We’re baaaaack! Okay, so we’re releasing our holiday movies episode in February…but *gestures at the world*. We hope the absolute delight of having Andie and Naima back will help to make up for it. We discuss The Holidate and Happiest Season–and how we were shocked that we loved the one we thought we’d hate and hated the one we thought we’d love. In addition to the movies, we talk about our worst first kisses, why Andie is going to be the “vodka aunt”, and what dating life might be like post-COVID.
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This week we chat with the hilarious duo of Naima Simone and Andie J. Christopher. We discuss the steamy, absurd Netflix movie “365 DNI.” Get ready to laugh your asses off as we talk about sexy butts, glimpses of penis, and why Naima is a kidnapping victim waiting to happen.
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We’re back with another book recs and laughs episode! This week we chat with authors Alexa Martin and Eva Moore. We discuss life, moving, parenting, and the books that have been getting them through quarantine.
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There is a world only a few clicks away if you know where to look. A world of desire, love, and friendship. A place where you can share your passion for romance with others. This place is called Romancelandia. And if you are reading this, congratulations! You’ve found us. Now, let us show you around…
Welcome to Romancelandia
Proud Citizen
When you first discover your love of romance, it’s easy to buy whatever books cross your path. If the blurb sounds good, you buy it. Over time, you become more discerning and purposeful in your purchases. You grow to find tropes and authors you love because they resonate with something inside of you.
When we feel a connection with an author’s work, it’s only natural to feel drawn to their voice and the way they see the world. We want more of the world and characters they create and will do anything to have them. That’s why reader support is so critical to an author’s success. It helps our favorite authors create the works that we love.
There are a number of things we as proud citizens of Romancelandia can do to support these authors.
Pre-order their books Pre-orders are critical to the success of a book launch. All pre-orders get added to the first week’s total of sales. Due to many changes in the way top lists rank books, this might be the only way a romance author can make the list. If it’s an author on your auto-buy list, consider clicking that pre-order button when available.
Review their books Ask yourself honestly, how do you decide if you are going to read a book? Or decide to purchase anything these days? The chances are your decision relies heavily on how the product is reviewed. If you truly love a book, a simple rating and one word review goes a long way. Even if there were parts of the book you didn’t like, it’s still helpful. Maybe someone else will see your review and realize the book isn’t for them. It saves the author from having a potentially bad review. All reviews help in their own way. It also might alert another reader to a trope or plotline they enjoy, and you’ve helped the author gain a new reader!
Support them through social media Most of your favorite authors have some form of social media presence. Maybe it’s just an instagram account or maybe they have an entire Facebook group where they interact with their readers. Find your authors, follow them and like them. Every little bit makes a difference.
Spread the word Now that you are following your favorite authors on social media, you can share their posts about upcoming releases and book reveals. Tell your friends about them. Recommend them in other groups. Shout your love to the rooftops.
Support them on Patreon Many authors have created Patreon accounts to share special content and give their fans a chance to participate in the creation of their content. Katee Robert (Episodes #68) let her Patreon subscribers decide which villain would be the anti-hero in her next Wicked Villains series. And Piper Drake (Episodes #71 and #117), shares practical advice on how she maintains her writing schedule while working a highly demanding day job and recipes from her adventures in the kitchen. (Psst! The Wicked Wafflowers Club has a Patreon, too. If you want to support your favorite podcast, visit the page here.)
Support the Community The more you interact with people within the community of Romancelandia, the more you see the other ways we support each other. There are numerous fundraisers and campaigns for the causes that are so near and dear to us, like Romance for RAICES which raised over $23,000 last year for The Refugee and Immigration Center for Education and Legal Services or Romance for Literacy, which is currently raising money for ProLiteracy, an organization that promotes adult literacy.
Remember, you vote with your dollar. Be sure that the authors you support with your dollar are worthy of lt. The romance community is the most powerful community in publishing. With every dollar, you are shaping the future. Ask yourself if the books you’re reading reflect the world around you and the world you want to see? Does it reflect a world of diversity and empathy for those who are not like you? Does it elevate the voices of marginalized groups so that they may finally be heard? Consider the impact of the books you buy and the authors you support.
Next month, we will explore the people and places in Romancelandia we all long to see.
It’s time for another book recs and laughs episode. We’re joined once again by Christina Hobbes and Lauren Billings, the dynamic duo that makes up New York Times Bestselling author Christina Lauren! This time, they’re back to share some book recs and some funny stories with us. We also discuss TV shows, how we’re all occupying ourselves during quarantine, and where you should start if you’re going to pick up your first CLo book as a quarantine read!
WAYS TO LISTEN
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This week, we were lucky enough to sit down with Erin Galloway and Jessica Brock from Berkley Romance. We discuss some of the most exciting books coming from Berkley in 2020! Get ready for your TBR list to explode…
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There is a world only a few clicks away if you know where to look. A world of desire, love, and friendship. A place where you can share your passion for romance with others. This place is called Romancelandia. And if you are reading this, congratulations! You’ve found us. Now, let us show you around…
Welcome to Romancelandia
Your Traveler’s Guide to the World of Romance
Romancelandia has a reading problem. It’s true! We simply can’t stop ourselves. We want to read ALL THE TIME, because really, who needs sleep? We live on coffee and passion. And while that might sustain us, unfortunately, it doesn’t keep us in books. That, my friend, takes money. And sometimes money can be tight. We understand this, so we’ve prepared a guide to help you get the most out of your money while adding to that glorious TBR (To Be Read) pile.
Our first stop is the library.
This one is easy. Your local library is an excellent resource for books: both physical and electronic. Many libraries loan ebooks and audiobooks using apps like Overdrive, Libby, or Hoopla. Using these apps is as simple as finding your library system and entering your library card information.
If your local library doesn’t yet have an ebook library, there are many public libraries that will issue you a non-resident library card for a yearly fee.
And if you commute for work, you may be eligible for a library card in the city you work.
Next we have used bookstores, thrift stores and more.
If you are lucky, you have a good used bookstore near you. But if you aren’t, you can still check out your local thrift stores or pop into that yard sale down the street. Even your local library is a good place to check for sales. Often they sell discontinued or donated books at a fraction of the suggested retail price. And if all that fails, there are many places online that sell used books, including Amazon.
Try subscribing to Bookbub or Freebooksy.
Sites like Bookbub and Freebooksy are gaining popularity with readers and authors alike. It’s a great way to keep track of free and discounted books but also stay informed about your favorite authors. Bookbub will alert you with new releases or sales from the authors you follow. If you want to try an author, but you aren’t sure you want to pay full price for one of their books, follow the author and wait for a sale.
Do you Review Books?
Did you know that you can get publishers to send you books for free? While terms may change per book and/or publisher, it generally only requires an honest review. Reviews are one the best things you can do to support an author you love. If you aren’t doing this already, consider posting a review on Amazon or Goodreads to tell everyone about the books you love. If you are interested in exploring this further, head over to Netgalley for more information.
And our last stop: Amazon Loans.
If you have a romance reading buddy with a healthy ebook library, ask for some recommendations and see if the book can be loaned. Amazon loans last two weeks but as quick as we read, that should be plenty of time.
Every citizen of Romancelandia is entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of romance! Don’t let a lack of funds stand in your way. There is never a shortage of books. You just have to know where to look.
This month we showed you how to save on books, next month we talk about all the ways you can put your money to good use supporting your community and the authors you love.
We’re joined by Tessa Woodward, Executive Editor at Avon! We chat about what, exactly, an editor does, her favorite and least favorite parts of the process, what makes a manuscript stand out, and her manuscript wish list.
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If you haven’t joined our Facebook group yet, you’re missing out on the fun! Find our Wicked Wallflowers Coven HERE! If you have a moment to leave us a rating on iTunes, we would be ever so grateful!
