Welcome to Smart Podcast, Trashy Books! Each Friday, I talk with authors, readers, reviewers, bloggers, publishing professionals, editors, and librarians, or combinations thereof, and share the fun and mayhem with you. Frequent topics include romance fiction, the brilliant and interesting people who read, write, and produce it, and issues common among romance readers, along with a hefty side order of silliness. Plus, we always recommend some books we’re reading and really enjoying.
And speaking of recommendations, are you new to the podcast? Welcome!
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, fear not: here are some of our most popular episodes – so far!
Lisa from Shrewsbury sent us an email and two contenders for Cover Snark – so we did Cover Snark live! Check the show notes for a link to the covers, and tell us what you notice first! Happy belated birthday Lisa! Thank you for the wild thumbs and the shifter bonanza! Are you ready for the covers Lisa sent us? I hope so! If you liked this episode, let me know! In the comments, via … Continue reading 511. Cover Snark Live: Long Thumbs and Shifter Mayhem with Amanda→
This week, my guest is Emily Henry, whose new romance Book Lovers is out this past week! We talk about slow burns, book tour, puppies, the inspiration for the lead character, Nora, and the Icy City Ex Girlfriend Trope. Thank you to Ann_Knee, Clairatrix, and the enthusiastic members of the Culture Study Discord’s romance channel who were very excited about this interview alongside me. And thank you to publicist Heather Mill who set the interview … Continue reading 510. Book Lovers with Emily Henry→
This week, Amanda and I catch up on a whole bunch of things, including college visits, airboats, and dating! We also have listener email, including recommendation requests and compliments galore! I know some of y’all love the episodes where Amanda and I hang out and talk books and everything, so if you like this one, let me know? Email, comment, tweet at me, whatever – if you’re into these episodes, let me know! CW/TW: discussion … Continue reading 509. Catching Up and Looking Ahead at Book Recs with Amanda→
Jess Michaels is celebrating the release of her 100th book, 100 Nights with the Duke! That’s a lot of books, and a long career of close to 20 years! We talk about how she’s celebrating this milestone, and we take a look back at how her experience of the romance industry has evolved over two decades. Along the way we cover: Commemorative tattoos The biggest changes she’s experienced in her career How romance readership has … Continue reading 508. Celebrating 100 Books with Jess Michaels!→
Authors Lucy Eden and Katee Robert join me to talk about their very successful Kickstarter campaigns! Lucy’s is currently running and is fully funded, and Katee is in the midst of fulfillment of her Kickstarter, which was fully funded in about five minutes. We talk about why they went with Kickstarter, the essential elements of a successful campaign, and what they’ve learned from the experience so far. … Music: Purple-planet.com
This is part two of the special crossover event with Bonkers Romance as we recap of A Lady of Rooksgrave Manor by Kathryn Moon. Part one with me, Melody and Jenny is over at Bonkers Romance, so hello and welcome Bonkers Romance listeners! I’m so happy to have you here today! Be Ye Warned – this episode is extremely nsfw and is a recap of the second half of the book, so spoilers indeed. Also, … Continue reading 506. Part II of the Bonkers Romance Recap of A Lady of Rooksgrave Hall→
Jesse Q. Sutanto joins me today to talk about the release of Four Aunties and a Wedding, and we talk about all the wedding drama we’ve experienced from behind the scenes and as guests. We talk about weddings with thousands of guests, runaway brides, cultural clashes and the weight of wedding expectations. I would love to know: Do you have a wedding drama story? Did you witness some serious nuptial shenanigans? Please tell me all … Continue reading 505. Wedding Tales with Jesse Q. Sutanto→
My guest today is author Farah Heron, whose latest book, Kamila Knows Best, is an updated spin on the Jane Austen classic Emma! Along the way we talk about: Updating a unique, challenging character Addressing the age gap between the characters The importance of hot wet saris Curly hair care techniques Lipstick recommendations What are your favorite Emma retellings? And what are your go-to lip color recommendations? … Music: purple-planet.com
My guest today is Jane Buehler, author of The Forest Bride and The Village Maid. I have several favorite parts of this conversation, including our discussion of cozy fantasy, addressing and undoing misconceptions about sex in romance, and sourdough starters and bread making. So fantasy, writing, sex, and bread. Several excellent topics! What about you? What have you learned or unlearned from sex in romance? Do you have a sourdough starter? What’s its name? Do … Continue reading 503. Bread, Cozy Fantasy, Sex, and Romance with Jane Buehler→
My guest today is Kate Spencer, author and host of the podcast Forever 35. Her new book, In a New York Minute, is out this week, and y’all, this book was so charming and fun. In this conversation, we talk about: Vulnerability Projecting narratives onto strangers Vintage rom-coms She’s a romance fan, and a rom-com fan, and we had a lot of fun. … What about you? What is your favorite vintage rom com? Or not … Continue reading 502. Classic Rom Coms with Kate Spencer→
It’s episode 501 – onward toward a thousand! I start with mini interviews with Shana and Elyse, and then Amanda and I have more listener email, questions, recommendations, and many, many jokes. Yay! Thank you for celebrating with us! … Key Questions: What should we do for our next merch opportunity? What SBTB phrases have stuck with you? What is the best kind of French fry? … Our music in this episode is a custom … Continue reading 501. More Celebratory Mayhem with Amanda!→
We did it! It’s episode 500! Amanda and I have email and recommendations, your absolute favorite books, weird questions, and a LOT of mayhem. Plus mini interviews with Shana, Tara, Carrie & Elyse. There are so many great questions, clips, and conversations, you guessed it, there will be two episodes celebrating all the fun. … KEY QUESTIONS: What would you do in the wasp/hair/bus situation? What’s the worst commute you’ve ever had? What would an … Continue reading 500. Mayhem with Amanda!→