Mel Blue was my guest when we discussed Spare – which has become one of my most listened-to episodes – so I asked her back to talk about the narratives of PR, why the weird stories around Kate Middleton grabbed attention worldwide, and why so many people were and are paying attention. On one level it’s a story that originated in gossip about rich and powerful people in an archaic power structure being weird. But … Continue reading 608. Women as Shields and Scapegoats: Talking Kate Middleton with Melissa Blue →
Melissa Blue tweeted that she wanted to talk about Spare. So did I! So, we did! We talk about the book itself, but we also look at the book from our perspective as romance readers and writers, and also as a larger narrative about dismantling propaganda. As Melissa points out, narratives constructed around Meghan and Harry echo narratives we’ve seen about other people, especially women, in public life who are subjected to propaganda to undermine … Continue reading 549. Spare by Prince Harry, with Melissa Blue →
Grumpy Jake by Melissa Blue is a delightful and tightly written novella (with a gorgeous cover!) about a kindergarten teacher developing a relationship with a student’s dad over a time period of about six months. There was actual guffawing coming from my direction and, granted I will acknowledge that I read it while drinking some spiked agua fresca which was more spike than agua fresca (my kingdom for a decent alcoholic agua de jamaica), I’m … Continue reading Grumpy Jake by Melissa Blue →
We’re recapping all kinds of stuff this week, and today: our top five podcast episodes from 2024! Looking at the year overall, these are the top five most listened to Smart Podcast, Trashy Books episodes of the year – and thank you to everyone who listened, recommended, shared, and posted about the show. Special thanks to all our Patreon community members, who helped shape this season and keep the show going each week! Honorable Mention … Continue reading Smart Podcast, Trashy Books: Best of 2024 →
We’re recapping all kinds of stuff this week, and today: our top five podcast episodes from 2023! Looking at the year overall, these are the top five most listened to Smart Podcast, Trashy Books episodes of the year – and thank you to everyone who listened, recommended, shared, and posted about the show. Special thanks to all our Patreon community members, who helped shape this season and keep the show going each week! Honorable Mention … Continue reading Smart Podcast, Trashy Books: Best of 2023 →
There are a number of automation tools I use to run SBTB (and if you’re interested in learning more about the others, let me know in the comments). One is MissingLettr, which creates and posts content from the site to Twitter and Facebook automatically for a year. Currently they’re running a special where new subscribers receive 50% off their first three months of service. NB: the links in this post are affiliate coded, which means if … Continue reading Tools I Use: MissingLetter – 50% Off First Three Months →
Updated as of 1.15.20 4:00pm EST – jump to latest: More information has come to light about the audit of RWA’s actions, which is being run by Carol Ritter. New post: Where Does RWA Go From Here? One of the reasons I believed in RWA was because I saw how hard my friend, Courtney Milan, worked to push the organization’s inclusiveness. Today, the day before Christmas Eve, RWA notified her they’d agreed with ethics … Continue reading WTAF, RWA: Courtney Milan Banned, Suspended From RWA →
It’s that time again where we talk about ALL THE BOOKS! We have a lovely group of new reviewers joining us, which means more books in discussion. Let’s jump right into it! Carrie: I’m prepping for some Clarkesworld Magazine articles so I’m reading Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne and then back to romance. Susan: I’m reading Artificial Condition by Martha Wells because I’m doing my Hugos reading, and I forgot how … Continue reading Whatcha Reading? July 2019 Edition, Part Two →
This is a podcast episode inspired by Twitter! If it’s on Twitter, it’s not quite oral history but it’s close? After a Twitter history thread of hers went viral within the romance community online, I asked Elisabeth Lane, the blogging and cooking genius behind Cooking Up Romance if she’d talk to me on the podcast about it. We start by talking about food and romance, her own recipe development, and her reading, reviewing, cooking, and … Continue reading 288. Tweeting About Romance History: An Interview with Elisabeth Lane of Cooking Up Romance →
Calling all ye romance readers! Serial Box is adding a new romance series to their serialized fiction offerings. The series, Geek Actually, “follows five very different women – each one smart, funny, and facing their own struggles and triumphs.” Written by Cathy Yardley, Melissa Blue, Cecilia Tan, and Rachel Stuhler, Geek Actually will have thirteen episodes in its first “season” and will be available in text and audio. Season one, episode one, titled WTF, will premiere June 7, 2017, with a new installment … Continue reading Geek Actually Cover Debut and Excerpt →
