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Artwork for Smart Podcast, Trashy Books: A Romance Novel Podcast

Smart Podcast, Trashy Books: A Romance Novel Podcast

Sarah Wendell
Romantic Times Magazine
Romance Novels
Historical Romance
Romance Literature
Romantic Times
Contemporary Romance
Real Housewives
Romance
Heated Rivalry
Books
Romance Publishing
Books Journalism
A Soul To Keep
Self-Publishing
Influencer Marketing
Romance Genre
Gilded Age
October 1999
Kickstarter
The Bachelor

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 Sm... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes526Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArtsFiction

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Artwork for Smart Podcast, Trashy Books: A Romance Novel Podcast

Latest Episodes

Jess Rothschild is a podcaster and journalist, one of the founding writers at Autostraddle, and her latest project is a documentary podcast called Finding Fire Island, about the history of Fire Island, Cherry Grove, and the Pines. Her prior work incl... more

We are back in the early 90s, when the mullets were epic and the covers were sumptuous. Come on back to July 1992 with us as we explore the ads & features of the 100th issue of Romantic Times Magazine!

This issue contains some FASCINATING retrospect... more

Dylan MarcAurele is the writer and composer behind The Heated Rivalry Unauthorized Musical Parody, and I am extremely excited to share this interview with you!

We’re going to talk about writing musical theatre, his writing process, and how long it t... more

It’s RT Rewind time again! This month, we’re going back to July 1992 to check out the new releases reviewed in…the 100th issue of Romantic Times magazine! Yup, the cover is memorable, and so are the book covers.

We discuss:

* Cover models! Who wou... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Jess Rothschild
Podcaster and journalist; founder writer at Autostraddle; documentary podcaster
Finding Fire Island; Autostraddle
Episode: 734. Finding Fire Island with Jess Rothschild
Dylan MarcAurele
Writer and composer of Heated Rivalry Unauthorized Musical Parody
Episode: 732. The Heated Rivalry Unauthorized Musical Parody with Dylan MarcAurele
Sherry Thomas
Author of The Luckiest Lady in London
Author
Episode: 730. Still the Luckiest Lady in London with Sherry Thomas
Ashley Poston
Author of The Someday Garden, Geekerella, The Dead Romantics
Episode: 723. Magic and Gardens with Ashley Poston
Martha Wells
Writer of Murderbot Diaries and Witch King series
Author
Episode: 721. Exploring Platform Decay with Martha Wells
Ilana Masad
Novelist and book critic
Independent/Author
Episode: 716. Here for All the Reasons: Bachelor Critique With Ilana Masad and Stevie K. Seibert Desjarlais
Stevie K. Seibert Desjarlais
Editor and assistant professor
University of Nebraska Omaha
Episode: 716. Here for All the Reasons: Bachelor Critique With Ilana Masad and Stevie K. Seibert Desjarlais
Claire Trottier
Co-owner of Joie de Livres, a romance and speculative fiction bookstore in Montreal
Joie de Livres
Episode: 715. Books, Wine & Nachos at Joie de Livres, with Claire Trottier
Chanda Prescod-Weinstein
Associate professor of physics, University of New Hampshire; author
University of New Hampshire / The Edge of Space-Time
Episode: 714. The Edge of Space-Time with Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein

Hosts

Sarah Wendell
Host of Smart Podcast, Trashy Books; frequent co-host and driving voice behind episode structure and industry commentary.
Amanda Diehl
Co-host and regular contributor; long-running co-pilot with Sarah, known for readings, banter, and guest interactions.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 150 ratings
  • I don’t even read romance

    And I don’t have any interest. But, I can’t stop listening to this podcast. It’s so interesting

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sweet Hayley Grace
    United States3 months ago
  • Addictive and intelligent

    I have listened for years now and always enjoyed myself, smiled and learned new things. There’s a pleasure in hearing smart people enjoying things they are passionate about, particularly when the discussions are wide ranging but often circle back to writing and romance genre fiction. I also like the bad jokes the host likes to end each episode with.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RhodePVD
    United Statesa year ago
  • Awesome show

    What a great listen. You don’t even have to be the biggest fan of reading to enjoy this show. They do so a wonderful job, that it will make you a fan of reading. Keep up the great work!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Skilletbrew
    United States2 years ago
  • Love these seasonal episodes very much x

    Podcast Addict
    5
    jlk
    2 years ago
  • Recently got into the romance genre and this podcast has been a great way of finding out what's what. There have been some fascinating guests and the discussions touch on so many aspects of life that I'm ashamed to say I've been rather ignorant of. As a bog-standard middle-aged man it has been a massive eye opener, as well as being very entertaining. Thank you to the hosts for making this.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Jambon
    2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests are varied and often book-focused, offering deep dives into craft and market trends.
Engaging discussions with smart guests and a warm host banter that makes genre insights accessible.
Long-running show with thoughtful coverage of publishing industry evolution and reader culture.
Comedic, friendly host dynamic that stays respectful while exploring controversial topics.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#96
South Korea/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#181
South Korea/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#228
Norway/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

730. Still the Luckiest Lady in London with Sherry Thomas
Q: What inspired your approach to the power dynamics between the leads?
The heroine's need to secure resources without giving up agency, and the hero's guardedness, create a dynamic where both must grow and confront consequences, which drives the romance beyond a simple fairy-tale setup.
725. Romantic Hero with Kirsty Greenwood
Q: Do you want to talk a little about writer's block and how you managed those feelings during the writing of Romantic Hero?
The block was cathartic and difficult; I was a chronic people-pleaser and had to rewire the habit of prioritizing others over myself, which involved resting, stepping back, and returning to what I truly wanted to write—fun, meaningful, and funny—not just what I thought readers needed.
721. Exploring Platform Decay with Martha Wells
Q: There's a lot of talk about adaptation—where do you see a possible adaptation going, and who would you want to see in the roles?
There's interest in adapting the three books Artificial Condition, Road Protocol, and Exit Strategy as a single arc; casting is still in flux, but fans would love to see actors who can capture the tonal balance between AI and human emotion.
721. Exploring Platform Decay with Martha Wells
Q: How did you decide to bring back Sophie and develop Leonid's arc in this book?
Sophie was brought back to deepen the connection to Mensa's world; Leonid's arc evolved from a one-off to a catalyst for how they navigate betrayal and revenge within a cutthroat corporate environment.
721. Exploring Platform Decay with Martha Wells
Q: What was your entry point into Platform Decay, and what were you hoping to explore with Murderbot in this installment?
I wanted to show Murderbot post-network effects and system collapse, while also expanding Mensa's family dynamics and the idea of a rescue mission on the planetary torus.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A long-running, talk-focused show about romance fiction, publishing, and reader culture. Conversations frequently feature authors, editors, and publishing professionals, with episodes blending author interviews, industry analysis, and book recommendations. Founders and recurring co-hosts bring warmth, humor, and a deep affection for romance, often exploring how trends, branding, and community shape the genre. Notable for its candid discussions, scholarly perspectives, and regular return to retro publishing era topics, it's a good fit for listeners who love in-depth genre insights, author dynamics, and community-building in publishing. The show is also known for its approachable critique of industry practices, plus lively banter and strong g... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Fated Mates - Romance Books for Novel People
2. Reading Smut
3. All the Books!
4. Culture Study Podcast
5. Reading Glasses

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 4 years ago and published 526 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Jess Rothschild
2. Dylan MarcAurele
3. Sherry Thomas
4. Ashley Poston
5. Martha Wells
6. Ilana Masad
7. Stevie K. Seibert Desjarlais
8. Claire Trottier

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