Are you ready to expand your reading horizons and discover the transformative power of sapphic literature? Join host Alesia and special guest Sarah in Wanderland as they unravel the complexities of lesbophobia, celebrate queer representation, and explore the transformative power of diverse love stories.

Sarah has dedicated their platform and voice to dismantling the shame and guilt that can often be associated with reading romance, and to promoting queer romance. After deconstructing from religious purity culture several years ago, they have been on a mission to take the taboo out of finding pleasure in self-exploration and kink, and to find the power that comes from freedom of expression and fulfilled desire.

In this episode, we're discussing:

• Understanding Lesbophobia: Learn how lesbophobia intersects with homophobia and misogyny, and why inclusive language matters
• Diverse Representation Matters: Discover why reading sapphic romances from authors of various backgrounds is crucial
• Must-Read Authors: Explore recommendations from Kaylin Baron, Jazz Hammonds, Heather Nicks, and more
• Reading Challenge: Join Sarah's 2025 Sapphic Reading Challenge and expand your literary world
• Therapeutic Power of Reading: Understand how queer literature can be a healing and transformative experience

Challenge yourself to read at least one sapphic romance book this month. Every book you read is an opportunity to understand, empathize, and celebrate the beautiful diversity of human love and experience.

CONNECT WITH SARAH:

Website

Instagram

Patreon

BOOKS/AUTHORS MENTIONED:

The Lesbrary

I Heart Sapphic

This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron (Amazon)

We Deserve Monuments by Jas Hammonds (Amazon)

Thirsty by Jas Hammonds (Amazon)

Seventh Star Series by Lily X (Amazon)

Heather Nix (Amazon)

Tamara Jerée (Amazon)

The Curse of the Goddess by C.C. González (Amazon)

Down South Bayou by Aricka Alexander (Amazon)

Mistakes Were Made by Meryl Wilsner (Amazon)

Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashely Herring Blake (Amazon)

Sapphic Reading Challenge (StoryGraph)

The Tenth Muse Anthology (Amazon)

Running list of books mentioned (Doc)

Thank you for listening to the We Read Smut Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag @WeReadSmut. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast.

Connect with Alesia:
Storygraph

This podcast was produced by Galati Media.
Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective.

What makes a romance novel truly captivating? Join host Alesia Galati as she sits down with bestselling author Dria Andersen to explore the vibrant world of Black paranormal romance, where love, loyalty, and supernatural excitement collide.

Dria Andersen is a paranormal author and photographer who draws inspiration from stories and legends. Her passion lies in writing about Black love and exploring the diverse concept of family.

In this episode, we're discussing:

• Writing Journey: Dria began her writing career while pregnant, using self-publishing to bring her stories to life
• Representation Matters: Creating stories with predominantly Black characters that reflect her own community experience
• Unique Shifter Dynamics: Developing shifter worlds where supernatural beings integrate seamlessly into urban settings
• Trauma and Healing: Exploring found family and character growth through nuanced storytelling
• Genre Diversity: Spanning multiple paranormal genres from shifters to vampires and fantasy

Whether you're a romance enthusiast or new to paranormal fiction, Dria Andersen's books offer an immersive experience that celebrates love, community, and supernatural adventure. Dive into her world today and discover why readers can't get enough of her unique storytelling approach.

CONNECT WITH DRIA ANDERSEN:

Website

Instagram

Amazon

BOOKS/AUTHORS MENTIONED:

The Friend Contract (Amazon)

Haven (Amazon)

Devon (Amazon)

For Her Protection (Amazon)

Claiming April (Amazon)

To Her Rescue (Amazon)

A Destiny Awakened (Amazon)

Running list of books mentioned (Doc)

Thank you for listening to the We Read Smut Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag @WeReadSmut. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast.

Connect with Alesia:
Storygraph

This podcast was produced by Galati Media.
Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective.

Fatphobia and fat shaming are so deeply entrenched in society that traditionally, only a narrow set of beauty standards were represented in romance. Luckily, more and more authors, seeing how unrealistic this is, are transforming the literary landscape by writing curvy, confident, and complex characters that more closely represent their readers. In this episode of the podcast, Alesia sits down with Aimee from Curvy Girls Read Romance as they take a deep dive into body representation in romance books, specifically, celebrating authors who write real, authentic love stories with plus-sized characters.

Aimee has been a romance reader for a few years now and, in the last year, has been solely focused on plus-sized protagonists. She wanted to see more realistic body types reflected, to see herself in the stories she spent so much time reading. Now Aimee has built a small community on Instagram and surrounded herself with people looking for the same thing. Sharing book recs, trope recs, and author recs and hoping to normalize body positivity.

In this episode, we're discussing:

• Finding books with plus-sized representation, both on the cover and within the pages.
• Be cautious when using the word “curvy,” as it can often be misconstrued.
• Ways in which plus-size romances go beyond the weight of the character, giving more representation to multifaceted people.
• Representation has evolved significantly in the last 10 years, with authors being more conscientious of how they write these characters.
• Indie authors are the ones leading the charge in body-positive storytelling.

Whether you're a size 2 or 22, romance is about connection, passion, and seeing yourself reflected in stories that celebrate every curve, every stretch mark, and every beautiful, complex human experience. Today's conversation isn't just about books—it's about breaking down barriers and expanding what love looks like.

CONNECT WITH CURVY GIRLS READ ROMANCE:

Instagram

Good Reads

BOOKS/AUTHORS MENTIONED:

CC Monroe (Amazon)

Sloane Spencer (Amazon)

Sleet Kitten by S.J. Tilly (Amazon)

Kat Baxter (Amazon)

Mia Brody (Amazon)

Anna P. (Amazon)

Nicola Davidson (Amazon)

Running list of books mentioned (Doc)

Thank you for listening to the We Read Smut Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag @WeReadSmut. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast.

Connect with Alesia:
Storygraph

This podcast was produced by Galati Media.
Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective.