All these posts by SB Sarah:
Comic Style Covers Keep On Coming
It’s Comics, but it’s not Comic Sans! Recently Cat Sebastian revealed on Instagram the cover for her new book, Star Shipped, coming out in March 2026: Vintage comic style! I dig it. It conveys an era without being exactly specific, and it’s a style that’s nostalgically familiar. I’ve noticed this style as a growing trend in romance. Now, usually when I notice a trend, it’s after two similar occurrences. That’s a coincidence, I know. This … Continue reading Comic Style Covers Keep On Coming
Podcast
684. Thief of Night with Holly Black
The second book in Holly Black’s Night duology, Thief of Night, is out now, and I was so excited to talk with her about it. We start right off by talking about creepy places – like, what kind of magic comes out of Jersey? Then we talk about world building, starting with atmosphere instead of plot, and the intricacies of shadow magic in her duology. Plus, we squee about books we’ve loved, magic powers we … Continue reading 684. Thief of Night with Holly Black
Transcript Announcement
Podcast 683, Your Transcript has Arrived
Giveaway: Romance Reader’s Journal
Hey, guess what? I wrote (part of) a book! This one right here, Romance Reader’s Journal: A Log for Book Lovers & Lovers in Books! This is, as the title states, a prompted journal for romance readers, created by Chronicle Books. They asked me to write portions of the book, and wow, was that fun! I think the section I’m most proud of are the recommendation lists. I wanted to make sure that current and … Continue reading Giveaway: Romance Reader’s Journal
Podcast
683. RT Rewind: August 1996 Reviews
We’re going back to August 1996 – that’s a bit of distance – to take a peek at the new releases and the book reviews in Romantic Times magazine. We’re back in the era of time travel, a scifi imprint named Avonova, and probable worms. NSFW worms. As usual, we learn astonishing amounts of unexpected information from this magazine. For example: we’re both obsessed with the 1996 movie Twister and we have many thoughts on … Continue reading 683. RT Rewind: August 1996 Reviews
Reflecting on “Guilty Pleasures”
This piece of literary mayhem is exclusive to Smart Bitches After Dark, but fret not. If you’d like to join, we’d love to have you! Have a look at our membership options, and come join the fun! If you want to have a little extra fun, be a little more yourself, and be part of keeping the site open for everyone in the future, we can’t wait to see you in our new subscription-based section … Continue reading Reflecting on “Guilty Pleasures”
After Dark Folks: When Doth Thou Wish to Zoomey Crafte?
This piece of literary mayhem is exclusive to Smart Bitches After Dark, but fret not. If you’d like to join, we’d love to have you! Have a look at our membership options, and come join the fun! If you want to have a little extra fun, be a little more yourself, and be part of keeping the site open for everyone in the future, we can’t wait to see you in our new subscription-based section … Continue reading After Dark Folks: When Doth Thou Wish to Zoomey Crafte?
Newsletter Image Loading Issues: We’re Working on It!
Thank you to everyone who emailed me to let me know that the images in our SBTB Daily email newsletter weren’t loading this week! Those were some very bare newsletters. YIKES. I’m honestly baffled and we’re working on it. This post is both to let y’all know, and also to test the newsletter images in tomorrow’s edition. I have to add another image to this post so I’m typing more words – scintillating behind the … Continue reading Newsletter Image Loading Issues: We’re Working on It!
Podcast
682. Pivoting Between Historical and Contemporary Romance with Valerie Bowman
Valerie Bowman returns to talk about her new book, The Honeycrisp Orchard Inn, out September 9. Valerie has written over 30 historical novels but when asked by her agent if she’d be interested in pivoting to contemporary, Valerie jumped on the opportunity. Please join us as we puzzle through the reasons why historical romance isn’t as popular, and what led to the pivot that so many authors are making. Plus Valerie shares the differences and … Continue reading 682. Pivoting Between Historical and Contemporary Romance with Valerie Bowman
Podcast
681. RT Rewind: July 2016 Ads & Features
It’s July 2016, and we’re back in the time machine to check out the ads & features from this issue of Romantic Times Magazine! We spot an SBTB friend in the letters to the editor, and we talk about romances translated into English, the appeal of the wounded hero, and we spot an ad that’s very clearly some Tay-fic, as I’m calling it. We also discuss an article about Kickstarter in romance – and this … Continue reading 681. RT Rewind: July 2016 Ads & Features
