In this episode, TJ Alexander and I celebrate their new historical romance A Lady For All Seasons, a Shakespearean-esque screwball comedy with an unforgettable genderfluid lead. Then TJ introduces me to the real queer historical figures who inspired their characters, like the Ladies of Llangollen and Lord Byron. Plus: what you should know about the first proposed national book ban, and the importance of annoying queer representation. Pretentious queer artists deserve rights too, you guys.

Follow TJ on Instagram as @tjalexandernyc, and find their newsletter and other links at tjalexander.com

Purchase TJ's books from the Rebel Ever After affiliate bookstore at bit.ly/REABooks

Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the Rebel Ever After Discord server, Ella's newsletter, and other bonuses! Save 10% when you buy an annual membership — your financial support makes this independent podcast possible.

Learn more about HR 7661 and other censorship threats by supporting Authors Against Book Bans.

Other media mentioned this episode:

• The Allusionist podcast episode about Fiona Macleod.
• TJ's latest guest episode on the Historical Romance Sampler.

Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen. Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons.

This week my guest is queer BDSM romance author Kate Hawthorne, who also writes as Nikki Markham. We talked about the nuance of depicting ongoing negotiation and consent on the page, accountability in kink communities, and the long-lasting appeal of submissive coming out stories. Plus: why everyone needs a good platonic spanking.

We do discuss some potentially triggering topics like what abuse can look like within a BDSM dynamic, particularly in undernegotiated power exchange relationships. That being said, BDSM is not inherently abusive and we do not conflate the two.

Follow Kate on Instagram and Threads @kate.hawthorne or go to www.katehawthornebooks.com.

Breaking The Mold is available for pre-order now! You can find Kate's books on Kindle Unlimited, and in the Rebel Ever After affiliate bookstore on Bookshop.org at bit.ly/REAbooks

Reserve your ticket to our Romance Read-In to benefit Authors Against Book Bans on April 29th: https://bookclubbar.com/events/4612720260429

Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast. Save 10% when you buy an annual membership! Your financial support makes this independent production possible.

Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen. Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons.

Books and authors mentioned this episode:

• Danielle Steele
• Norah Roberts
• Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James
• Heated Rivalry (Crave, 2025)
• The Princess Knight by Cait Jacobs

This week on Rebel Ever After, my guest is Adib Khorram, a queer Iranian American author of fiction for all ages. His adult romances are I'LL HAVE WHAT HE'S HAVING and IT HAD TO BE HIM, and his newest YA novel ONE WORD, SIX LETTERS comes out March 17th. We had a wide ranging conversation about queer joy versus queer liberation, writing hot sex scenes with occasional farts, and dysmorphia and body neutrality in fiction. Plus: Checking in with the Iranian diaspora, and why we should all move to Kansas City.

Follow Adib on Instagram/Threads @adibkhorram and on BlueSky at @adibkhorram.bsky.social. Join Adib's Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ChateauAdib

Purchase Adib's books from the Rebel Ever After affiliate bookstore at bit.ly/REABooks

Reserve your ticket to our Romance Read-In to benefit Authors Against Book Bans on April 29th: https://bookclubbar.com/events/4612720260429

Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast. Save 10% when you buy an annual membership! Your financial support makes this independent production possible.

Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen. Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons.

Books and authors mentioned this episode:

• Rafe by Rebekah Weatherspoon
• Adriana Herrera's Dreamers series
• Alexis Daria
• Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
• Sierra Simone
• Julian Winters
• M.A. Wardell