Smart Podcast, Trashy Books: A Romance Novel Podcast

Sarah Wendell
  • 4.7 (67)
  • Books
  • Updated Weekly

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.

  1. 3d ago

    725. Romantic Hero with Kirsty Greenwood

    My guest this week is Kirsty Greenwood, whose new book Romantic Hero is out now everywhere, all over the world. Kirsty writes what she calls “speculative romantic comedy,” and I really loved her first book, Love of my Afterlife. We discuss SHOCKING topics like deleting the first book she tried to write, the character journeys in Romantic Hero, dealing with writer’s block, and punching people in the face. Want to watch this episode? Find us on YouTube! New! I’m posting clips from Romantic Times Rewind on TikTok!  ... You can find Kirsty Greenwood at her website, KirstyGreenwood.com, and sign up for her newsletter. You can also find her on Instagram and on Facebook at KirstyGreenwoodBooks. You can also listen to us discussing Love of my Afterlife in Episode 622. The Love of My Afterlife with Kirsty Greenwood. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    53 min
  2. 724. RT Rewind: May 1996 Ads & Features

    Jun 26

    724. RT Rewind: May 1996 Ads & Features

    The time machine is all charged up, and we’re headed back to May 1996 to take a look at the ads & features from Romantic Times magazine. It’s the late 90s, so you know that means Incredible Cover Art. We also discover just how much creepy stuff Amanda owns currently, debates about babies in romance, cheap conference hotel rooms, woman flamingos, and incredible women heroines. I don’t know if you’re a video watcher, but the video for this episode has ALL the visuals on screen.  But if you’re NOT a video watcher, the visual aids were so bountiful I needed to give them their own post.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 19m

  3. Jun 19

    723. Magic and Gardens with Ashley Poston

    My guest today is bestselling author Ashley Poston, whose new book, The Someday Garden, is out this week. The Someday Garden was inspired by The Secret Garden, so we’re going to talk about inspiration, gardening, fandoms, changing genres and having your readers grow up with you as a writer. TW/CW – discussion of grief, and of suicide at almost exactly 1 hour into our conversation. You can find Ashley Poston on her website, AshPoston.com, on IG as @HeyAshPoston, and on Threads @HeyAshPoston. We also mentioned: Diary X (RIP)Cheerful Plants app (when to water your succulents!)AppleAndroidHeated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Parody Musical Boothbay Garden, MaineJardin de Quatre-Vents, Quebec, CanadaThe Butchart Garden, British Columbia, Canada Do you like to listen to your favorite podcasts on YouTube? We’re there, too! Come on over! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 16m
  4. 722. RT Rewind: May 1996 Reviews

    Jun 12

    722. RT Rewind: May 1996 Reviews

    We love the 90s, and that’s where we’re headed this month, gazing at the impossible mullets from Romantic Times magazine. We’re talking about the newest books from May 1996, including the second book in what is now a 15-book much-loved series, and some truly memorable character names. We’ll investigate, “What’s wrong with this man?” We’ll have “lashings of good fun.” Plus we learn a SHOCKING TRUTH about Amanda’s reading history. Want to watch on YouTube? We also mentioned: Movie PooperClassic Romance: Which One First? Nora Roberts EditionMy Reddit post about the centerfold Music: Purple-planet.com   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 8m

  5. Jun 5

    721. Exploring Platform Decay with Martha Wells

    Martha Wells is back, and we are taking a deep spoilery dive into Platform Decay.I want to be clear here: if you haven’t read Platform Decay, we are about to spoil the dickens out of it. Yes, Charles Dickens is in Platform Decay, you heard it here first. We’re going to discuss infrastructure fury, trains in Japan, Honor Princess Detective, and more – and when I say we are spoiling, we are spoiling. In other words, if you haven’t read Platform Decay, and you don’t want to know much about the story, skip this episode until after you’ve read it. This is a very book club kind of conversation. You can find Martha Wells on her website, MarthaWells.com, and she's on Bluesky, Goodreads, and Instagram. Please note: Martha Wells is NOT on Threads or Facebook. If someone contacts you on there, it is not really her!  We also mentioned: Legend of Zeng HaiUnveil: Jadewind Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 2m
  6. 720. RT Rewind: December 2012 Ads & Features

    May 29

    720. RT Rewind: December 2012 Ads & Features

    We’re back in the time machine, heading to December 2012 to look at the ads and features from Romantic Times magazine.  This episode features a high amount of extreme zany. We’ve got so many treats for you this week, including the Steeple Hill Drinking Game, the reverse Colonel Sanders, Jude Deveraux’s thoughts on modern romance heroes of the time, shifters and more.  Watch the episode and see the ads we're talking about on YouTube, or find the visual aids at SBTB.com! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 19m

  7. May 22

    719. Tropetails, Books and Drinky Chatting with Amanda

    We’re sampling Tropetails cocktail mixes, discussing what we’re reading and playing, and what books we’re looking forward to in the coming months. We were not paid to promote them, but we did receive free samples and they are delicious. We also mentioned: Manta: Flower of Allure aka Flowers are Bait Game: Winter BurrowGame: Librarian – Tidy Up the Arcane LibraryElyse’s review of YesteryearMy review of Platform Decay ... This episode is brought to you by Ophelia — an original audio drama, inspired by Hamlet, where Ophelia finally gets to be the main character. Forbidden magic, a crumbling kingdom, a slow-burn love triangle with a prince and his very guarded, very intriguing, best friend. The kind of love triangle where you will absolutely pick a side and you will not be quiet about it. Learn more at Hatch.co/ophelia ... Support for this episode comes from The Undergrads: Student Union by #1 New York Times-bestselling author Julie Murphy–a sexy new rom com about a college marriage of convenience that goes way beyond chemistry 101. Ali Hazelwood calls The Undergrads: Student Union “one addictively swoony book.” Available now wherever books are sold! ... You can get 10% off of Tropetails drink mixes with code SBTBTROPES! Find all the books and games we discuss at SBTB! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 5m
  8. 718. RT Rewind: December 2012 Reviews

    May 15

    718. RT Rewind: December 2012 Reviews

    We’re back in the time machine, heading back to December 2012 to see what new books were reviewed in Romantic Times magazine. We’ve got “multicultural” books, beefy paragraphs, big thorns, Schroedinger’s baby, and “charming vulgar nonsense.” Plus, we ask a very important question: if you were suddenly the heroine of an Inspirational romance, how would you know? TW/CW for the erotica section at the end. It was a time, y’all. If you want to watch this episode with images of the covers and Amanda and I cracking up a lot, head over to our YouTube page. We also mentioned: SNL: Dylan McDermott or Durmot Mulroney?Goodreads: The Folly of the World review ... Support for this episode comes from Labyrinthine by CJ Holmes, a dark, myth-inspired romantasy—where love is dangerous, desire is a risk, and monsters don’t always look like monsters. Princess Azhara was born cursed. Marked by ancient magic. Promised in an unholy bargain sealed in blood, she is the prize. When the Reaping begins, suitors will descend into the labyrinth beneath the palace—each one fighting to win her hand or die trying. A “beautifully woven tale of love, magic, and sacrifice,” Labyrinthine is available now in paperback, ebook, and audio, wherever books are sold. Learn more at CJHolmesWriting.com, or check the link in the show notes to find your copy today! ... This episode is brought to you by Ophelia — an original audio drama, inspired by Hamlet, where Ophelia finally gets to be the main character. Forbidden magic, a crumbling kingdom, a slow-burn love triangle with a prince and his very guarded, very intriguing, best friend. The kind of love triangle where you will absolutely pick a side and you will not be quiet about it. Learn more at Hatch.co/ophelia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 32m
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4.7
out of 5
67 Ratings

About

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.

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