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Dear Bitches, Smart Authors Podcast, Episode No. #24. An Interview with Nalini Singh

Jane — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 15:00:16 +0000

Surprise, surprise, Nalini Singh was in our hotel room, so we tied her to a chair and Sarah Wendell interviewed her. She’s live, not on Skype, and it’s a really fun and casual conversation because we didn’t plan to do this. We had the microphone and a half hour to chat. We did attempt to get real answers out of her, and were totally unsuccessful, despite threats and stares of doom.

You’ll hear about how Nalini approaches her writing and her series, and we talk about heroines, reality television, reading romance, and Gwen Stefani, too.

Here are some of the books, foods, and songs we talked about in the podcast:

Gwen Stefani – I’m Just a Girl

If you have content suggestions, tips on how to do this whole thing better, or general wtf-ery comments, email us. It’s all welcome because a) we are new to this and b) we don’t really know what we are doing so the wtf comments are probably all valid. The email address for the podcast is sbjpodcast@gmail.com.

Thanks to Jane, and to Sassy Outwater, who provided the new and original music for this podcast, and will be featured in future podcasts as well. This week’s song features Sassy on the fiddle and JD on the piano, and is called “Fiddler on the Loose.”

If you like the Podcast, you can subscribe to our feed, or find us at iTunes. You can also find us at PodcastPickle.

You can email us at sbjpodcast@gmail.com, or you can call and leave us a message at our Google voice number: 201-371-DBSA. Please don’t forget to give us a name and where you’re calling from so we can work your message into our next podcast.

No related posts.

Dear Bitches, Smart Authors Podcast, Episode No. 22, The Romance Canon

Jane — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 17:00:09 +0000

This is a big ol’ podcast: we start out talking briefly about novellas and short digital reads that I liked, but our main topic is the canon. What romances form the genre’s canon for historical, contemporary, and paranormal? We talk in circles a good bit (sorry about that) and we discuss what a canon is, and why it means different things to different groups. Writers and readers, for example may have different ideas of what their romance canon would be. By the end, I’m convinced that what books belong in the canon depend in large part on how you define the canon. I’m not sure I know what the definition is.

I’m sure there’s many writers you think have been left off, and so if you’d like to add or subtract from our list, you can email us at

sbjpodcast@gmail.com

Or, and this is new, you can call and leave us a message at our Google voice number: 201-371-DBSA. If you want to tell us why we’re wrong (or right!) about something, leave us a message, and please don’t forget to give us a name and where you’re calling from so we can work your message into our next podcast.

The music this week is, as always, provided by Sassy Outwater, and yes, we are all about the peatbog! The track is called “Room 215″ and it’s by the Peatbog Faeries from their albums, which are available at their website. You can find them at iTunes as well.

If you like the Podcast, you can subscribe to our feed, or find us at iTunes. You can also find us at PodcastPickle.

Here are some of the books we mentioned in this week’s edition:

Dear Bitches, Smart Authors Podcast, Episode DABWAHA 2012

Jane — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 17:06:53 +0000

It’s DABWAHA Time!

We’re talking about what categories will be in this year’s DABWAHA Tournament of romance novels, and what books we think should appear in some of the categories. Also, we were both typing too close to the microphone, and I apologize for the tappity tap tap.

This week's music was provided by Sassy Outwater, and this track is called "Suzy," by a Parisian group called Caravan Palace. You can find their album, "Caravan Palace," on iTunes, and you can find the band on MySpace and Facebook.

If you like the Podcast, you can subscribe to our feed, or find us at iTunes. You can also find us at PodcastPickle. OR, you can like us on Facebook and chat about the episodes there!

In our next episode, we’ll be talking about the “romance canon,” those books that are an integral part of romance’s history as a genre.

If you have content suggestions or have feedback, email us! The email address for the podcast is sbjpodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening!

Dear Bitches, Smart Authors Podcast, Episode No. 20. The Mysterious Hymen

Jane — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:18:43 +0000

We’re back! And it’s podcast time – wherein we talk about what YOU think the misplaced hymen should be called.

We also decided that you should pick the winner, so make your choice from the selection below and let us know what you think is the best entry. Please note: there were some late entries (heh heh) to the contest that don’t appear in the podcast but do appear in the voting.

This week’s music was provided by Sassy Outwater, and this track is called “Dragons,” by a Parisian group called Caravan Palace. You can find their album, “Caravan Palace,” on iTunes, and you can find the band on MySpace and Facebook.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/caravan-palace/id378402157
http://www.myspace.com/caravanpalace
http://www.facebook.com/CaravanPalace

If you like the Podcast, you can subscribe to our feed, or find us at iTunes.

You can also find us at PodcastPickle.

In our next episode, we’re talking about this year’s DABWAHA – get ready for March Madness™, Romance-novel style!

If you have content suggestions or have feedback, email us! The email address for the podcast is sbjpodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening!

OOPS! Forgot the list of books we discussed in this episode! Here you go:

Dear Bitches, Smart Authors Podcast, Episode No. 19

Jane — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:00:26 +0000

This was recorded when I was coming down with the flu and pneumonia, and I’m slightly out of breath – and coughing. I edited out most of the coughing but if I missed one, I apologize.

This episode includes Sarah’s nefarious plans for Romantic Times in 2012 in Chicago, reader mail from Sarah’s inbox about buying books, picking self published books for review and how we do it, pitching books for review and how not to do it, and reacting and responding to reviews. Jane also tries to recommend books to Sarah.

Here are the books we discuss in this episode:

And yes – more Peatbog!

The music this week was provided by Sassy Outwater, and the track is called “Nyup” and it’s by the Peatbog Faeries from their 2007 album What Men Deserve to Lose. You can find them at their website, or at iTunes.

If you like the Podcast, you can subscribe to our feed, or find us at iTunes. You can also find us at PodcastPickle.

In our next episode, we’ll be taking a look at your contest entries to give a name to the misallocation of the hymen. Get ready for hilarity.

If you have content suggestions or have feedback, email us! The email address for the podcast is sbjpodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening!

Dear Bitches, Smart Authors Podcast, Episode No. 18, Listener EMails and “Coltish”

Jane — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:00:13 +0000

We are back with a new podcast! AND I have a new microphone that KICKS IN OMG about 4 minutes in, but after that I sound a lot better. Which is funny because I was coming down with the flu at the time we recorded. Heh.

This week we are all about Listener Mail. We’re discussing our werewolf best-of, pack dynamics, happy drunks, books that make you cry, coltish legs, and the discomfort zone.

We’ve also got More Peatbog!

The music this week was provided by Sassy Outwater, who heard my plea, and your pleas, for MORE PEATBOG. This week’s music is called “Room 215″ and it’s by the Peatbog Faeries from their new CD Dust. You can find them at their website, or at iTunes.

And here’s the list of books we talk about in this episode:

If you like the Podcast, you can subscribe to our feed, or find us at iTunes. You can also find us at PodcastPickle.

Reminder: If you subscribe via iTunes, please UPDATE your LINKS: The New iTunes link is live here.

If you have content suggestions or have feedback, email us! The email address for the podcast is sbjpodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening!

Dear Bitches, Smart Authors Podcast, Episode No. 17. Ridiculousness Threshold: 29 December 2011

Jane — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 03:13:27 +0000

We’re back for one last podcast in 2011, and we’re talking about the ridiculousness threshold – the point at which you can no longer accept character or plot insanity and can’t enjoy the book. We also talk a bit about books that we love and at the time of recording were reading. So it’s a bit in the past but hey, good book recs never go stale.

The music this week was provided by Sassy Outwater, who accosts musicians on the street and finds us . This week’s music is called “The Naughty Step” and it’s by Peatbog Faeries from their new CD Dust. You can find them at their website, or at iTunes.

We’ve featured this song in a prior podcast, but this is by far the most popular of the music we’ve featured based on listener feedback. We’ll have new podcasts, more improvements in sound quality (bit by bit anyway) and more music in 2012, so fear not.

As usual, here’s the list of books we talk about in the podcast:

Reminder: If you subscribe via iTunes, please UPDATE your LINKS: The New iTunes link is live here.

Yes, the episodes are still all out of order – I have NO idea why – but if you note we’ve numbered the episodes while I try to figure out what the hell iTunes wants now to make them display in order.

As for the podcast, if you like it, you can subscribe to our feed at Feedburner or at iTunes. You can also find us at PodcastPickle.

If you have content suggestions or have feedback, email us! The email address for the podcast is sbjpodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening!

Shopping, Reading, and Renaming the Podcast: 16 December 2011

Jane — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:00:35 +0000

It’s a new podcast! WITH a WHOLE NEW NAME! YAY!

Seriously. Sorry for the delay. Blame iTunes. We had to change the name of the podcast because iTunes didn’t like the word “Bitches.” I cannot imagine why!

If you subscribe via iTunes, please UPDATE your LINKS: The New iTunes link is live here.

Yes, the episodes are all out of order – I have NO idea why – but if you note we’ve numbered the episodes while I try to figure out what the hell iTunes wants now to make them display in order.

This week I convince Jane to talk about the Agony / Ecstasy Anthology, and we reminisce about old ebook stores and old reading devices. We also discuss schmoopy epilogues, were-bears, and books we’re reading right now.

Here’s the list of titles we’re talking about this week, along with a link to any devices or apps we discuss, too.

The Mantano App

This week the music is My Cherie Amour, recorded by Jason Hemmens from his album Welcome to Reality. You can find out more at JasonHemmens.com and you can find his album on iTunes or wherever you find your music.

The music is provided by Sassy Outwater, who knows a lot of musicians of all different styles of music, and sends them all to us. You can find Sassy Outwater on Twitter @sassyoutwater.

As for the podcast, if you like it, you can subscribe to our feed at Feedburner or at iTunes. You can also find us at PodcastPickle.

If you have content suggestions or have feedback, email us! The email address for the podcast is sbjpodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening!

Dear Bitches, Smart Authors Podcast: October 18, 2011: Reader Mail

Jane — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:00:37 +0000

It’s podcast time! This week: we peek in the mailbox and answer listener email. Are paranormals and vampire romances on the way out? Have we reached saturation?

What surprises does our email inbox hold for us? And what book will Sarah read aloud this time? All the answers are here for your enjoyment. And, as always, here’s a list of the books we talk about:

Sandra Hill’s Kiss of Pride

The music this week was provided by Sassy Outwater, who knows a heaping ton of musicians and finds original music for us for each episode. This week’s music is called “The Naughty Step” and it’s by Peatbog Faeries from their new CD Dust. You can find them at their website, or at iTunes.

As for the podcast, if you like it, you can subscribe to our feed at Feedburner or at iTunes. You can also find us at PodcastPickle.

If you have content suggestions or have feedback, email us! The email address for the podcast is sbjpodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening!

Dear Bitches Smart Authors Podcast: Jane Interviews Sarah regarding “Everything I Know About Love, I Learned from Romance Novels

Jane — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 15:00:24 +0000

For this edition of the Dear Bitches, Smart Authors podcast, Jane (me) asks Sarah Really Really Hard Questions about Everything I Know About Love, I Learned from Romance Novels, known affectionately as EIKAL. I tried to ask hard questions about the book. Sarah said she felt cross examined.

I hope you enjoy the interview, and get a little insight into the book – which is now available at bookstores and libraries near you.

This week’s music is from Shadow Orchestra, and the very mellow track is called “Matilda Reprise.” You can find Shadow Orchestra at iTunes or at their website.

We also talk about books we loved that feature strong female friendships, and you’ll get to hear the EXTREMELY rare occurrence that Sarah knows an author’s name that Jane can’t remember(!!). And, as requested, here’s the list of books we talk about in this podcast:

You can subscribe to our feed at Feedburner or at iTunes. You can also find us at PodcastPickle where you can leave feedback and giggle with me at the pickle part.

If you have content suggestions or have feedback, email us! The email address for the podcast is sbj.podcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening!

Dear Bitches, Smart Authors Podcast: September 22, 2011: Romangst

Jane — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 14:00:33 +0000

It’s podcast time! This week we are talking about what I call “romangst:” angst romance at its finest and most emotional. Sarah and I have an intense discussion of romangst and what makes it good & believable, from historicals to Harlequin Presents. We talk about whether the angsty character be healed, and if we can believe that someone who is that fucked up will have a happy ending as functioning or mostly functioning adult. We are ALL over the place.

Note from Sarah: you may notice that at recording time, I had a cold. Enjoy Stuffy Sarah. I even edited out two sniffles, a sneeze, and the possible sound of my dog hoerking on the rug. You’re welcome! Nothing says “romangst” like dog hoerk.

As per your requests, here are the books we discussed in this podcast – heads up, there are a LOT OF THEM.

You can subscribe to our feed at Feedburner or at iTunes. You can also find us at PodcastPickle.

If you have content suggestions or have feedback, email us! The email address for the podcast is sbj.podcast@gmail.com. Next up: reader mail! And another excerpt of hilarious dubiousness.

Dear Bitches, Smart Authors Podcast: September 14, 2011 : Backlist and Old Skool Romance

Jane — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 09:00:52 +0000

It’s podcast time! This week, we’re talking about old skool romances, digital backlists and the prices we are willing to pay. We also talk about how readers value books, and the possibilities of collectible books. The audio on my part is really poor and I apologize about that. This time I was somewhere different and my mic was rubbing against my sweater, I think. Sarah did her best to eliminate the extra noise. If you can, don’t use headphones. I promise that the audio will be better next time.

Readers have asked that we list the books we talk about, so here you go. All the titles we talk about in this episode:

And Promise Me Tomorrow by Nora Roberts, the holy grail of used books for many readers.

You can subscribe to our feed at Feedburner or at iTunes.

Download as well. PLEASE for the love of God right click and save, or the server will crash. Crash!

Sarah is editing two more, one that answers our awesome collection of reader mail, and another that discusses “romangst,” the romances that contain (obviously) a whole lotta angst.

Dear Bitches, Smart Author Podcast, Episode No. 9

Jane — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 13:18:21 +0000

We have a special podcast this week: both of us had the opportunity to interview Stephanie Laurens as part of her media tour for Viscount Breckenridge to the Rescue, and to raise awareness for Avon’s KISS and Teal program. Avon has made a $25,000.00 donation to the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, and will donate .25 for each book, digital or print, purchased as part of the KISS and Teal promotion. Books marked with the teal ribbon are part of the promotion.

You can subscribe to our feed at Feedburner or at iTunes.

Mp3 is available for download as well (by right clicking and save as). Please don’t play it in the browser because it kills our server.

Our interviews were recorded by phone in two parts, so we sound a little muffled, and each one of us has a segment where we ask questions – fortunately we didn’t ask exactly the same questions! Our discussion covers research science, ovarian cancer and Avon’s KISS & Teal program, and Laurens’ most beloved books, characters and family stories. And the weather!

A few of you asked for a list of books discussed during the podcast. Here you go: these are the books we mention in the podcast:

We are planning more author interviews – including a time-zone-breaking interview with Sarah Mayberry very soon – so if you have questions for Sarah Mayberry or suggestions of who we should interview next, email us at sbjpodcastATgmailDOTcom.

As usual, the music is from Sassy Outwater. This week’s piece is Sassy on the harp, and is called “Fleurie de Brasil.”

Hope you enjoy!

Dear Bitches, Smart Authors Podcast, episode #8

Jane — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 01:37:08 +0000

We’re back with a new – and longer! – episode. This time around we’re talking about popular series in romance, specifically small town community romances for which I have a particular name.

If you’ve ever wondered why it is that we so seldom choose a Save the Contemporary title, you’ll learn in this episode. We’ll also talk about streak reading, what we’re reading that’s awesome, and we’ll discuss some books that are coming out this fall. Plus, there’s special extra awesome erotica excerpt reading by Sarah. It’s toward the end and you’ll want to read it.

You can find us at iTunes.

Mp3 is available for download as well (by right clicking and save as). Please don’t play it in the browser because it kills our server.

Thanks to Sarah who sets this up, asks all the questions, and does all the editing. Basically this podcast would not exist without her. And to Sassy Outwater, who provided the new and original music for this podcast, and will be featured in future podcasts as well. This week’s song features Sassy on the fiddle and JD on the piano, and is called “Fiddler on the Loose.”

Dear Bitches, Smart Authors Podcast, episode #7

Jane — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 13:30:42 +0000

Back in 2009, Sarah Wendell and I did a few podcasts about romance novels. We’re BACK. And the audio is NOT AS GOOD. (We don’t know what we are doing . . . yet)

But we’re back, and we’re talking about what we’re reading, and which Harlequin Presents we both enjoy. Plus, we discuss at length a historical romance that’s coming out in December that we both adored and cannot wait to share with readers.

You can find us here iTunes or download the mp3 file here. Please don’t play it straight from the browser. It kills the server.

Future podcasts will involve interviews with anyone who will take our calls, and fun discussions of romances past, present and future. If you have content suggestions, tips on how to do this whole thing better, or general wtf-ery comments, email us. It’s all welcome because a) we are new to this and b) we don’t really know what we are doing so the wtf comments are probably all valid. The email address for the podcast is sbj.podcast@gmail.com.

Thanks to Sarah who invited me, and to Sarah Outwater, who provided the music for this podcast, and will be featured in future podcasts as well.

At the end of the podcast, we offer up three ARCs of this December book we both love. Those have all been claimed so I will promise to give away 5 finished copies when it comes out the first five podcast listeners who follow the instructions at the end of the podcast but you must note that you are coming from Dear Author. Thanks folks. We’ll have more books to giveaway in December, I promise.

Dear Bitches, Smart Authors Podcast with Carolyn Jewel

Jane — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 18:00:16 +0000

Welcome to another podcast Tuesday. It’s not every Tuesday, but every other Tuesday, but regardless, grab your nearest audio device and give a listen: it’s podcast time!

Jane and I discuss our favorite romance tropes, from the friends-to-lovers to the makeover plot, and all the tropes in between that we cannot resist. Then Carolyn Jewel is with us to talk about female empowerment, or the lack thereof, in historical times, and how the true history of the political, economic, and social status of women can make for some painfully fascinating characters.

Mp3 is available for download as well. PLEASE for the love of God right click and save, k? Esosoft and I will thank you.

You can subscribe to our feed at Feedburner or at iTunes If you have content suggestions, tips on how to do this whole thing better, or general wtf-ery comments, email us. It’s all welcome because a) we are new to this and b) we don’t really know what we are doing so the wtf comments are probably all valid. The email address for the podcast is sbj.podcast@gmail.com.

This podcast is brought to you by the letters E, J, and S, and by Morgan from Miss Media Productions. Thanks, Morgan!

Dear Bitches, Smart Authors Podcast with Claudia Dain

Jane — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 02:00:47 +0000

Author Claudia Dain joins us to talk about The Courtesan Chronicles and the role of empowered women in historical romance.Dain also discusses the challenge of creating a powerful female character – who is not your 11pm bootycall.
Jane and I also ruminate on the rarity of the empowered, clever heroine who actively pursues what she wants without compunction.

You can subscribe to our feed at Feedburner or at iTunes

This podcast is brought to you by the letters E, B, and HQN, and by Morgan from Miss Media Productions. Thanks, Morgan!

Dear Bitches, Smart Authors Podcast with Guest Angela James

Jane — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 14:46:39 +0000

This is our second official podcast wherein we talk about romance books with guest interviewee Angela James, executive editor of the publishing house Sam of Hain (Samhain). Some may think that Angela and we are BFFs. In truth, though, Sarah and I are not BFFs with Angie. Angie is BFF is someone far more popular* than Sarah and I and would drop us in a heartbeat to go and rock it with the Popular Person. Angie is really just a opportunist BFF which is why she agreed to be our second victim, err, guest on the Dear Bitches, Smart Authors Podcast. Cue fun, sexy music.

Technical notes: this is the feed to the podcast and you can click on this link to add it to iTunes. We can’t curse on the podcast due to iTunes content restrictions. (Dammit fuck).

This podcast is brought to you by the letters E, B, and HQN, and by Morgan from Miss Media Productions. Thanks, Morgan!

*This references the fact that Nora Roberts refers to Angela James as her BFF from MD.

Dear Bitches, Smart Authors First Inaugural Podcast

Jane — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 16:00:47 +0000

So you listened to the test one, but now want to hear the first inaugural podcast, right? We retread some of the economic discussion from our earlier podcast, but we have more to say about what’s selling, most notably ebooks. We also have as our first guest Malle Vallik, Director Digital Content & Interactivity, from Harlequin with us to discuss all things bright and digital from Harlequin. Enjoy!

Technical notes: this is the feed to the podcast and you can click on this link to add it to iTunes. We can’t curse on the podcast due to iTunes content restrictions. (Dammit fuck).

This podcast is brought to you by the letters E, B, and HQN, and by Morgan from Miss Media Productions. Thanks, Morgan!

Â Dear Bitches Smart Authors Inaugural Podcast

Jane — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:55:12 +0000

Sarahand I have kicked this idea around for a while but didn’t do anything about it until our fairy godmother, Morgan from Miss Media Productions came along and waved her special wand and made it happen. This is our first podcast. I’m driving, Sarah is too close to the phone, and we generally don’t know what the F we are doing. I know that this makes you want to listen all the more eagerly.

This is the feed to the podcast and you can click on this link to add it to iTunes. We can’t curse on the podcast due to iTunes content restrictions. But we try.

Feel free to give us content suggestions, tips on how to do this whole thing better, or general wtf-ery comments. It’s all welcome because a) we are new to this and b) we don’t really know what we are doing so the wtf comments are probably all valid. The email address for the podcast is sbj.podcast@gmail.com