Rebel Ever After

Ella Dawson
  • 4.6 (19)
  • BOOKS

Fight fascism and fall in love with Rebel Ever After, a new romance podcast. Join sex & culture critic and BUT HOW ARE YOU, REALLY author Ella Dawson as she interviews her favorite authors about writing swoony, sexy and progressive romance novels.

  1. FEB 2

    Black heroines deserve to be treasured with LaQuette

    This week my guest is LaQuette, author of many contemporary romances including The King's Pregnancy Proposition and the brand new rom-com Janae Sanders' Second Time Around. We talked about her Savvy, Sexy, and Single Club series about couples in their 40s that explores communication, healing and mental health. Then we discussed the beautiful ridiculousness of romance and the perils of expecting a character's choices to be "plausible."  Plus: LaQuette told me about her Ph.D. research on representations of Black women in popular media and how stereotypes limit the types of stories Black romance authors are able to get published. Follow her on Instagram @la_quette and at https://laquette.com/.  Purchase LaQuette's books from the Rebel Ever After affiliate bookstore at bit.ly/REABooks Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast. Save 10% when you buy an annual membership! Your financial support makes this independent production possible.  Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen. Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons. Books and authors mentioned this episode: Carole Mortimer's The Devil's Price Kimberla Lawson Roby Donna Hill Sandra Kitt Rochelle Alers Francis Ray Zane Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee is an all-volunteer, grassroots, multiracial, and multinational immigrant rights mass-movement organization. MIRAC fights for legalization for all, an end to immigration raids and deportations, an end to all anti-immigrant laws, and full equality in all areas of life. Donate to MIRAC here: www.miracmn.com

    1h 13m

  2. JAN 26 · BONUS

    Ella's publishing hot takes on the 'It's a Lot' podcast

    This week I'm the guest! I went on my friend Emily Hessney Lynch's podcast It's A Lot to talk about my romance novel, BUT HOW ARE YOU, REALLY. We dug into my writer's block and the depression a lot of authors experience thanks to the shifting goal posts of success in this industry. Plus I shared some conspiracy theories about why best-seller lists are rigged and if hardcover books are doomed to fail. Be sure to subscribe to the It's A Lot podcast! Emily does a great job interviewing folks about social media, parenting, books, and all sorts of stuff that feels way too much.  Buy BUT HOW ARE YOU, REALLY in any format here or at bit.ly/buthowareyoureallynovel  Join my Patreon community for free and get email updates about the show and my upcoming events at patreon.com/brosandprose.  Get tickets for my 2/5 event at the Ripped Bodice with Jennifer Iacopelli: https://www.therippedbodice.com/brooklyn-events

    56 min

  3. JAN 12

    Ashley Herring Blake wants to know your star sign

    In the first Rebel Ever After episode of 2026, my guest is Ashley Herring Blake! I asked the author of DELILAH GREEN DOESN'T CARE and countless other queer books about her shift from writing kid-lit to adult romance, and the authors who inspired her along the way. Then we broke down the role of astrology and tarot in her new book GET OVER IT, APRIL EVANS (Feb 2026) and why queers love our star charts so much.  I also asked Ashley for her advice on how to live and work in line with your values in an industry where having principles can feel like a luxury. Plus: writing about kink and queerness in small-town settings, and why third-act breakups are the best, actually. Find Ashley on Instagram @ashleyhblake or at www.ashleyherringblake.com Pre-order Get Over It, April Evans from the Rebel Ever After affiliate bookstore at bit.ly/REABooks Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee is an all-volunteer, grassroots, multiracial, and multinational immigrant rights mass-movement organization. MIRAC fights for legalization for all, an end to immigration raids and deportations, an end to all anti-immigrant laws, and full equality in all areas of life. Donate to MIRAC here: www.miracmn.com Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast. Save 10% when you buy an annual membership! Your financial support makes this independent production possible.  Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen. Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons. Books and authors mentioned this episode: The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner The Brown Sisters series by Talia Hibbert Rebekah Witherspoon  Kennedy Ryan Nicole Brinkley

    1h 3m

  4. 12/15/2025

    Primal play & the catharsis of Dark Romance with Allie Oleander

    This week my guest is Allie Oleander, author of the dark-ish romance WILLING PREY about a woman who gets paid $30,000 to let a sexy, awkward lawyer hunt her in the woods. We talked about the definition of primal kink, how Allie approached consent and power dynamics in the book, and the differences between BDSM and Dark Romance. Plus: Why do some readers find Dark Romances so cathartic to read? Allie patiently helped me make sense of my complicated feelings about the subgenre's rising popularity.  Content warning: This episode is definitely not safe for work and includes discussion of kink, stalking, trauma and sexual violence. Follow Allie on Instagram and Threads @allie.oleander. You can also subscribe to her Patreon for free at Patreon.com/AllieOleander. Purchase Willing Prey from the Rebel Ever After affiliate bookstore at bit.ly/REABooks Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast. Save 10% when you buy an annual membership! Your financial support makes this independent production possible. Please reach out at rebeleverafterpod.com/contact with advertising and sponsorship inquiries.  Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen. Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons.   Books mentioned this episode: The works of Nenia Campbell Rebecca Kinkade's Streams and Schemes trilogy

    58 min

  5. 11/30/2025

    Does "historical romance" need a new name? With Katherine Grant

    This week my guest is Katherine Grant, indie romance author and the host of the Historical Romance Sampler podcast. We talked about the conclusion of her historical romance series The Prestons and how her characters live by their progressive principles in Regency Era England. On a craft level, Katherine shares how she interrogates thorny issues of labor exploitation and divesting from the slave trade while writing character-driven romance novels. Plus: How she approached writing the sexuality and personal growth of characters in their 60s in THE WIDOWER WITHOUT A WILL. Then we dove into the state of historical romance in the indie publishing space. Is it true that indie authors will keep the subgenre alive? How are hist-rom authors doing these days? And how can historical romance appeal to new and young readers? Find Katherine on Instagram as @katherine_grant_romance and at katherinegrantromance.com. Listen to the Historical Romance Sampler wherever you get your podcasts, and follow the show on Instagram at @historicalromancesampler. Purchase Katherine's romances from the Rebel Ever After affiliate bookstore at bit.ly/REABooks Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast. Save 10% when you buy an annual membership! Your financial support makes this independent production possible. Please reach out at rebeleverafterpod.com/contact with advertising and sponsorship inquiries.  Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen. Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons. Books mentioned this episode: The work of Nicholas Sparks The work of Jodi Picoult The work of Mary Higgins Clark The work of Mary Balogh What a Wallflower Wants by Maya Rodale Magic and Mischief at the Wayside Hotel by Elizabeth Everett The Sea Witch by Eva Leigh The Roman Heirs series by Jenna Bigelow Mate by Ali Hazelwood Princess Weekes's Dramione video The work of Emma R. Alban The work of Adriana Herrera

    58 min

  6. 11/17/2025

    A marriage of convenience for health insurance & housing, with Marisa Kanter

    This week my guest is Marisa Kanter, author of the adult rom-com FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS, as well as several YA romance novels. We talked about writing the ultimate contemporary marriage-of-convenience about best friends who get married for health insurance and housing. We had a good venting session about ableism and misogyny in romance reviews, and the weird trend of readers wanting to "rescue" male main characters from their chronically ill heroines. Topics include: Romance characters who don't want to get married, the disgraceful state of the United States healthcare system, and if escapism has to mean a love story completely untethered from economic reality.  Follow Marisa on Instagram @marisakanter and visit her website at marisakanter.com. Purchase Marisa's FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS from the Rebel Ever After affiliate bookstore here! My second-chance college reunion romance BUT HOW ARE YOU, REALLY is available wherever books are sold and at bit.ly/buthowareyoureallynovel Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast. Your financial support makes this independent production possible. Please reach out at rebeleverafterpod.com/contact with advertising and sponsorship inquiries.  Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen. Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons. Books referenced this episode include: The works of Sarah Dessen The works of Meg Cabot The Hating Game by Sally Thorne The Broposal by Sonora Reyes

    54 min

  7. 11/03/2025

    Rachel Runya Katz on the rom-traum-com

    My guest this week is Rachel Runya Katz, the author of Thank You For Sharing, Whenever You're Ready and the brand new instant USA Today Best Seller Isn't It Obvious? We talked about writing rom-traum-coms, balancing serious subjects with swoony romance, bipolar representation and our love of Michael Hobbes podcasts. Plus, should we be concerned about all the condomless big penises taking over sex scenes? And our hot takes about You've Got Mail. Follow Rachel on Instagram @rachelrunyakatz and on Substack here. Purchase Rachel's books from the Rebel Ever After affiliate bookstore here! Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast. Your financial support makes this independent production possible. Please reach out at rebeleverafterpod.com/contact with advertising and sponsorship inquiries.  Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen. Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons.   Books and podcasts mentioned this episode: The works of Jasmine Gillory The Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forest Can't Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan The View Was Exhausting by Mikaella Clements & Onjuli Datta Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury Maintenance Phase podcast You're Wrong About podcast If Books Could Kill podcast   P.S. My second-chance college reunion romance BUT HOW ARE YOU, REALLY is available wherever books are sold and at bit.ly/buthowareyoureallynovel

    1h 4m

  8. 10/13/2025

    Julian Winters on queer self-discovery and demisexual representation

    My guest this week is Julian Winters, the author of adult rom-coms I THINK THEY LOVE YOU and LAST FIRST KISS, as well as many books for teens and children. We talked about his passion for writing inclusive love stories that make people feel seen and celebrated. Julian walked me through how he approached demisexuality and pansexuality on the page of his new book LAST FIRST KISS in a responsible and character-driven way. Plus: Discovering your queer identity at your own pace, no matter your age; conversations about safe sex between characters; and writing ideal "first" sexual experiences. Follow Julian on Instagram @wintersjulian at julianwinters.com. Purchase Julian's books from the Rebel Ever After affiliate bookstore here! Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast. Your financial support makes this independent production possible! Please reach out at rebeleverafterpod.com/contact with advertising and sponsorship inquiries.  Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen.  Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons. Get tickets for my event with Candice Jalili at Powerhouse Arena (Brooklyn 10/14): https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/powerhousebookstores/book-launch-seeing-stars-by-candice-jalili Get tickets for my event with Cait Jacobs at The Next Chapter (Huntington NY, 10/20): https://www.thenextchapterli.com/product/cait-jacobs-book-talk-signing-monday-october-20th-7pm/20275   Other books mentioned this episode: How to Be a Normal Person by TJ Klune Black Boy Joy: 17 Stories Celebrating Black Boyhood Love and Other Conspiracies by Mallory Marlowe The works of Keith Miller

    57 min
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4.6
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

Fight fascism and fall in love with Rebel Ever After, a new romance podcast. Join sex & culture critic and BUT HOW ARE YOU, REALLY author Ella Dawson as she interviews her favorite authors about writing swoony, sexy and progressive romance novels.

Information

  • Creator
    Ella Dawson
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    47
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2024
  • Show Website
    Rebel Ever After

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