We Read Smut: Diversity Conversations for Romance Readers

About We Read Smut: Diversity Conversations for Romance Readers

Finally, a home for the spice you love and the representation you deserve. We Read Smut, hosted by Alesia, builds a judgment-free zone for readers who crave spicy plots and substance. We celebrate high-heat stories and inclusive casts. If you want open-door romance that features every body, you found the right show. What to expect: Trope Breakdowns: We dissect the best (and hottest) tropes in the genre. Author Interviews: Hear the story behind the spice from your favorite creators. Shelf Help: Expert guidance to help you conquer your TBR pile. Inclusive Stories: We prioritize representative leads and diverse voices. Whether you're a seasoned smut reader or just dipping your toes into the genre, this podcast is for you. We leave the shame at the door and celebrate the power of a well-written romance. Join the Circle: Want personalized book picks and a private chat with Alesia? Join the After Dark Circle on Substack. Supporters get full access to every post and our private community of romance fans. Connect with us: Follow @WeReadSmut on Instagram and use the hashtag #WeReadSmut to share your current read.

Publisher

We Read Smut

Category

arts · leisure · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

18 Dec 2024

Latest episode

23 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

82 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   23 Oct 2026

   Cathy Yardley on Midlife Romance, Neurodiversity, and 25+ Years in Publishing

   Why are we still measuring the value and desirability of women against the benchmark of youth? Today, I am joined by celebrated author and writing coach Cathy Yardley to pull back the curtain on more than twenty-five years of navigating the publishing landscape. We trace her career from selling category romance to Harlequin in 1999 to publishing award-winning standalones with Montlake, including her hit midlife romance Role Playing. Cathy opens up about her late-in-life ADHD and bipolar II di...

2. 

   16 Oct 2026

   Tamara Lemus on Sapphic Wrestling Romance, Latinx Representation, and Indie Publishing

   What happens when you look at live professional wrestling, see the electric tension between two fierce athletes in the ring, and wonder: what if they kissed? Today, I am joined by romance author Tamara Lemus to discuss her path into indie publishing and the creation of her Wrestling With Love series. We break down the inspiration behind her breakout sapphic sports romance, From the Top Rope, which was sparked while attending WWE Backlash in Puerto Rico. Tamara shares what it takes to write au...

3. 

   9 Oct 2026

   The Ultimate Enemies to Lovers Guide: Categories & Book Recommendations with Chalon

   Enemies to lovers is easily one of the most beloved tropes in romance, but the tag gets slapped on everything from gentle workplace competition to full-blown murderous vendettas. Today, I sit down with fellow reader and creator Chalon from Bookmarked by Chalon to break down the entire spectrum of enemies to lovers. We define the boundaries between mild rivals to lovers, enemies to lovers light, and true enemies with deadly intent. Then, we trade our favorite book recommendations across subgen...

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

8 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

11 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 30 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

28

Social presence

94

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

Contact We Read Smut: Diversity Conversations for Romance Readers

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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