In our most recent RT Rewind, Amanda took a dive into the possibilities of The Baddest Virgin in Texas, by Maggie Shayne, a June 1997 release from Silhouette Intimate Moments. You can watch the whole episode - with pics - here: youtu.be/hSgLvSNjRT0

Accidents happen But they still cause injury Even if you don’t mean to do it Accidents cause injury Take care of the injury even if its an accident

You gotta read the post that follows this one but don't do it with your good seeing eyes. I'm just sayin

The pattern is they fire a ton of people, say they made a mistake, and then selectively rehire back only the most mediocre white men. This is why Black women's unemployment has spiked, the federal government used to be the largest employer of Black women until these monte carlo firings

Georgia was skating to MORTAL KOMBAT at the Olympics exhibition gala

Had managed to forget about #AmazonFail They didn't want erotica (especially queer erotica) showing up on their bestseller lists. I had adult gay titles (including erotica) under my name, but ALL my books, including my non-queer children's titles, had their sales ranking stripped. 🤬🤬

A new component of the ongoing shadowbanning of romance and erotica (and also often just queer) titles on Amazon: disabling affiliate income. If you're in a position to shift your affiliate links aways from Amazon, now's a good time. More info in the link below:

If you're using Amazon Affiliates you may have noticed that some books, specifically erotic and erotic romance titles, are no longer eligible for affiliate income. @iheartsapphfic.bsky.social noticed this and wrote a full explainer as to what's going on. Y'all remember #AmazonFail?

Happy birthday to @authormsbev.bsky.social! I hope everything is delicious and marvelous on your new journey around the sun.

Give the gift of more romance nonsense this Valentine's Day! After Dark subscriptions are 10% off with code VDAY26 https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/2026/02/you-can-gift-a-smart-bitches-after-dark-membership/

With one now-deleted video, Virginia Johnson, CEO of Anytime Author Events, appears to have set off a furious reaction among romance readers and authors - which is almost impressive considering the number of events that are potentially involved.

If you're seeking a nifty gift for the Valentine, Galentine, or Y'allentine in your life, I have a coupon for you good for 10% off a Smart Bitches After Dark subscription. Come join the mayhem!

Bluesky is a twitter edgelord circa 2022 compared to Threads, which is like if the Hamilton fanfic authors on Tumblr were given cocaine

Chadwick Boseman and James van der Beek both died in their 40s of an illness that's treatable if a colonoscopy catches it but almost no insurer covers them for people under 45, this is what Engels meant by "social murder"

HE DID NOT CALL YOU CRUSTY. I had already blocked this fuckaroo but oh my word I have some crust for him.

never seen a better clapback to "just playing devil's advocate," this made me screech

Carpathian Bisons are saving my mood today. 💕

I LOVE FEBRUARYYYYYYYYYYYYY! Every year just a little more unhinged. Whether it's AI authors getting a tongue bath or lists of books that are swoon worthy with very curious interpretations of "swoon." It's just nonstop.

My guest this week is Julia Quinn! Ofc we talk about JQ Editions & historicals - but also about book banning, and the need to show up and be loud. Psst - there's also some news about which titles from Lisa Kleypas and Julie Anne Long will be part of JQ Editions 2027. bit.ly/704JuliaQuinn

I'm writing up a post about the importance of typography in book covers, which made me think of this. It still makes me laugh, every time I see it.

*new* from me: As pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training, three front office staffers spoke to me about helping Latino baseball players and their families navigate an America ravaged by ICE raids. They say guidance from MLB has been “minimal” so their teams are getting creative.

“Humans in groups can be weird.” As the kids say, that’s a bar.

I just read this based on an A review from @smartbitches.bsky.social It was pretty good!

There was an interesting article in the SBTB @smartbitches.bsky.social newsletter about the development of early C20th pulp romances, where you can apparently see the development of the HEA becoming the defining attribute of romances, so it's approx 80-100 years old as the key marker of romance.

I've been practically bursting at the seams, sitting on this, but it's finally here: I'm honored to have a piece featured on @smartbitches.bsky.social today, talking about the #romance pulps, my personal journey with them, and my anthology, THE BEST OF ALL-STORY LOVE: 1929! #pulp #romancelandia

My episode with @ceilidhann.bsky.social is all about Oscar nominations, and also about celebrity brands and exploitation. In this clip: Kayleigh got blocked for criticizing a celebrity for mining their child's vulnerability for content. "It's not content." Listen here: bit.ly/703Kayleigh

This does not seem great. (And yes, I went and looked, as far as I know this is a genuine tweet from a genuine local Twin Cities reporter.)

I just backed Burn It All Down, the feminist sports podcast you need on @kickstarter.com This is because I've been following @jessicawluther.com since she was "speakers corner ATX" and I freaking love her work. Everyone involved is someone I want to hear from. Cheers, y'all, and good luck. 🎙️

This *has* to exist. Anybody?

One of my favorite parts of Black History Month: sign up to receive an email with a specific curated piece of Black history. Every single one is fascinating. I think this started in 2020 or 2021, and I love it every year. www.28daysofblackhistory.com

Gonna take the site out for an ill-advised rager where it discovers why you don’t chase tequila shooters with Irish car bombs!

I’m pretty sure I’ve been reading SBTB for close to 20 years at this point. Sarah and the gang have made something that I love so much (romance) even more fun. They are the absolute best! Happy Anniversary 🥂

Hey, guess what? Smart Bitches is 21 years old today! 🍾🥂 So we're giving away custom champagne flutes because obviously. Happy anniversary to us!

I was a guest on Under the Influence with @jopiazza.skystack.xyz to talk about... Wait, you should guess. You'll never guess. Does it rhyme with Schmeeted Pievalry? Maaaaaybe.

I wonder if it's category or keyword related. For instance, Heated Rivalry is excluded, but only the kindle version. You can use an affiliate link fine on the book or audios. I couldn't see any common thread. I thought there might be swearing in blurbs or conflicting category placements, but..

Hey, queer authors. Is this happening with your books?

wow. i had no idea, but yes i see this on certain things. wtf.

Those of you with AmZ Affiliate accounts, have you noticed that a lot of erotic & LGBTQ+ books are "excluded"? In the site stripe banner at the top it'll say "Excluded Product: This product is excluded from the Associates Program. Please link to a related product or category instead." Anyone?

Oprah’s coaching tree sucks beyond belief.

I’ve never had a chance to post this before, and am a little nervous about it, but: I would be absolutely delighted if you put Murder by Memory on your Hugo nomination list, please and thank you.

Those of you with AmZ Affiliate accounts, have you noticed that a lot of erotic & LGBTQ+ books are "excluded"? In the site stripe banner at the top it'll say "Excluded Product: This product is excluded from the Associates Program. Please link to a related product or category instead." Anyone?

It looks like I'm QT dunking on you when I swear I'm not (sorry). It's so absurd when that is the marketing angle because it alienates people who LIKE that genre and it makes the work itself appear rudderless. If you're defining by saying what it's better than, or what it's not, what is it then?

Look it's the TV version of TRANSCENDS THE GENRE! Everybody drink!

A lot of really good analysis here as to why TV historically hasn't made shows like #HeatedRivaly. For Reasons (most of them dumb! frustrating!), TV continues to leave money on the table (aside from Hallmark etc). Not ideal! I hope the success of HR changes this however +

Apparently someone is also pretending to be me in order to market author services to other authors, using the account [email protected]. Please know: **IT'S NOT ME.** Believe me, I know very little about marketing (😂😭) and would never dare to advise others about the topic!

EXTREMELY IMPORTANT: If you receive a marketing pitch from "Smart Bitches Strategic Partnerships," IT IS NOT US. Big thanks to the Cold War historian who forwarded me the scam email he received. AGAIN: NOT US.

@smartbitches.bsky.social Can't wait to listen! We're working hard to find new excuses to rewatch! Would love for you to join us on February 21 at 6 PM EST! All are welcome!

On your feet, Rebels of #Connecticut (CT), #Michigan (MI), #Wisconsin (WI)! It's never too early to rise with the American Robin on your side. This #rebelbird is quick to sound an alarm, holds its ground, and keeps singing even when things turn dark. RISE! RESIST! ROBIN!

Calling all rebel delegations in the #Kansas (KS), Montana (MT), #Nebraska (NE), #NorthDakota (ND), #Oregon (OR), and #Wyoming (WY) sectors! Your #rebelbird is ready for action! Western Meadowlark reporting in!