Smart Podcast, Trashy Books: A Romance Novel Podcast
Sarah Wendell
Each week on Smart Podcast, Trashy Books, Sarah Wendell interviews authors, readers, reviewers, bloggers, publishing professionals, editors, and librarians about romance novels, which are among the most popular genres in fiction worldwide. Popular guests include: Ilona Andrews, Robin Bradford, NPR's Barrie Hardymon, Chuck Tingle, Sarah J. Maas, and Rachel Aaron. Amanda Diehl, co-pilot of the SS Smart Bitches, makes regular appearances with maximum silliness, especially during our Romantic Times Rewind episodes, where we take a look at old issues of Romantic Times Magazine (1981-2018). Frequent topics include romance novels, the way the genre is changing, and the brilliant and interesting people who read, write, and produce it, and issues common among romance readers. Plus, we always recommend some books we're reading and really enjoying. Learn more at SB-TB.com/Podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 5, 2023 • 37min
561. Love and Money with Meredith Goldstein from the Love Letters Podcast
Meredith Goldstein is the host of the Boston Globe’s Love Letters podcast, and she’s been writing their Love Letters advice column for years.The newest season of Love Letters has arrived, and this season is all about money. We talk about the stories from couples featured in this season, and what she’s learned about love and relationships writing an advice column for so long.And of course, we talk about books, too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 28, 2023 • 41min
560. Reading Conundrums & Habits
Amanda and I are answering listener questions about reading when you’re burnt out, saving the last book of a series, and mood reading. We also talk video games, cozy horror especially, and more.Thank you to Agatha, Malaraa, Clay, Ellen, and Abigail for the questions for this episode! ...We also mentioned:The Merlin Bird identification app Shana's review of The No-Show by Beth O'Leary...Coupon! Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with @lumedeodorant and get over 40% off your starter pack with promo code SARAH30 at lumedeodorant.com/SARAH30! #lumepodMusic: Purple-planet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 21, 2023 • 58min
559. Essentials of Accessibility with Jeff Adams
Jeff Adams, who you may know as one half of The Big Gay Fiction Podcast, is also a credentialed expert in web accessibility, and he’s co-written a new book, Content for Everyone.This book is for creative people to help ensure that all your online content, from websites to social media posts, is accessible to everyone.We’re going to talk about the top four things you can do to make your web content accessible, and spoiler: they’re really not difficult.Then, of course, we’ve got tv and book recs, because that’s what we do here.music: Purple-planet.comCoupons! Honeylove.com/SARAH - Get 20% off! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 14, 2023 • 43min
558. The Myths of BookTok, with Chels Ebooks
Chels, who is on TikTok as Chels_Ebooks, has been doing a series debunking the myths of BookTok, and let me tell you, when people say everything old is new again? Myths about the sales power of readers on social media are recycled with every new platform.We’re going to debunk some myths about romance and TikTok, and cover what Chels really loves about TikTok, too.And we have some very special discussions of classic romances and even more classic cover art. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 7, 2023 • 45min
557. Behind the Scenes with Karelia Stetz-Waters
Amanda and I make a startling discovery at the start of this episode! Author Karelia Stetz-Waters collects clitoris images and research and we have so many questions. After we take a side trip into the French Olympic mascot design, and cliteracy, a term coined by Sophia Wallace.Then we talk about Karelia’s latest book, Behind the Scenes, which was one of Amanda’s favorite books.Music: purple-planet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 31, 2023 • 37min
556. Excellent Romance & Recs with Olivia Waite
Olivia Waite joins me to talk about her New York Times romance column, and her best-of coverage for 2022. We talk about her favorite books of 2022, about writing grief, writing her column, and what’s next. We take a side trip into discussing the emotionally intense books that are popular now, and the properties that had an emotional wallop on us when we were younger. …Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with @lumedeodorant and get over 40% off your starter pack with promo code SARAH at lumedeodorant.com/SARAH! #lumepod...Music: purple-planet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 24, 2023 • 53min
555. Fashion and the State of Blogging with The Fug Girls
Jessica Morgan and Heather Cocks, also known as The Fug Girls, have been blogging since 2004, and, like me, have seen a lot of changes in the business world online. We talk about how it seems like there’s yet another media contraction happening, and how that affects us, and about their new Substack, Drinks with Broads.But of course, we also talk about fashion, stylists, and current trends, too. If you’re still looking at pictures from the Oscars, this episode will be a treat....Music: purple-planet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 17, 2023 • 49min
554. All Things Bramble and Romance with Monique Patterson
In February, Tor announced their new romance imprint, Bramble, and we had some questions about it!Fortunately, VP and Executive Editor Monique Patterson sat down with me on her first day in her new position at Bramble to tell us all the things.We also discuss how romance has changed and evolved over her career as an editor, and about being a nerd about many things including sword collecting and baking.My favorite part of this conversation: How James Baldwin and Zora Neale Hurston influenced Monique’s acquisitions as a romance editor.…Music: purple-planet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 10, 2023 • 35min
553. Improv Improving Your Writing with Kelly Farmer
Kelly Farmer is the author of the Out on the Ice series of hockey romances, including her latest, Calling the Shots, and a former improvisational actor. We talk about cover artist magic, her series, and identify a few reason why hockey is such a popular setting for romances.Then we talk about how improvisational theatre exercises and techniques influence and improve writing. So if you’re stuck in your writing, maybe this will help. I also finally learn to say Megan Rapino’s name correctly. WIN! ...This is one of the episodes I didn’t run due to the HarperCollins Union strike. Kelly Farmer and I recorded this episode in October 2022 in anticipation of her book Calling the Shots. I want to thank Kelly for her understanding and for her support of the strike. I’m very happy to share this episode with you now. …Music: purple-planet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 3, 2023 • 41min
552. Contemporary Romance, RomComs, and Grief with Melonie Johnson
Not all contemporary romances are romcoms, but many are, and Melonie Johnson joins me this week to talk about both, and about her new romcom, Too Wrong to Be Right. She too wrote a character who works in the funeral industry, so we talk a bit about that, too! The talk about different burial options and discussion of the funeral industry starts at 14 minutes in.We also touch on burnout in the publishing industry, and grieving the professional relationships that are lost.Music: purple-planet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
