Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

#24. An Interview with Nalini Singh

Surprise, surprise, Nalini Singh was in our hotel room, so we tied her to a chair and interviewed her. She's live, not on Skype, and it's a really fun and casual conversation because we didn't plan to do this. We had the microphone and a half hour to chat. We did attempt to get real answers out of her, and were totally unsuccessful, despite threats and stares of doom.

You'll hear about how Nalini approaches her writing and her series, and we talk about heroines, reality television, reading romance, and Gwen Stefani, too.

Here are some of the books, foods, and songs we talked about in the podcast:

And, here is… read more »

23. What Are You Reading?

Taking advantage of the ever-so-advanced technology of mp3 voicemail, this podcast features several of you who called in to share what you're reading, or were reading when you called. I also mention a book I recently finished - and, as a special bonus, I interview my mother-in-law, Charlene, about audiobooks she has enjoyed.

If you like the Podcast, you can subscribe to our feed, or find us at iTunes. You can also find us at PodcastPickle.

You can email us at sbjpodcast@gmail.com, or you can call and leave us a message at our Google voice number: 201-371-DBSA. Please don't forget to give us a name and where you're calling from so we can work your message into our next podcast.

This week's music was provided by Sassy Outwater, and this track is called "Bambous," by a Parisian group called Caravan Palace. You can find their album, "Caravan Palace," on iTunes, and you can find the band on MySpace and Facebook. You can also buy the song as an mp3 at Amazon.com.

And, as per your requests, here's a list of the books… read more »

22. The Romance Canon

This is a big ol' podcast: we start out talking briefly about novellas and short digital reads that Jane liked, but our main topic is the canon. What romances form the genre's canon for historical, contemporary, and paranormal? We talk in circles a good bit (sorry about that) and we discuss what a canon is, and why it means different things to different groups. Writers and readers, for example may have different ideas of what their romance canon would be.

I'm sure there's many writers you think have been left off, and so if you'd like to add or subtract from our list, you can email us at sbjpodcast@gmail.com.

Or, and this is new, you can call and leave us a message at our Google voice number: 201-371-DBSA. If you want to tell us why we're wrong (or right!) about something, leave us a message, and please don't forget to give us a name and where you're calling from so we can work your message into our next podcast.

Calling the Podcast

There's a new podcast coming soon (probably tonight or tomorrow) but we have a new feature to try for the podcast: voicemail!

I know. WE ARE ON THE CUTTING EDGE. Next I'll have a switchboard with giant phallic plugs to push into switches to connect your call.

Jane and I set up a Google voice number so you can, if you wish, call us and leave a message - one that we might include in a future podcast, so be aware! You're being recorded for us to broadcast. I promise not to edit you so you say the opposite of what you're saying, but I don't promise that I won't edit you so you say how much you love Elmo (I'm kidding!).

Let's give the voicemail a try, shall we? Please feel free to call, tell us your name (whatever name you want to use!) and where you're calling from (Bonus points if you're calling from Greenland!) and tell us: what book are you reading right now, and how do you like it?

The number to call is… read more »

21. It’s DABWAHA Time!

We're talking about what categories will be in this year's DABWAHA Tournament of romance novels, and what books we think should appear in some of the categories. Also - I was typing too close to the microphone, and I apologize for the tappity tap tap. 

You'll get a sneak peek of the books likely to appear on the ballot -- and get ready. On March 7 & 8 we'll be taking reader suggestions for one book in each category, so you'll have a chance to make sure your favorite book of 2011 makes it onto the nomination slate. 

Here are the books we talked about in this week's episode: 

… read more »

20. The Mysterious Hymen

We're back! And it's podcast time - wherein we talk about what YOU think the misplaced hymen should be called.

We also decided that you should pick the winner, so you've made your choice from the selection below and let us know what you think is the best entry. Please note: there were some late entries (heh heh) to the contest that don't appear in the podcast but do appear in the voting. Here are the results! 

var host = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://" : "http://");document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + host + "sbtb.wufoo.com/scripts/widget/embed.js?w=2uqBtqtuslmVlf4WsleKoUB4uvWEKd9TznCzR6ErDzk=' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));

OOPS! Forgot the list of books we discussed in this episode! Here you go: 

This week's music was provided by Sassy Outwater, and this track is called "Dragons," by a… read more »

19. Buying, Reading and Reviewing

This was recorded when I was coming down with the flu and pneumonia, and I'm slightly out of breath - and coughing. I edited out most of the coughing but if I missed one, I apologize.

This episode includes Sarah's nefarious plans for Romantic Times in 2012 in Chicago, reader mail from Sarah's inbox about buying books, picking self published books for review and how we do it, pitching books for review and how not to do it, and reacting and responding to reviews.

Jane also tries to recommend books to Sarah.

Here are the books we discuss in this episode:

And yes - more Peatbog!

The music this week was provided by Sassy Outwater, and the track is called "Nyup" and it's by the Peatbog Faeries from their 2007 album What Men Deserve to Lose. You can find them at their website, or at iTunes.

If you like the Podcast, you can subscribe to… read more »

18. Coltish! A visit with our listener email.

We are back with a new podcast! AND I have a new microphone that KICKS IN OMG about 4 minutes in, but after that I sound a lot better. Which is funny because I was coming down with the flu at the time we recorded. Heh.

This week we are all about Listener Mail. We're discussing our werewolf best-of, pack dynamics, happy drunks,  books that make you cry, coltish legs, and the discomfort zone.

We've also got More Peatbog!

The music this week was provided by Sassy Outwater, who heard my plea, and your pleas, for MORE PEATBOG. This week's music is called "Room 215" and it's by the Peatbog Faeries from their new CD Dust. You can find them at their website, or at iTunes.

And here's the list of books we talk about in this episode:

17. Ridiculousness Threshold: 29 December 2011

We're back for one last podcast in 2011, and we're talking about the ridiculousness threshold, why hyperbole is so common in some books, and why that threshold varies for different readers depending on genre. We also talk about the point at which we can no longer accept character or plot insanity and just can't enjoy the book anymore.

We also talk a bit about books that we love and at the time of recording were reading. So it's a bit in the past but hey, good book recs never go stale.

16. Shopping, Reading, and Renaming the Podcast: 16 December 2011

It's a new podcast! WITH a WHOLE NEW NAME! YAY!

Seriously. Sorry for the delay. Blame iTunes. We had to change the name of the podcast because iTunes didn't like the word "Bitches." I cannot imagine why!

If you subscribe via iTunes, please UPDATE your LINK: The New iTunes link is live here. The old podcast will probably disappear someday. The new podcast is listed under 'DBSA Romance Fiction Podcast.'

LOOK. I NAMED IT. And I didn't name it something bizarre! Jane must be so proud. 

Anyway. 

15. What We’re Reading: November 28, 2011

We're back, with more podcasting fun, this time as we chat about what we're reading. We discuss cursing in romance - and whether there's more cursing and blue language in romance published recently. And we talk football. NFL, specifically, and which players are the most hated.

The music this week was provided by Sassy Outwater, who knows a heaping ton of musicians and finds original music for us for each episode. This week's music is "Sonata for Piano, Op. 26: Fuga: Allegro Con Spirito" and it's performed by Jade Simmons. It's from her album Revolutionary Rhythm, which is on sale as an mp3 at Amazon or iTunes.

As usual, here's the list of books we talk about in this episode: 

read more »

14. Sarah Mayberry Interview: November 15, 2011

It’s podcast time again! This week we have an epic interview with author Sarah Mayberry. That’s right, all the way to Australia for our first author interview. This podcast is long - just over an hour - but It was SO fun. We talk about writing for soap operas, her own books, language differences, and the elusive qualities of Vegemite.

Some of the sound quality may suffer a bit from time to time, but that’s not something I could correct. Blame the long distance miracle that is Skype.

The music this week was provided by Sassy Outwater, who knows a heaping ton of musicians and finds original music for us for each episode. This week’s music is called “Forgotten” and it’s by Jason Hemmens. Forgotten is on sale as an mp3 at Amazon, or you can buy the album, Welcome to Reality, at Amazon, or at ITunes.

13. Reader Mail: October 18, 2011

It’s podcast time!  This week: we peek in the mailbox and answer listener email. Are paranormals and vampire romances on the way out? Have we reached saturation?

What surprises does our email inbox hold for us? And what book will Sarah read aloud this time? All the answers are here for your enjoyment. And, as always, here’s a list of the books we talk about:

Sandra Hill’s Kiss of Pride

The music this week was provided by Sassy Outwater, who knows a heaping ton of musicians and finds original music for us for each episode. This week’s music is called “The Naughty Step” and it’s by Peatbog Faeries from their new CD Dust. You can find them at their website, or at iTunes.

As for the podcast, if you like it, you can subscribe to our feed at Feedburner or at iTunes. You… read more »

Dear Bitches, Smart Authors Podcast: Getting Cross Examined about EIKAL

For this edition of the Dear Bitches, Smart Authors podcast, Jane asks Sarah Really Really Hard Questions about Everything I Know About Love, I Learned from Romance Novels, known affectionately as EIKAL.

Seriously, Jane had no mercy. Tough Questions. It was like being cross examined about your book. It was awesome!

I hope you enjoy the interview, and get a little insight into the book - which is now available at bookstores and libraries near you.

12. Getting Cross-Examined About Everything I Know About Love - Oct. 3, 2011

Jane interviews Sarah and asks merciless questions about Everything I Know About Love, I Learned from Romance Novels, Sarah's new book, which is in stores and libraries now. We also talk about romance novels we love that feature wonderful female relationships. read more »