The quickndirtyromance's Podcast

Romance loves a fresh start. Real life loves a mess. In this episode of The Quick and Dirty Romance Podcast, we unpack why romance loves reinvention and why the fantasy hits hardest in January. From fresh starts and glow-ups to the reality of change that is anything but tidy, we explore how romance stories let characters grow without erasing who they already are. Sarah's new release is out now! CLICK HERE Skye has two books on preorder! CLICK HERE

Is his size really the point… or is it just shorthand for fantasy? In this episode, we start with a cheeky romance-reader favorite and dig into the deeper conversation underneath: why romance novels so often depict “ideal” men, how those ideals intersect with body image, and where readers (and writers) draw the line between realism and fantasy. We talk about: Why romance heroes are idealized on purpose What fantasy bodies do (and don’t) mean about real people Whether idealized men create unrealistic expectations or safe emotional escape And why romance doesn’t have to apologize for being fantasy It’s funny, honest, a little spicy, and ultimately about what romance is really offering us when we open the book. Check out Skye's books here. Check out Sarah's books here.

When a meet-cute becomes a meet-hate. Want to talk conflict, sparks, and all the delicious tension that comes when two people shouldn’t be meeting, yet absolutely do? In this episode, hosts Sarah Smith & Skye McDonald dive into the trope of the “meet-hate,” that moment when attraction isn’t instant, misunderstandings fly, and rivalry becomes the unlikely prelude to romance. We’ll unpack: Why authors love pitting characters against each other at first sight How a strong “hate” stake raises the emotional and romantic tension Examples of meet-hates in our books romance Reader reactions: what works, what flops, and when the hate flips to love Whether you’re a writer building your next meet-hate scene, or a reader who thrills at enemies-to-lovers in fast-forward, you’re going to want your headphones for this one. It’s quick, it’s dirty (romance-style), and we promise to leave you satisfied. Tune in and let’s stir up some tension. 🔥

Join Sarah & Skye for the Quick & Dirty ins and outs of Romance Book Conventions. In this episode, we dive deep into: 💖 What makes cons an amazing place for readers & authors to connect 🙅‍♀️The pitfalls, disasters, and behind-the-scenes drama of book conventions gone wrong ⁉️ A sneak peek at a possible bookish retreat with us (yes, it could really happen!) If you’ve ever wondered what really happens at a romance book convention—or you’re planning to attend your first—this episode is packed with tips, laughs, and insider secrets.

Put the headphones in for this one! Sarah and Skye are talking about the steamy bits in books, and we are explicit!  Skye recently polled her newsletter and Facebook group to learn what readers want in their steamy romances. Do you agree? We break down the "dirty" data and discuss how it informs our writing.  Join Skye's the Limit by clicking here. Read Sarah's Books Here.    

New Year, New Topic, Same Fascinating Conversations!  Sarah and Skye kick off 2025 by diving deep on how fast romance authors should publish books. In the Bookstagram/Booktok era of rabid fandoms, authors are working hard to make sure they give their readers more, more, more.  Is this a smart approach? Must you crank out a book a month to keep a fanbase? Should you push the speed of your publishing as an indie author? We tackle all these questions and more! Have an idea for an episode? Reach out! Thank you for leaving a review. Read Sarah's books here. Read Skye's books here.

What A Year! Skye & Sarah look back on 2024's highs and lows of author life.  We Each Published a Hockey Series! Growth, Learning, & Disappointments. All Part of Our Journey!  Join us as we celebrate another year of friendship and romance. AND we're celebrating 5 years of Quick & Dirty Romance Podcast!  Thank you listeners, we love you!  Read Skye's New Holiday Novella Free on KU. CLICK HERE Read Sarah's Books! CLICK HERE

Sarah & Skye, both professional romance authors, dive deep on what it's like to write for a living. Join us as we discuss our daily schedule for cranking out word counts, how we juggle marketing and writing books, plus what we REALLY think about social media! Read Sarah's DIRTY PUCKER now. Read Skye's IN THE CREASE now. Enter to win our hockey book box! 

Should authors vent about their jobs on social media?? Skye & Sarah are ruffling feathers!  Hot takes on whether authors are doing themselves favors by bemoaning the publishing industry on social media. Warning-we don't hold back here!  **We both have new releases right now! And we're giving away a hockey themed book box!** Hockey Book Box Rules & Submission: CLICK HERE Read Skye's books! Click here. Read Sarah's books! Click here.

Join Skye & Sarah for a discussion of why choose romance. From rebranding (reverse harem) to polyamory, from Adirondack chairs to upside down pineapples, we get quick and dirty on this trope and its rise in popularity! Read Skye's books! Click here. Read Sarah's books! Click here.

Skye and Sarah discuss the delicate dynamic between authors and ARC readers. -Do authors have a right to request positive reviews only? -Do readers have an obligation to communicate with an author if they're unable to meet expected deadlines? Listen and learn! And the leave a review!  

Romantic Suspense author Lori Matthews joins Sarah & Skye. Today, we discuss how we give our audience what they're thirsty for--while staying true to our own ethical boundaries. This convo goes deep, so get ready! Learn more about Lori on her website http://www.lorimatthewsbooks.com Sarah's new hockey romance: https://shorturl.at/R1nEB Skye's new hockey romance is out this week! https://amzn.to/4bkQboi  

Queer and AuDHD author Allie Lasky joins Sarah & Skye to talk about expectations and ideals on relationships, in fiction and real life. Does romance set too high a bar for real life dynamics? How do we know when we're in our happy-ever-after phase? Let's dive into this fascinating topic! Learn more about Allie on her website and check out her new release on Amazon, coming June 30! Preorder Skye's new hockey romance, Scored On HERE Sarah's new hockey romance is out now! Click HERE

Sarah & Skye welcome R.L. Merrill to the show to talk about music. R.L. ("Ro") writes contemporary, paranormal, and horror romance. Her newest book, UNDER HIS SHEETS, is a M/M light Romantic Suspense and part of the Accidentally Undercover series. In this episode, we dive deep into the impact music has on our writing. From soundtracks to inspo, all of us use music in some way or another. Ro especially hears her works set to songs. Join us and laugh as we discuss first concerts and more! Click here for Ro's new release  Click here for Sarah's new release  Click here for Skye's new release 

Sarah & Skye welcome special guests to the pod! Tonya Clark & Naomi Springthorp are contemporary romance authors. They team up to photograph romance covers and host the LOVE & DEVOTION reader con. Partnerships. How do we collaborate for success in this industry? What are best practices for working with your bestie? AND what are some of the wild and wackier moments these ladies have had when working with hot cover models?? Listen & find out! Then follow these ladies for more. Click here to follow Tonya on Facebook Click here to follow Naomi on Facebook   Click here to follow Love & Devotion on Facebook   Click for Skye's book Click for Sarah's new book 

(New logo!) Sarah & Skye discuss the SLOW BURN in romance. What even defines the slow burn? How slow is too slow? The Quick & Dirty ladies then go deeper on steamy scenes in their novels. (This episode isn't for kids!) *Special Announcement!!* Get ready for new episodes featuring guest romance authors! We're very excited about these new special shows! Preorder Skye's new book: https://amzn.to/3U1R3HJ Get Sarah's new book: CLICK HERE 

Skye & Sarah chat about choosing names for characters in our romance books. Why does Skye swoon for Quentin & Luke Paris? What name will Sarah never, ever name her hero? Listen now and find out! THANK YOU FOR LEAVING US A REVIEW, DEAR LISTENER!  

Sarah & Skye have a lot to say about the pros and cons of romance's 3rd act breakup. Readers have been trending away from this trope, but if done right, it's still a great climax for the story. But does it hold up IRL? The ladies discuss this and more. *Thank you for 10K downloads! We're giving away a prize as a thank you. Enter here to win, loyal listener! Preorder Sarah's new fake dating release here Preorder Skye's new hockey romance here  

Sarah & Skye drop in for a quick holiday message! We'll be back in 2024 with lots of new content. For now, relax, enjoy, and know we appreciate you! *Don't miss the title reveals of both Skye and Sarah's upcoming releases!* PREORDER BOTH: Click now and get SCORELESS at a 30% discount when you preorder! Don't miss the 3rd book in the Grant Siblings Series! Click here and preorder now!

Sarah and Skye are in their hockey eras! Find out why ice is so damn hot! In this episode, the Quick & Dirty Romance ladies discuss why hockey romance is so popular. They share their fandoms--or not--in real life, too, and what inspired them to write their respective hockey love stories.   Buy Snow, Ice, & Spice Preorder SCORELESS