The Curvy Literary I Plus-Size Romance

The Curvy Literary

The Curvy Literary is taking an intentional pause , we'll be back September 8th with Season 3 and something bigger I can't wait to tell you about. Same show, same passion and love for plus-size romance. Thank you for your patience and your support — it means everything. Catch up on episodes in the meantime or share someone who loves plus size romance. The Curvy Literary Podcast is part love letter, part advocacy for plus-size romance stories and the people they represent. Remember, ALL bodies deserve love stories.

  1. Apr 7

    Charlotte Stein on Fat-Positive Romance, Grumpy-Sunshine Heroes, and Writing Plus Size Heroines

    If you've ever wanted a romance where the fat heroine doesn't just survive the story — she thrives in it — Charlotte Stein has been writing that book for nearly two decades. In this episode, host Keshia sits down with romance author Charlotte Stein to talk about her journey from childhood writer to one of the most distinctive voices in fat-positive romance. Charlotte shares how she got her start publishing erotic short fiction with Black Lace (after a bet with a friend), why she migrated from horror to love stories, and how the EPUB and indie publishing boom gave her the freedom to write fat heroines long before traditional publishing caught up. They dig into the craft and the culture: Charlotte's signature grumpy/sunshine dynamic, what it actually means to write fat-positive romance (not just putting a fat character in a story, but showing her navigate a world that wasn't built for her), and why she writes heroes who are emotionally soft without losing their edge. You'll also hear about: When Grumpy Met Sunshine and Mabel's unflinching journey through celebrity hostilityMy Big Fat Fake Marriage and what makes the fake dating trope still feel freshThe Sanctuary for Supernatural series — How to Help a Hungry Werewolf and Dealing with a Desperate Demon, and book #3 with vampires on the horizonThe upcoming While You Were Seething (coming April 14, 2026) Plus Charlotte's advice for writers trying to find their footing: find your people and keep going. Follow Charlotte Stein: Instagram TikTok BlueSky Website NewsletterConnect with The Curvy Literary Remember, ALL bodies deserve love stories

    48 min
  2. Jan 8

    Cravings, Queer Love & Fat Liberation: Author Juliet James on Writing Desire, Identity & Self-Acceptance

    In this episode of The Curvy Literary Podcast, host Keshia sits down with author Juliet James for a deeply honest conversation about writing, identity, and reclaiming desire on your own terms. Juliet opens up about growing up in a highly dysfunctional family, navigating life with ADHD, and how storytelling became both an escape and a form of survival. As a fat, bisexual, queer woman, she shares how her lived experiences shaped her debut novel Cravings — a “mostly-fiction memoir” told through diary entries that trace love, longing, self-discovery, and fat liberation through the eyes of its protagonist, Tessa. Together, Keshia and Juliet explore: Writing plus-size romance without fetishization Queer love, bisexual erasure, and authentic representation Body positivity vs. fat liberation in fiction Using narrative as a form of healing and self-acceptance The power (and risk) of writing from personal truth Setting boundaries when sharing your story publicly Juliet also talks about her upcoming projects, including a new romance series set in a fictional Colorado town, experimenting across writing mediums, and her advice for writers who want to tell deeply personal stories without losing themselves in the process. This episode is a love letter to messy growth, chosen truth, and the radical act of seeing fat, queer bodies as worthy of desire, softness, and fully realized love stories. Follow Juliet on Instagram Check Out Juliet's Webpage Read Juliet's Debut Novel - Cravings All bodies deserve love stories.

    27 min
  3. Jan 4

    Writing Plus-Size Romance with Heart: Denise Williams on Body Positivity, Academia & The Redo List

    In this episode of The Curvy Literary Podcast, host Keshia sits down with USA Today bestselling romance author Denise Williams to talk about writing love stories that center plus-size protagonists, emotional growth, and meaningful representation. Denise shares her journey from academia to romance writing, and how her background in research and teaching shapes the depth, vulnerability, and emotional arcs of her characters. They discuss her acclaimed debut How to Fail at Flirting, the body-positive themes in The Fastest Way to Fall, and her upcoming novel The Redo List, releasing January 27, 2026. This conversation explores why body positivity in romance novels matters, how readers respond to seeing themselves reflected on the page, and what it means to write stories about starting over—both romantically and professionally. Denise also reflects on reader messages, the power of inclusive storytelling, and why romance continues to be a vital space for joy, healing, and self-acceptance. A must-listen for fans of inclusive romance, plus-size love stories, and heartfelt conversations about creativity, courage, and finding your way. Where you can find Denise & get her books: Instagram Tik Tok Facebook Check Out Her Website Sign Up for Denise's Newsletter Buy Her Books The Redo List Book Tour Stops Order Signed Copies of The Redo List from Dogeared Books - Denise's local indie bookstore

    48 min

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The Curvy Literary is taking an intentional pause , we'll be back September 8th with Season 3 and something bigger I can't wait to tell you about. Same show, same passion and love for plus-size romance. Thank you for your patience and your support — it means everything. Catch up on episodes in the meantime or share someone who loves plus size romance. The Curvy Literary Podcast is part love letter, part advocacy for plus-size romance stories and the people they represent. Remember, ALL bodies deserve love stories.