Trend readership is a fascinating topic, especially when readers enter a new genre without understanding the underlying character arcs or structural conventions. This week, I am sitting down with multi-genre indie author Aya Winter to break down what happens when hype-driven reading trends take over the fantasy and romantasy spaces. We dive into the hero’s journey, why readers confuse long-standing genre conventions with plagiarism, the creative autonomy of indie publishing, and why we need to retire the pretty-ugly, inexperienced heroine trope once and for all. Aya Winter is a romance novelist, illustrator, and publishing professional with over 20 years of storytelling experience across fiction, poetry, visual art, and music-inspired narratives. She has also spent nearly a decade in children’s book publishing, working from manuscript to print as an illustrator, designer, creative lead, and publishing manager. Her background in communications, branding, and digital media informs a strategic, design-forward approach to her stories and author platform. Known for character-driven narratives with emotional depth, cinematic pacing, longing, and found family in high-stakes worlds, Aya authored the Hartgrave Tellers rockstar romance series. Her debut novel, Through the Glory and the Mess, was released in July 2025. Writing at the intersection of art and story, she views romance as a messy, meaningful craft and calling rooted in emotional truth. In this episode, we're discussing: How fear and early industry rejections stall creative output until life-altering events force a mindset shift toward publishing.Why hype-driven trend readership creates reader expectations that clash with standard fantasy conventions and story arcs.When the hero's journey gets mistaken for copycatting, and why formulaic character growth is essential for meaningful story payoffs.How the financial motivations of traditional publishing limit story variety compared to the creative freedom of indie authors.Why writing confident, experienced women who own their beauty and power makes for far better heroines than tired, self-deprecating tropes. CONNECT WITH AYA WINTER: Website Instagram Amazon BOOKS/AUTHORS MENTIONED: Naima Simone Episode on the Podcast Ember by Naima Simone (Amazon | Bookshop) Huntsman by Naima Simone (Amazon | Bookshop) Behind Closed Doors by Shain Rose (Amazon | Bookshop) Lilac by B.B. Reid (Amazon | Bookshop) Crucible by B.B. Reid (Amazon | Bookshop) Kelley Armstrong (Amazon) Zoey Draven (Amazon) Alpha Breeds by Milana Jacks (Amazon) Fae-ted Kings by Milana Jacks (Amazon) A Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell (Amazon | Bookshop) https://youtu.be/W68Iqk8Kz4g Join the We Read Smut Lounge. Want early access to next week's episode, entry into our private Discord server, two monthly virtual silent book clubs, and a free monthly e-book? Head over to our Substack and join the paid community to access goodies and get early access to episodes. Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in these show notes are affiliate links. If you make a purchase or borrow a book through these links, I may earn a small commission at zero extra cost to you. Connect with Alesia: Storygraph Instagram Running list of books mentioned (Doc) This podcast was produced by Galati Media. Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective.
