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

This week my guest is former journalist and current novelist Chloe Angyal! In her Dancers Down Under trilogy, Chloe writes about ballet dancers as athletes, employees, and hotties. We talked about her decision to self-publish BARRE FIGHT, the final book in the series, and how she wove the extensive research she did for her nonfiction book Turning Pointe: How a New Generation of Dancers is Saving Ballet From Itself into genre romance novels.

Plus: how she wrote a high-steam romance novel without any penetrative sex scenes in POINTE OF PRIDE, the current conservative project to disenfranchise women, and her real-life meet cute with her husband Zach Wahls, who is now running for Senate in Iowa.

Follow Chloe on Instagram as @chloe.angyal.writes and on Substack at https://chloeangyal.substack.com/

Order a signed copy of BARRE FIGHT here: https://chloeangyal.substack.com/p/how-to-get-a-signed-copy-of-barre 

Support Zach Wahls for Senate: https://zachwahls.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. Your financial support makes this independent production possible! Please reach out at rebeleverafterpod.com/contact with advertising and sponsorship inquiries. 

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

Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons.

It's time for another Rebel Ever After's premium episode! This month my guest is Katherine Morgan, the owner of Grand Gesture Books, Portland's first romance bookstore. She shared what she has learned during the store’s first year at 814 SW 10th Ave — from managing stock to building community at events.

She shared her advice on how authors can build strong relationships with their local booksellers, and how you can still support indie bookstores if you’re on a book buying freeze. Plus we talked about all those beautiful hardcover special editions… and wondered what makes a special edition “special” anyway? 

You can listen to the full episode at patreon.com/brosandprose. Subscribe for $3/month to support the show and pay an independent podcaster's rent.

Follow Grand Gesture Books on Instagram and Threads at @grandgesturebooks, and @grandgesturebks on TikTok. Learn more about the store and sign up for the newsletter at https://linktr.ee/grandgesturebooks.

This week my guest is Alexandria Bellefleur, the author of many queer romances including Written In The Stars, The Fiancée Farce, and Truly Madly Deeply! We talked about her groundbreaking career and what it was like to publish one of the earliest breakout sapphic rom-coms in the trad space during this era of romance. We also discussed bi4bi romances, navigating the expectations of queer readers, and the way stories about bisexual characters are often put in ill-fitting boxes. Then Alexandria told me about her upcoming paranormal sapphic romance The Devil She Knows, inspired by the underrated 2000 comedy Bedazzled starring Elizabeth Hurley and Brendan Fraser.

You can follow Alexandria on Instagram and Threads as @a.m.bellefleur. Purchase all of Alexandria’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. Thank you for your support!

Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons.

Books and other media mentioned this episode:

• Cora Carmack

• Tessa Bailey 

• Elle Kennedy

• Mariana Zapata

• Brighton Walsh

• Get Over It, April Evans by Ashley Herring Blake

• Rachel Harrison’s horror novels

• Buffy the Vampire Slayer

• The Hunger Games

It is spooky witchy season, and this week's guest is Celestine Martin! She is the author of the Elemental Love series, including Witchful Thinking, Kiss and Spell, and Deja Brew. We talked about finding inspiration in the history and liminal magic of the Jersey Shore, and giving black women the paranormal fairytale romances they deserve. Plus why cozy low-stakes romances are having a moment!

As a head’s up, there is some city noise in the background during our conversation. If you hear police sirens, that’s us, not you.

You can follow Celestine on Instagram as @celestinemartinauthor and on Patreon here. Purchase all of Celestine's books from the Rebel Ever After affiliate bookstore here!

Attend my event with Sarah Beth Durst at Northport books on 9/11 at 7pm! Reserve your free ticket 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. Thank you for your support!

Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons.

Books and other media mentioned this episode:

• Midnight by Beverly Jenkins
• The work of Nisha Sharma 
• The work of Sarah Beth Durst
• ZomRomCom by Olivia Dade
• The work of Virginia Hamilton
• The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling
• Witch Please by Ann Aguirre
• The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
• Charmed (1998 - 2006)
• Ever After (1998)
• Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters by John Steptoe

My guest this week is Elissa Sussman, author of Funny You Should Ask and Once More With Feeling. She walked me through writing her new book Totally and Completely Fine, about a widow and single mom still grieving her late husband when she meets a famous, younger actor. Then we talked about her new podcast But How’s the Sex about the sex lives of fictional characters, and how romance novels celebrate and respect horny women. Plus: Are small-town romances “cozy” or homogenised? And why are heroines in their 40s so rare?

Follow Elissa on Instagram as @elissa_sussman or visit elissasussman.com. Purchase Totally and Completely Fine 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. Thank you for your support!

Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons.

This week on Rebel Ever After, my guest is the wonderful London Sperry, author of the 2024 rom-com Passion Project. London and I talked about the range of mental health representation in romance and her quest to write a self-destructive, grieving baddie who deserves love. Content warning that this episode touches on depression, anxiety, mourning and some light references to suicidal ideation. I promise we laughed a lot about being weirdos in New York City, golden retriever love interests, and our love for Sebastian St. Vincent.

Follow London on Instagram @londonsperrywrites. Purchase PASSION PROJECT 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. Thank you for your support!!

Books mentioned this episode:

• Passion Project by London Sperry
• City People by London Sperry (a work in progress!)
• But How Are You, Really by Ella Dawson
• Devil In Winter by Lisa Kleypas
• Wedding Dashers by Heather McBreen

Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons.

This week my guest is Eva Leigh, the author of My Fake Rake, Scandal Takes the Stage, Forever Your Earl, and many more historical romances. Her new romantasy The Sea Witch publishes this August with Canary Street Press.

Eva writes fantastically bold heroines who find freedom and power despite the patriarchy. We talked about sustaining a career in the romance genre, why pirates should be your next obsession, and embracing female rage. Plus, Eva’s decision to write a happily-ever-after for a sex worker in Dare to Love a Duke.

Follow Eva on Instagram as @evaleighauthor and on BlueSky as @evaleigh.bsky.social‬, or visit her website, evaleighauthor.com

Learn more about the pre-order campaign for The Sea Witch on Eva's Instagram 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.

Books and authors mentioned this episode include:

• Judith McNaught
• Jude Deveraux
• Johanna Lindsey
• Eva’s earlier work as Zoe Archer
• Lady Viper and The Bastard, Eva Leigh
• Dare to Love a Duke, Eva Leigh
• The work of Cat Sebastian
• The work of KJ Charles
• The Blades of the Rose, Zoe Archer
• To Catch a Raven, Beverly Jenkins

(Btw, Eva looked into the source of "Comparison is the thief of joy" and most folks do attribute it to Theodore Roosevelt. Still a mystery when/where he said it!)

Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons.

This week my guest is Olivia Dade, the author of Spoiler Alert, All The Feels, At First Spite, 40-Love and many others. She has two books coming out this year, ZOMROMCOM in August and Second Chance Romance in November. We had a sprawling conversation about her dive into paranormal romance, writing fat heroines who are older than 27 years old, and the unique challenges of editing sex scenes. 

Follow Olivia Dade on Bluesky as @oliviawrites.bsky.social‬, and sign up for her newsletter at go.oliviadade.com/Newsletter.

Pre-order ZOMROMCOM, SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE and other romance novels featured on Rebel Ever After in my affiliate bookstore at bookshop.org/lists/rebel-ever-after

Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the brand new Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast! Your financial support makes this independent production possible. 

Theme music created by Dalton Deschain.

Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen.

Books mentioned this episode include:

• The Flesh Series, Kylie Scott
• Reawakening, Charlotte Stein
• Last Light, Claire Kent
• Hold, Claire Kent
• The Spoiler Alert series, Olivia Dade
• Cover Me, Olivia Dade
• But How Are You, Really, Ella Dawson (that's me!)
• The Hating Game, Sally Thorne
• The work of Emma Barry

My guest for Pride month's premium episode is Nina Haines, the founder of the virtual sapphic book club Sapph-Lit and the brand new publishing imprint of the same name. Nina is an advocate for queer authors and a community builder both online and offline. I asked her about her career as a bookish content creator, her thoughts on sapphic representation, and her decision to partner with Bindery to publish sapphic romance novels. Yes, you will hear the word “sapphic” a million times in this episode! We also gossiped about brands turning their backs on the LGBTQ community, and why book reviewers are so hard on lesbian characters. 

Listen to the full episode at patreon.com/brosandprose ! 

Rebel Ever After be back on July 14th. If you miss me, get on the Rebel ever After Discord and chat with me and fellow listeners! Patreon subscribers have access.

Join the Sapph-Lit community on Bindery: https://sapphlit.binderybooks.com/

Follow Nina on Instagram as @nina.haines, and Sapph-Lit as @sapphlit.

• The Warrior Cats series by Erin Hunter

• The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

• Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

• The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

• The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

• The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

• The works of Audre Lorde, Cookie Mueller, and Eileen Myles

• Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters

• Saturn Returning by Kim Narby (coming in Spring 2026)

• Bless The Blood: A Cancer Memoir by Walela Nehanda

• All This Could Be Different by Sarah Thankam Mathews

• You Exist Too Much by Zaina Arafat

• Mistakes Were Made by Meryl Wilsner

• The Bright Falls series by Ashley Herring Blake

• Here For The Wrong Reasons by Annabel Paulson and Lydia Wang

• The work of Emily Austin

• Triple Sec by TJ Alexander

• Single Player by Tara Tai

• The Secret Summer Promise by Keah Brown

• One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston