 2000s media toxicity, and why we will never get tired of heroes who fall fast and hard for their women. Plus, we share a massive stack of recommendations...

51 MIN

Laura Chinn on Screenwriting vs. Novel Writing, Reproductive Timelines, and Adult Sisterhood

What happens when a Hollywood screenwriter and director steps out of the writer's room to write her very first fiction novel? Today, I am sitting down with screenwriter, director, and author Laura Chinn to talk about her debut novel, Counting the Days. We get into what it's really like transitioning from TV sitcom writer's rooms to solo novel writing, pre-midlife anxiety surrounding fertility and reproductive timelines, healing inner child trauma, and why she deliberately writes female friend...

38 MIN