STORYBEAST

Episode #70: Progressiveness, politics, and patriarchy in historicals, with Legendary, Sarah MacLean


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Welcome to another LEGENDARY episode! Our Legendaries are special guests who are an expert within their area of storytelling. In this episode, Ghabiba Weston and Courtney Shack have the pleasure of interviewing legendary Sarah MacLean.


New York Times, Washington Post & USA Today bestseller Sarah MacLean is the author of historical romance novels. Translated into more than twenty-five languages, the books that make up “The MacLeaniverse” are beloved by readers worldwide. In addition to her novels, Sarah is a leading advocate for the romance genre, speaking widely on its place as a feminist text and a cultural bellwether. A columnist for the New York Times, the Washington Post and Bustle, she is the co-host of the weekly romance podcast, Fated Mates. Her work in support of romance and those who read it earned her a place on Jezebel.com's Sheroes list and led Entertainment Weekly to call her "the elegantly fuming, utterly intoxicating queen of historical romance." Sarah is a graduate of Smith College & Harvard University. She lives in New York.


In this episode, you'll hear about:

  • what's going on Sarah's tombstone
  • writing character motivation in romance
  • the third act break-up as a beacon of hope
  • unlikeable heroines
  • the cultural work of genre fiction
  • Sarah's advice for reading as a writer
  • buttons (and wires) of emotion for readers and writers
  • "taking the finger" and why AI will never take over romance novels
  • For more storytelling content to your inbox,⁠⁠ subscribe ⁠to our newsletter⁠⁠

    Feel free to reach out if you want to talk story or snacks! 

    A warm thank you to Deore for our musical number. You can find more of her creative work on Spotify. 

    As ever, thank you for listening, Beasties! Please consider leaving a review to support this podcast. 

    Be brave, stay beastly!

    ...more
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