Smart Podcast, Trashy Books: Reviews, Interviews, and Discussion About All the Romance Novels You Love to Read

Amanda and I interview Ryanne Probst, Associate Publicist for Berkley Publishing, which is part of Penguin Random House. Ryanne is the creative mastermind behind Berkley Romance’s Instagram account, which is truly beautiful - and a feed both Amanda and I admire. We talk about why Instagram works for books, and what people in the book community and the romance community are looking for on Instagram. We discuss some technical details such as setting up shots and image composition, lighting, props and positioning, as well as how Instagram has helped promote Berkley authors, romance fiction, and boosted other aspects of branding on multiple levels. We talk about how some of her favorite pictures came about, and what apps she recommends for optimizing images - and we learn Amanda’s true feelings about hashtags.

Sarah chats with New York Times bestselling author Alessandra Torre and filmmaker and PassionFlix co-founder Tosca Musk about the filming of Hollywood Dirt, and the process of turning novels into films. We also discuss the launch of PassionFlix, their goals for service, the production schedule, and some behind the scenes fun moments and challenges that made filming memorable. And we have TWO dogs on the podcast! Very exciting. PassionFlix launched on 1 September, and Hollywood Dirt premiered 20 September on PassionFlix. They’ve optioned several other projects, including books from Brenda Jackson, and there are two more original films premiering this fall: Afterburn/Aftershock by Sylvia Day premieres in November, and The Trouble with Mistletoe by Jill Shalvis in December.

Elyse’s mom underwent mega-major surgery for the second time in two years, and Elyse faced down the second surgery with a portable bag of self-care and attention. We talk about what she packed to bring with her to the waiting room and to her mom’s post-operative recovery, with a side trip to call blocking apps, video games, and evil squirrels. Then we return to methods of coping, tools for self care, mindful attention to one’s anxiety, and, of course, how romances help with soothing ourselves. We talk a lot about the upcoming Mary Balogh novel, and the dosages of plot that work best for us. Alternate title for this episode: Boiled Hearts and the Iron Goddess of Mercy

In an interview recorded at RWA, I interviewed Alyssa Cole, and we talked about…clothing! Don’t worry - we start with books and history. And Hamilton! We begin by talking about her upcoming publications, and about the pockets of resistance among people in the South during the Civil War who fought against the Confederacy. Some of her research on that topic appears in A Hope Divided. Then we focus on her spring release from Avon, A Princess in Theory, which combines spam email (or is it?), a young woman studying epidemiology, and a royal dude who comes to the US to do some Official Prince-ing. The cover for this book is stunning - and we take a very cool deep dive into the development of the image. We talk about independent clothing designers, entrepreneurs in fashion design and development, the history and sociology of clothing, and about Adorned By Nicole, who made the dress for the A Princess in Theory cover - and several of Alyssa’s conference clothing items as well. PLUS! We have a special coupon from Adorned by Nicole - thank you, Nicole! You can get 10% off an item from Adorned by Nicole on Etsy with the code ALYSSA10. Yay!

I interview Sherry Thomas about her upcoming book, A Conspiracy in Belgravia, the second book in her Charlotte Holmes series. We discuss where Ms. Holmes is going, how the cover art for this book changed, and we talk about what happens in the story - but don’t worry, there are no spoilers. We also discuss the world that’s been created around Charlotte, and we talk about Sherry’s theory as to why Sherlock Holmes is a figure who is so enticing to rewrite, recast, and revisit. She also shares some of her secrets of world building and some of the details of her research, and of course, we talk about what she’s reading. Plus! I have a link to a free short story from Sherry Thomas that’s part of the Charlotte Holmes world!

In an interview recorded at RWA, Bea and Leah Koch from The Ripped Bodice bookstore in LA look back on their work together after a little over a year, and as Booksellers of the Year award recipients. We talk about creative projects, as there are art installations in the bookstore that are truly stunning, and how they decide which projects to tackle. We talk about their flying books project, and people’s reactions - and how the art in the store helps welcome visitors to the store. We also discuss the reality of being a small business owner, and how much to share of the tough parts of being business women along with the public joys of being bookstore owners. managing anxiety, and yes, lots of talk about Fitzwilliam Waffles. We have such a great time talking that we talk about everything - but we also meander. I almost titled this, “Wait, What Were We Talking About Again?” ALSO! Stay tuned at the end for a special bonus announcement from Bea and Leah!

I interview author Santino Hassell about his new series with Berkley, starting with Illegal Contact, which just went on sale on August 15th. We discuss his inspiration for football romance since he’s a baseball fan, and we talk about his being one of few men writing romance. We cover how he got started as a writer, what writers inspired him to start and keep going, and how he addresses stereotypes of bisexuality in his writing, We also discuss his writing projects with Megan Erickson, and, a special note for all of who who are fans of his work: we describe the perfect bait to trap him, should you wish to do so. (Kidding! That would be creepy.) I also have a giveaway to go with this episode! I have a very, very cool pair of Barons athletic socks, and a copy of Illegal Contact for one of you. There will be a giveaway widget in the show notes for this entry at SmartBitchesTrashyBooks.com/podcast, and you can enter to win. Standard disclaimers apply: void where prohibited. I am not being compensated for this giveaway. Open to international residents were permitted by applicable law. Must be over 18 and prepared to wear some very nifty socks. Whereas, upon participation in the contest as aforesaid, said participant shall nonetheless deliver hereunto all such paraphernalia as reasonably necessary and appropriate.  Notwithstanding anything hereinafter to the contrary, the contest shall nonetheless be conducted as heretofore described thereupon. Do not taunt happy fun ball.

I interview author Santino Hassell about his new series with Berkley, starting with Illegal Contact, which just went on sale on August 15th. We discuss his inspiration for football romance since he’s a baseball fan, and we talk about his being one of few men writing romance. We cover how he got started as a writer, what writers inspired him to start and keep going, and how he addresses stereotypes of bisexuality in his writing, We also discuss his writing projects with Megan Erickson, and, a special note for all of who who are fans of his work: we describe the perfect bait to trap him, should you wish to do so. (Kidding! That would be creepy.) I also have a giveaway to go with this episode! I have a very, very cool pair of Barons athletic socks, and a copy of Illegal Contact for one of you. There will be a giveaway widget in the show notes for this entry at SmartBitchesTrashyBooks.com/podcast, and you can enter to win. Standard disclaimers apply: void where prohibited. I am not being compensated for this giveaway. Open to international residents were permitted by applicable law. Must be over 18 and prepared to wear some very nifty socks. Whereas, upon participation in the contest as aforesaid, said participant shall nonetheless deliver hereunto all such paraphernalia as reasonably necessary and appropriate.  Notwithstanding anything hereinafter to the contrary, the contest shall nonetheless be conducted as heretofore described thereupon. Do not taunt happy fun ball.

At RWA, I sat down with Beverly Jenkins, the recipient of the 2017 RWA Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award. First: I will share a link to the ceremony with Ms. Bev’s speech in the show notes. Please take a moment to watch it. It is deeply moving, powerful, and incredible. I’ve watched it probably six or seven times, and I get teary. We talk about her experience at the awards ceremony and her perspective on being a lifetime achievement award recipient. This was recorded the day after the RITA award ceremony, so we’re both a little punchy. Ms. Bev gives advice, looks at her career and her works in progress, and discusses her film project to turn Deadly Sexy into a movie. She also talks about perseverance when past and present history are so painful, and what stories she’s been enjoying while she travels. She also reveals her own romance reading catnip - which matches many of yours, I’m betting - and gives some advice to new and aspiring writers. And! We have a new swag collection inspired by Ms. Bev's speech: Slayer of Words tshirts, mousepads and more are available, and all proceeds benefit Doctors Without Borders. Links are at smartbitchestrashybooks.com/podcast

At RWA in Orlando, I did a series of interviews, and I’m so excited to share them. In this episode, I talk with Zoe Archer aka Eva Leigh and Nico Rosso about mindfulness. They did a workshop at RWA about mindfulness and writing, and I wanted to ask about the connections between them. We start with a gift of a scarf I found that looks like it’s patterned with a feminine napkin - with wings. It’s ghastly, and because we’ve traded pictures of unintentional yoni on clothing and purses, it had to belong to her. Then we talk about their mindfulness workshop. They explain the way they employ mindfulness, what it means for them, how to define and explain it, and how it relates to their jobs as writers. We also talk about managing anxiety and depression, so please be aware that we do talk about managing symptoms of mental illness and the reaction to triggers, but not the triggers themselves specifically. We also talk about self-compassion and developing the habit of being kind to yourself, writing habits, and the way one's writing process can change.

Sarah, Elyse, Carrie, and RedHeadedGirl gather to talk about successful recommendations we’ve made to new and curious readers interested in trying romance. From curating a broad selection of books as an introduction to specifically pimping books we know have a multi-level appeal, we talk about our favorite recommendations, books that seem to entice many different readers, and which books we love just for sheer crazy sauce. We also discuss how many readers are introduced to romance by a person who gives them a brown paper bag full of books. “Bag full of books” is among our favorite word combinations. And because we’re, well, us, we talk about weird sex scenes we’ve read, wonderful and funny sex scenes we’ve loved, managing chronic pain and reading BDSM stories, and interesting female inventors in history. Plus, we discuss at length (heh) the expectations of tentacles, and what new books we’re going to end up recommending frequently. Note: Elyse is a little fuzzy, and I think she might have been in a wind machine.

I almost titled this episode, “Same Library, Different Tastes.” While having dinner the other night, I was talking to Adam, my excellent spouse, about a series he was reading, and I realized we hardly ever talk about what he’s reading. I’ll go on for hours about what I’m reading (and I have!) but unless I’m asking him if he’d enjoy a book I just found, he doesn’t talk much about what he reads, and he reads a lot. So he made cocktails and I handed him a microphone, and we talked about it. We don’t like any of the same things, but we both love reading. So I asked questions about his favorite series, books he’s enjoyed that I’ve successfully recommended (YES!), and what makes a narrative world appealing. Adam likes to read fantasy, and he loves never-ending world building and deep nerdy dives into back story, so he’s a very avid and engaged reader. But he keeps most of it in his head. So I ask him nosy questions about that. We also discuss series and trilogies he loves, including Game of Thrones, Libriomancer, The Inheritance Trilogy, and a lot more - expect a big list of books.

Elyse and Sarah interview Super Karen, librarian, knitter, romance reader, and co-host of the Knit One, Geek Two Podcast. We talk about childhood fandoms, and the fandoms we love currently, like geek culture, knitting, and romance. We discuss gate keeping, internal snobbery, and the welcoming joy of finding people who love what you love, and are eager to talk with you about it. We also talk about Rhinebeck, and there’s some mild geeking out about knitting, knitting things that are geeky, and geeky knitting. Plus, we learn what Rhinebeck sweaters and cosplay might have in common.

First and most obvious: Trigger Warnings. ALL OF THEM. We’re talking about true crime, so we discuss murder, crime, assault, kidnapping, sexual abuse, all of it. So please be safe, both in your brain, and in your life, ok? Amanda and Elyse like true crime in several forms, from podcasts to books to television programs, while I can’t nope hard enough. So we talk about the true crime programs they enjoy, and what they get out of listening and watching. They make a lot of recommendations (sorry!) and talk about the ways in which reframing the stories of crimes against women to refocus on the women’s lives, not just their deaths, has a lot of parallels to this other genre we all really like. We also talk about some studies examining the popularity of true crime, and how that popularity may be changing the ways in which people perceive fear, personal safety, and getting involved. (In other words, “Fuck politeness.”)

A little bit ago, I interviewed world traveling author Sara Ramsey. She’s been traveling the globe while writing and living in different locations. We talk about her stay in Ubud, Indonesia, and in London, where she was at the time of this recording. She discusses her own experience and how she researched and planned for a location-independent digital life. We talk about experiencing a place intimately and as authentically as possible, and how travel changes the traveler and the place where you are. She also shares advice and recommendations, and of course, what she’s been reading.