Ella Dawson on Politics, Escapism, and Diverse Romance | Rebel Ever After Artwork

We Read Smut: Bookish Conversations for Romance Readers

Finally, a home for the spice you love and the representation you deserve. We Read Smut, hosted by Alesia, builds a judgment-free zone for readers who crave spicy plots and substance. We celebrate high-heat stories and inclusive casts. If you want open-door romance that features every body, you found the right show.

What to expect:

Trope Breakdowns: We dissect the best (and hottest) tropes in the genre.
Author Interviews: Hear the story behind the spice from your favorite creators.
Shelf Help: Expert guidance to help you conquer your TBR pile.
Inclusive Stories: We prioritize representative leads and diverse voices.

Whether you're a seasoned smut reader or just dipping your toes into the genre, this podcast is for you. We leave the shame at the door and celebrate the power of a well-written romance.

Join the Circle: Want personalized book picks and a private chat with Alesia? Join the After Dark Circle on Substack. Supporters get full access to every post and our private community of romance fans.

Connect with us: Follow @WeReadSmut on Instagram and use the hashtag #WeReadSmut to share your current read.

All Episodes

We Read Smut: Bookish Conversations for Romance Readers

Ella Dawson on Politics, Escapism, and Diverse Romance | Rebel Ever After

January 14, 2026 • WeReadSmut • Season 3 • Episode 2

0:00 | 42:47

In a world that often feels bleak, can a romance novel be more than just a fluffy distraction? This week on We Read Smut, Alesia sits down with author and sex culture critic Ella Dawson to discuss her podcast, Rebel Ever After, and the vital role of progressive romance in modern society. From debunking consumerism in book collecting to exploring why we need diverse stories now more than ever, this episode is a deep dive into the heart of the genre.

Ella Dawson is an NYC-based sex and culture critic and the author of But How Are You, Really, a romance novel about college reunions and millennial angst. She is also the host of the Rebel Ever After podcast about progressive romance novels. She was once internet famous for having herpes, but that’s a whole other story. Ella is proudly bisexual, anxious, and addicted to Diet Coke. Follow her on social media as @brosandprose.

Key Takeaways:

The Buying Books Hot Take: Ella and Alesia tackle the idea that overbuying books is evil consumerism. They argue that being intentional with your money—like supporting Black debut authors or indie bookstores—is a net good for the industry.
The Power of Progressive Romance: Romance isn't just escapism; it is a space to envision a world where everyone gets a happily ever after, regardless of marriage or children.
Reading as a Window or Mirror: Alesia shares how reading diversely isn't a hardship but a way to learn about adjacent cultures and see oneself reflected in stories, moving away from boring high-level algorithm picks.
Historical Romance as Political Commentary: Ella highlights how historical settings allow authors to engage with heavy topics like suffrage, classism, and colonialism with a unique sense of freedom.
A Millennial Cranky Romance: Ella discusses her debut novel, which explores the specific generational experience of coming of age between the Obama and Trump eras while navigating burnout and economic precariousness.

"How you spend your money has a huge impact on what type of authors are given opportunities." This week, we challenge you to skip the major algorithm recommendation and pick up a book by a diverse indie or debut author!

CONNECT WITH Ella Dawson:

Website

But How Are You, Really (Book)

Instagram

Running list of books mentioned (Doc)

Join the After Dark Substack Community

Connect with Alesia:
Storygraph

Instagram

This podcast was produced by Galati Media.
Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective.