Rebel Ever After
Rebel Ever After is a romance podcast hosted by sex and culture critic Ella Dawson, author of 'But How Are You, Really'. Each episode features interviews with authors who write swoony, sexy, and progressive romance novels, exploring themes of love and resistance against fascism.
Episodes
The queer happily-ever-after with Emma R. Alban
This episode my guest is Emma R. Alban, the author of queer historical romances Don't Want You Like a Best Friend; You're The Problem, It's You; and Like In Love With You. Her first contemporary paranormal romance Happily Ever Afterlife hits shelves this September. We talked about writing pop-forward historical romances for Gen Z readers, how fanfiction influenced her as an author, and the logisti
Creating romance cover art with Leni Kauffman
On this episode of Rebel Ever After, my guest is romance cover illustrator Leni Kauffman. She is the creator of iconic covers like Hannah Grace's Icebreaker, as well as covers for books by Olivia Dade, Ashley Herring Blake, Emma R. Alban, and many more. I guarantee that you have some of Leni's work on your bookshelf or Kindle. We talked about how she started working in the romance genre, what the
Stoner rom-coms & chronic illness with Laura Piper Lee
My guest this week is a returning champion, my friend Laura Piper Lee! Her third romance POT SHOT comes out on May 19th and was just named an indie next pick. We talked about what inspired her to write about a woman living with Crohn's Disease who opens a dispensary in her hometown, happily-ever-afters that include chronic illness, and why the world needs more stoner rom-coms. This episode contain
TJ Alexander Returns! Queer love means breaking the rules
In this episode, TJ Alexander and I celebrate their new historical romance A Lady For All Seasons, a Shakespearean-esque screwball comedy with an unforgettable genderfluid lead. Then TJ introduces me to the real queer historical figures who inspired their characters, like the Ladies of Llangollen and Lord Byron. Plus: what you should know about the first proposed national book ban, and the importa
BDSM romance, power exchange & consent with Kate Hawthorne
This week my guest is queer BDSM romance author Kate Hawthorne, who also writes as Nikki Markham. We talked about the nuance of depicting ongoing negotiation and consent on the page, accountability in kink communities, and the long-lasting appeal of submissive coming out stories. Plus: why everyone needs a good platonic spanking. We do discuss some potentially triggering topics like what abuse can
Joy vs liberation in queer romance with Adib Khorram
This week on Rebel Ever After, my guest is Adib Khorram, a queer Iranian American author of fiction for all ages. His adult romances are I'LL HAVE WHAT HE'S HAVING and IT HAD TO BE HIM, and his newest YA novel ONE WORD, SIX LETTERS comes out March 17th. We had a wide ranging conversation about queer joy versus queer liberation, writing hot sex scenes with occasional farts, and dysmorphia and body
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
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 fa
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 cha
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? All
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 tr
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" mal
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
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
Sexy unionized ballet dancers with Chloe Angyal
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 B
Sample: Portland's Romance Bookstore with Katherine Morgan
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 bookseller
Alexandria Bellefleur won't stop writing queer romance
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,
Cozy witchy romance with Celestine Martin
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
Elissa Sussman on grief, horniness & movie stars
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 celebra
HEAs for sad girls! Depression rep with London Sperry
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 pr
Eva Leigh on female rage, witches and pirates
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
Olivia Dade on vampires, zombies and editing sex scenes
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. Follo
Sample: Publishing sapphic romance with Nina Haines
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 p
Disability rep, coming out, and self-love with Keah Brown
My guest this week is author, actress, and journalist Keah Brown. She has published three books, the 2019 essay collection The Pretty One: On Life, Pop Culture, Disability, and Other Reasons to Fall In Love With Me; the 2022 children's book Sam's Super Seats, and her YA romance debut The Secret Summer Promise in 2023. Keah, like the protagonist of The Secret Summer Promise, has cerebral palsy, and
A rom-com for gamers (and gaymers) with Tara Tai
My guest this week is Tara Tai, whose debut novel SINGLE PLAYER came out this January. It's a queer rom-com about two video game developers who clash over whether or not to include romantic storylines in their blockbuster new game Compass Hollow. Tara and I talked about what it was like for them to write a romance novel about gaming culture, and the similar social stigma of romance and gaming as a
Joyful M/M Rom-Coms with Chip Pons
My guest this week is Chip Pons, the author of You And I, Rewritten and the forthcoming reality TV romance Winging It With You. He walked me through his publishing journey, from querying agents to self-publishing to making his trad pub debut during Pride 2025. Then we talked about the radically beautiful cover of his rom-com. Finally, how can we bring more gay men into the romance community as rea
Love outside of the gender binary in hist-rom, with Joanna Lowell
Welcome to PRIDE, y'all!! This week's guest is Joanna Lowell, the author of historical romances including A Shore Thing, The Duke Undone, and A Rare Find, which comes out on June 10th. She is also a Professor in the English Department at Wake Forest University. We talked about her experience teaching modern romance novels alongside classics like Jane Austen in the classroom, and the threat the Tr
PREMIUM PREVIEW: Spring 2025 Discourse Round-up
Buckle up for the first ever Rebel Ever After quarterly romance discourse round-up. This month I analyzed the bad vibes of 2025: Why is the Chicago Sun Times recommending books that don't exist? Has publishing abandoned diverse voices? Why are popular books by black authors so hard to find in bookstores lately? Is Silver Elite a worthy successor to The Hunger Games? And what the hell is up with st
Historical romance is the best escape, with Harper St. George
This week's guest is Harper St. George, the author of many historical romances including The Heiress Gets A Duke, The Stranger I Wed, and Eliza and The Duke (out on June 24th). We talked about writing relationships between equals across different time periods, from Vikings to the Victorian Era to the Wild West. Plus: Is indie publishing the future for historical romance? Are progressive heroes "hi
Is "miscommunication" even a trope? With Betty Cayouette
This week's guest is Betty Cayouette, author of TELL ME HOW YOU REALLY FEEL and ONE LAST SHOT. We talked about writing a romance that starts with a third act breakup, if the miscommunication trope deserves the hate it gets, and why a second-chance needs an excellent apology. Then Betty and I talked about sneaking the wage gap into a rom-com, and romance heroines who have experienced sexual violenc
Sexy & grounded celebrity romance, with Myah Ariel
This week's guest is Myah Ariel, the author of two contemporary romance novels that take place in the entertainment industry. First we discussed how her mother's real life experience integrating an all-white school in the 1960s inspired her debut novel WHEN I THINK OF YOU. Then we dove into her new book NO ORDINARY LOVE, a deliciously sexy romance about a singer who falls in love with a baseball p
Autistic people are hot, with Leanne Schwartz
My guest this week is Leanne Schwartz! She is the author of several YA fantasy novels and the adult contemporary rom-com My Kind of Trouble, a brilliant homage to The Music Man. We talked about bringing a mid-century musical into the modern day with a stern librarian battling book bans in his community and a smoke show con artist who targets corrupt wealthy white men. We also talked at length abo
How Allison Raskin turned her broken engagement into a rom-com
My guest this week is New York Times best-selling author Allison Raskin, whose first rom-com Save The Date was published this April by Canary Street Press. You may know Allison from her podcast Just Between Us with Gabe Dunn, her mental health newsletter Emotional Support Lady, or her previous life as a BuzzFeed star. In this episode Allison shares the true story that inspired Save The Date, and w
Is self-publishing actually better than a book deal? With Georgina Kiersten
As traditional publishers adapt to Trump Era Part II, there is concern in Romancelandia that books are about to get a lot whiter, straighter, and more conventional. Luckily, indie authors don't have to deal with gatekeepers. Is self-publishing the future for diverse, queer, progressive romance novels? What should you know before you decide to go indie? My guest this week is Georgina Kiersten, who
How readers react when authors talk politics, with Joanna Shupe
My guest this week is Joanna Shupe, best-selling historical romance author whose books take place during the Gilded Age. Her latest book The Gilded Heiress publishes this August with Avon. Joanna's books have always been political, but apparently some of her readers didn't exactly pick up on the undertones of her work. When she wrote a newsletter reacting to Donald Trump's re-election, quite a fe
Queer adulthood and bisexual rep with Amy Spalding
My guest this week is Amy Spalding, author of many YA novels and the adult sapphic Out In Hollywood series. The latest installment, ON HER TERMS, was published in February by Kensington Books. Topics tackled include: How much queer representation in the YA genre has improved in the last decade, and coming out as bisexual "later in life." Is "adulthood" a scam, and what does it look like outside o
Why romance must be braver, with Adriana Herrera
This week's guest is Adriana Herrera, author of many contemporary and historical romances including a A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke. Adriana leads the pack when it comes to writing love stories that are bold, sexy and unwavering in their values. We talked about what it means to write brave romance novels, where the happily-ever-after includes a better world for everyone, not just the main charact
Trans identity & polyamory in romance with TJ Alexander
This week's guest is TJ Alexander, author of several queer contemporary romances including Chef's Choice and Second Chances In New Port Steven. TJ shared what readers can expect from their first historical romance, A Gentleman's Gentleman, publishing on March 11th. We talked about writing queer and trans identity back into history, and the many forms that masculinity can take. Then I pestered the
The "smut" discourse with Andie J. Christopher
My guest is Andie J. Christopher, the author of many contemporary romances including Unrealistic Expectations, Thank You Next, and Hot Under His Collar. She is also the creator of Stern Brunch Daddy, both the concept and the Substack. Together we dissected the never-ending "smut" discourse. Why do we keep having the same circular conversations about romance novels getting too explicit, and is that
Abortion in historical romance with Elizabeth Everett
My guest this week is Elizabeth Everett, the author of The Secret Scientists of London series and The Damsels of Discovery series. We discussed her book The Love Remedy, about a female apothecary in Victorian England who provides reproductive healthcare to women, and The Lady Sparks a Flame, which comes out in March. As a content warning, this episode includes a lot of discussion of abortion throu
Healthy relationships and conspiracy theories with Mallory Marlowe
Put on your cryptid-hunting gear! My guest this week is Mallory Marlowe, author of the contemporary romance Love and Other Conspiracies. Her 2024 debut was one of my favorite books of last year and features a heroine healing from an emotional abusive relationship. We talked about leaving behind toxic partners and workplaces, and how Mallory wrote a healthy romantic partnership worth swooning over.
The case for historical romance with Liana De la Rosa
[As a head's up I apologize for the low volume in this episode. I edited myself into a corner and cannot fix it. Normal volume episodes will return next week!] My guest this episode is Liana De la Rosa, the author of fantastic historical romances — most recently the Luna Sisters series, which takes place in England during the second Franco-Mexican War. Gabriela and His Grace, the last book in the
Reality TV satire and sapphic romance with Lydia Wang & Annabel Paulsen
In this week's episode I interview my friends Lydia Wang and Annabel Paulsen, the writing duo behind the sapphic Bachelor-inspired rom-com HERE FOR THE WRONG REASONS. We talked about reality television romance novels, the toxic polyamory of dating competition shows, and how compulsory heterosexuality hurts us all. Then we had a gossip about GoodReads review culture and the unfair burden readers pl
Writing genuinely funny romantic comedies, with Laura Piper Lee
My guest this week is Laura Piper Lee, the author of Hannah Tate, Beyond Repair and Zoe Brennan First Crush, which comes out Tuesday January 21. We talked about putting the comedy back in romantic comedy, the intense power of your first crush, why we need more casually queer characters, and the subversiveness of the single mom as a romantic hero. Follow Laura on Instagram @laurapiperlee, and orde
Black love and romance with Jessica P. Pryde
My guest this week on Rebel Ever After is Jessica P. Pryde! She is a contributing editor at Book Riot and the co-host of their biweekly romance podcast, When In Romance. In 2022, Jessica edited the essay anthology Black Love Matters: Real Talk on Romance, Being Seen, and Happily Ever Afters. Most recently, her short story "Why Won't you Die?" was published in Someplace Generous: An Inclusive Roman
Anti-capitalist romance with Nellie Wilson
My guest this week is Nellie Wilson, a teacher and historian who is the author of romance novels including Curated, Corporate Mandated Holiday Romance, and Steel My Heart: An Appalachian Romance. Her fiction is proudly anti-capitalist, and we talked about the need for romance novels about folks who don't live in Stars Hollow or Hollywood. If you hate JD Vance, you'll love this episode. Other topic
Cursed bonus episode: Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni
It turns out I owe Blake Lively, and all of you, an apology. In this quick episode, I go over the allegations against Justin Baldoni and the smear campaign he orchestrated of his It Ends With Us co-star. You can read my essay about how I fell for the smear campaign and the specific allegations against Baldoni and his co-producer Jamey Heath here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/i-fell-for-act-118745
Danica Nava on writing Native rom-coms
My guest this week is the effervescently funny Danica Nava, author of The Truth According to Ember, and the forthcoming Love Is a War Song, hitting bookstores in July 2025. Ember and Danuwoa's story is the first traditionally published romance novel by a Native author! We talked about the woeful history of Native representation in pop culture and how little has changed (I'm looking at you, Taylor
Jenny L. Howe on plus-size representation and masculinity in romance
This week my guest is Jenny L. Howe, the author of The Makeup Test, On The Plus Side, and How to Get a Life In Ten Dates, which comes out this Tuesday December 10th. She's also the author of the forthcoming YA romance, Love at Full Tilt. Topics discussed in this episode include: why every man in romance has the body of Chris Hemsworth, how romance often celebrates toxic masculinity, the fatphobia
Shelly Jay Shore on escapism vs. resistance in romance
My guest this week is Shelly Jay Shore, the author of the best-selling novel Rules For Ghosting. We talked about writing escapism versus resistance in romance, and the role of authors and artists in fighting the Trump administration. We also discussed how romance creates a safe way for readers to engage in hard emotional topics like mourning and death, and why we want to see more abortion stories
Erin Baldwin on writing rivals-to-lovers romance for teens
In this episode, I interview Erin Baldwin about her debut novel Wish You Weren't Here, a sapphic YA romance about two girls who can't stand each other but are forced to share a cabin at beloved summer camp Fogridge. We talk about writing the enemies-to-lovers trope for a young audience, accurately representing Gen Z teenagehood, and what Erin wishes she didn't have to cut from her final draft. Pu
Becca Grischow on writing broke, queer 20-somethings
During the innocent week before the 2024 election, I chatted with Becca Grischow about her debut novel I'LL GET BACK TO YOU, a sapphic Thanksgiving rom-com published by Penguin Books. We discussed Becca's career as a ghostwriter and what it's like to finally claim authorship of a book she wrote, including the downsides of being a queer author on TikTok. Plus the importance of writing broke, queer
Crash-launching Rebel Ever After!
As we face down a second Trump Presidency, we need the escapism of a good romance novel more than ever. But romance isn't a fluffy distraction from politics — from its first transgressive pages, the romance genre centered the needs, desires and ambitions of women. Now more than ever, we need romances that envision a world where everyone can live their happily ever after. Fight fascism, for
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