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 27, 2022 • 42min
512. Secret Clubs and Exclusive Spaces with Laura Hankin
Laura Hankin is the author of Happy And You Know It, A Special Place for Women, and the upcoming book The Daydreams. The paperback of A Special Place for Women is out on May 24th, and as I learned is being adapted for film, too! We talk about the book-to-film adaptation process, and then we take a deep dive into secret societies, exclusive clubs, and how they work (or don’t). We also take a side trip into public vs private or hidden narratives, and why people want to belong.Do you know of a secret club or exclusive society? Do you belong to one? Tell me all about it? I’m very nosy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 20, 2022 • 45min
511. Cover Snark Live: Long Thumbs and Shifter Mayhem with Amanda
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! Click this link here or head to the website, http://sb-tb.com and click "PODCASTS" https://bit.ly/511CoverSnarkIf you liked this episode, let me know! In the comments, via email - it’s fun to try different things and I would love to know if you laughed along with us today.…Music: purple-planet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 13, 2022 • 38min
510. Book Lovers with Emily Henry
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 up....Music: purple-planet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 6, 2022 • 47min
509. Catching Up and Looking Ahead at Book Recs with Amanda
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 of needles in the first 10 minutes.Also: my dogs barked a lot. Sorry about that!What about you? What books are you looking forward to? We’d absolutely love to know!...Music: purple-planet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 29, 2022 • 41min
508. Celebrating 100 Books with Jess Michaels!
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 evolved* Finding your own compass to guide your businessCW: Jess’ father passed away earlier this year, and we talk a little about that near the end of the episode....Music: purple-planet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 22, 2022 • 57min
507. Romance Kickstarters with Lucy Eden and Katee Robert
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: https://bit.ly/EdenKSLoveNotesKatee 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 15, 2022 • 51min
506. Part II of the Bonkers Romance Recap of A Lady of Rooksgrave Hall
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, yes, my brain cannot hold on to "Rooksgrave Hall" vs "Rooksgrave Manor." Apologies. …Music: purple-planet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 8, 2022 • 40min
505. Wedding Tales with Jesse Q. Sutanto
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 about it! ...Music: purple-planet.com...Special Crossover Event! Next week, I'm the guest at Bonkers Romance! On Thursday April 14, we'll be recapping the first half of A Lady of Rooksgrave Manor by Kathryn Moon. And then on Friday, April 15, I'll be releasing part 2 of our recap here! I hope you'll join Melody, Jenny and me for a very wholesome monster erotica recap. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 1, 2022 • 42min
504. Kamila Knows Best with Farah Heron
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 characterAddressing the age gap between the charactersThe importance of hot wet sarisCurly hair care techniquesLipstick recommendationsWhat are your favorite Emma retellings? And what are your go-to lip color recommendations?...Music: purple-planet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 25, 2022 • 40min
503. Bread, Cozy Fantasy, Sex, and Romance with Jane Buehler
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 you like cozy fantasy?…Music: purple-planet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
