
Empowering Voices: The Indie Bookstore Revolution with Nicole from Bettie's Pages
Season 5, Episode 563: Empowering Voices: The Indie Bookstore Revolution with Nicole from Bettie's Pages Bookstore. Join Ruan Willow in this enlightening episode as she chats with Nicole, the passionate owner of Bettie's Pages bookstore in Lowell, Michigan. Nicole shares her journey of running an indie bookstore in a small town, where she strives to create an inclusive space that reflects diverse voices and stories. Discover how she curates her collection to ensure everyone in her community can see themselves represented in literature, and the challenges she faces along the way. Nicole also shares invaluable tips for Indie authors to get their physical books into bookstores, how they should approach covers, marketing, and what book buyers look for. This is invaluable advice for those choosing to be indie authors doing indie publishing. Get the super important inside scoop from someone who sells books for a living! In this episode, they discuss the impact of literature on identity, the importance of representation for LGBTQIA and BIPOC communities, and how indie bookstores are vital in promoting diverse narratives that big publishers often overlook. Nicole also reveals her exciting plans for a mobile bookstore. Connect with Nicole and her bookstore: www.bettiespages.com www.facebook.com/bettiespagesbookstore www.instagram.com/betties_pages www.tiktok.com/@bettiespages 06:43 I would get hateful comments on social media 11:16 Genres in your bookstore 16:21 Making covers for indie books 22:50 I'm loving seeing romance only bookstores 28:20 People who bash graphic novels on social media are just ignorant trolls 32:16 With audiobooks, people have an immediate reaction to voices 34:03 So what advice do you have for authors who are indie publishers 36:32 What do you think about the trend of indie publisher rising and getting more publicity 42:21 Books about love are often trashed because they're written by women 48:31 The Supreme Court has ruled that book banning is wrong 53:59 One thing Indie publishing has championed is content warnings at the beginning of books 57:19 readers like trigger warnings 58:50 weddings at your bookstore 01:01:09 Betty's bookstore is celebrating its 5th anniversary 01:03:50 Bookshop.org lets you support independent bookstores without using Amazon. Visit https://bookshop.org/ to buy books and support any indie bookstore of your choice anywhere in the country! They have physical books and now ebooks too! Independent bookstores list and tips on getting books into their stores: https://ruanwillowauthor.com/tips-for-indie-authors-to-help-get-their-books-into-independent-bookstores/ Ruan's bookshop dot org shop: https://bookshop.org/shop/ruanwillowpinkinfinitypublishing Support the show Newsletters https://subscribepage.io/ruanwillow https://linktr.ee/RuanWillow Affiliate Firm Tech 15% OFF with code ruan15 https://myfirmtech.com/ruanwillow
31 Tammi 1h 5min

Office Sex, Age Gap Older Woman Younger Man: The Hotwife and Her Intern by Grace Beaumont
Episode 561: Office Sex, Age Gap Older Woman Younger Man: The Hotwife and Her Intern by Grace Beaumont. Enjoy an erotic fiction excerpt! About the Author: Grace Beaumont loves writing stories about slutty older women getting exactly what they need from the hot young men who will worship them like they deserve—all while their husbands watch and enjoy, of course. She plays with themes of bondage, spanking, and denial, and the smallest soupçon of submission. Grace's Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Grace-Beaumont/author/B0CXHTVKC8 Get the spicy book! Erotica excerpt from: the charity anthology fiction book Not So Guilty Pleasures: 45+ Filthy Stories for a Cause, ALL PROCEEDS GO TO WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN FOR HELP WITH HURRICANE & DISASTER FIRE RELIEF https://books.ruanwillowauthor.com/charityanthology (any money made from my affiliate link usage to buy the anthology will also be donated to the same charity). It is also in Kindle Unlimited (for a limited time). Anthology Blurb: We've got a smorgasbord of steamy delights that'll make your toes curl and your cheeks flush. From forbidden fruit to second helpings of love, we've got more flavors than your local ice cream shop - and trust us, you'll want to sample them all. Whether you like your romance sweet and subtle or hot enough to set off smoke alarms, we've got a story to tickle your fancy (and maybe a few other places). So go ahead, indulge in these not-so-guilty pleasures. After all, it's for charity - you're practically a saint! Not-So-Guilty Pleasures is a charity anthology benefiting World Central Kitchen (for help with the hurricane and other disaster relief). Enjoy storytelling about spicy relationships, hot erotica stories, erotica romance, and self care for you! Take time to pay attention to your mental health sexual health. Pleasure is your birthright! Romance Book Blast: 1,000 FREE ebooks … all different subgenres of romance at https://www.romancebooklovers.com/ My book for free is my full-length novel I Dare You: The Saturday Sex Challenge under the erotica and erotic fiction section. This is a one-day event. Act now! Please enjoy and help out the authors by providing the world with your review! Thanks in advance! Enjoy! Ruan's latest audiobook releases: Never Say, Never Swing, Friends to Lovers https://books.ruanwillowauthor.com/neversayneverswingaudiobook Protectors: A Warrior's Requiem, Chronicles of Protectors, Superheroes, music themes, time travel, sexy intimate relations https://books.ruanwillowauthor.com/protectorsaudiobook Support the show Newsletters https://subscribepage.io/ruanwillow https://linktr.ee/RuanWillow Affiliate Firm Tech 15% OFF with code ruan15 https://myfirmtech.com/ruanwillow
29 Tammi 23min

Breaking Taboos, Embracing Kink, and Pleasure with Dr. Nazanin Moali, aka Dr. Naz
Ep 560: Breaking Taboos, Embracing Kink, and Pleasure with Dr. Nazanin Moali, aka Dr. Naz of the Sexology Podcast. Navigating Intimacy and Embracing Desire with Dr. Nazanin Moali. Join Ruan Willow as she engages in a captivating discussion with Dr. Naz, a clinical psychologist and certified sex therapist, who is dedicated to helping individuals and couples achieve fulfilling sex lives. Dr. Naz shares her unique journey from post-revolution Iran to becoming a trusted expert in intimacy and relationships in Los Angeles. In this episode, they explore the complexities of kinks and fantasies, the challenges of sexless marriages, and the importance of communication in relationships. Dr. Naz emphasizes the significance of breaking down societal taboos surrounding sexuality, and how understanding our own desires can lead to deeper connections. Tune in for insights on fostering a more authentic love life and the transformative power of sexual self-discovery. Timeline: 00:21 - Dr. Naz is a clinical psychologist, Certified sex therapist 03:47 - Misconceptions in society about what kink means 06:06 - Going to sex therapy can be a good tool for some people 12:59 - Even when you're dating, experiment with saying no to non sexual things 20:02 - Many women blame society for not being able to experience an orgasm 26:26 - There's nothing wrong with enjoying porn that you don't actually want to do 27:53 - The orgasm gap gets misrepresented as a knowledge gap 35:24 - Do you feel that midlife couples have less frequent sex than younger generations 40:05 - Being transparent about sexual experiences with your therapist is very important 47:44 - Part of your work is doing sex education for people struggling with sexual health 50:16 - So do you find yourself ever suggesting sex toys for clients too 51:46 - Your podcast about science of sex and pleasure 53:40 - Many people find boredom is a big issue in their relationship 58:16 - What advice do you have for people looking to improve their sexuality 01:00:30 - I want people to keep in mind that whatever you like, you're not defective Quotes from Dr. Naz "There's nothing wrong with that. But you definitely need to cherish your desires." "Whatever you like, you're not defective. There's a galaxy of people out there that are interested in that." Find out more: Nazanin Moali, Ph.D., CST (she/her/hers) Psychologist, AASECT Certified Sex Therapist www.oasis2care.com Creator and Host of Sexology Podcast http://www.sexologypodcast.com/ Facebook @oasis2carke IG @sexologypodcast Show notes created with the assistance of headliner app Ruan's latest audiobook releases: Never Say, Never Swing, Friends to Lovers https://books.ruanwillowauthor.com/neversayneverswingaudiobook Protectors: A Warrior's Requiem, Chronicles of Protectors, Superheroes, music themes, time travel, sexy intimate relations https://books.ruanwillowauthor.com/protectorsaudiobook Support the show Newsletters https://subscribepage.io/ruanwillow https://linktr.ee/RuanWillow Affiliate Firm Tech 15% OFF with code ruan15 https://myfirmtech.com/ruanwillow
24 Tammi 1h 3min

Vampire Erotica Fiction Excerpt from Birthday Cake by Johnna Dee
Ep 558: Vampire Erotica Fiction Excerpt from Birthday Cake by author Johnna Dee, narrated by Ruan Willow. About the Author:Author Johnna Dee is a spicy fantasy romance writer. Initially, her creative journey began with poetry, where she honed her skills in crafting evocative and lyrical verses. As her passion for storytelling grew, she ventured into the realm of novels, weaving intricate plots and enchanting worlds that transport readers to extraordinary realms. Connect with Johnna: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BRW38RD7 http://www.linktr.ee/johnnadee About the Anthology: Get the spicy book! Erotica excerpt from: the charity anthology fiction book Not So Guilty Pleasures: 45+ Filthy Stories for a Cause, ALL PROCEEDS GO TO WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN FOR HELP WITH HURRICANE RELIEF https://books.ruanwillowauthor.com/charityanthology (any money made from my affiliate link usage to buy the anthology will also be donated to the same charity). It is also in Kindle Unlimited (for a limited time). Anthology Blurb: We've got a smorgasbord of steamy delights that'll make your toes curl and your cheeks flush. From forbidden fruit to second helpings of love, we've got more flavors than your local ice cream shop - and trust us, you'll want to sample them all. Whether you like your romance sweet and subtle or hot enough to set off smoke alarms, we've got a story to tickle your fancy (and maybe a few other places). So go ahead, indulge in these not-so-guilty pleasures. After all, it's for charity - you're practically a saint! Not-So-Guilty Pleasures is a charity anthology benefiting World Central Kitchen (for help with the hurricane relief). Announcements: Did you play spicy book bingo? It's over, but prices have been awarded! Find out more at https://www.intrigueverse.com/ Book raffle! By the upcoming Nomad's Mobile Bookstore! That's right! A bus bookstore! Featuring INDIE AUTHORS! Enter the raffle for just $5 for the potential to win 16 signed books by indie authors PLUS 5 more books! Must be in the US. Void where prohibited. Rules on the site. I have a book in this raffle too! Check out more details and for how to enter at this link. Hurry! It ends January 25, 2025! https://crowdfundr.com/perks/eUNB8?ref=ab_0N1yYvN1qoL0N1yYvN1qoL Find out more also on Instagram: http://instagram.com/nomadsmobilebookstore Ruan's new book: In Scarlet's House witch, magic, Femdom, MF, woman on woman love, sexuality, relationships, erotic horror and suspense novella. ARC https://booksirens.com/book/X6YLPQR/RWYTBAU Purchase: https://books.ruanwillowauthor.com/inscarletshouse Support the show Newsletters https://subscribepage.io/ruanwillow https://linktr.ee/RuanWillow Affiliate Firm Tech 15% OFF with code ruan15 https://myfirmtech.com/ruanwillow
21 Tammi 26min

Exploring Sexual Self Discovery in Midlife and Kinky Queer Erotic Writing with Anna Sansom
Ep 557: Exploring Sexual Self Discovery in Midlife and Kinky Queer Erotic Writing with Anna Sansom: Reclaiming Desire and Writing to Your Edges. Join Ruan Willow as she delves into an intimate conversation with Anna Sansom, a midlife, kinky queer writer whose work spans erotic fiction and personal essays on sexuality and relationships. Anna shares her journey through the transformative power of masturbation and how it became a spiritual practice that saved her life. Her latest anthology, "Sex Meets Life," is a collection of stories from 17 diverse authors exploring the intersection of sex and life's challenges. (affiliate link) Book "Sex Meets Life" https://amzn.to/4h10sta Discover Anna's insights on the importance of self-exploration, the reclamation of desire, and the significance of writing to your edges. This episode is a celebration of diversity, inclusivity, and the power of storytelling in understanding our sexual selves. Don't miss Anna's captivating reading from her anthology, a piece that will leave you reflecting on your own journey of sexual discovery. 🗣️ Quotes from Anna Sansom "Masturbation was a double act. My mind and body both had to be present for it to work." "I love shining a light on these things, you know, that's partly why I write." "Writing is a doorway in." "We create the things we want to see in the world." 🗣️ Quotes from Ruan Willow "We weren't given these sensations to not feel them." Dive into the world of erotic writing with Anna Sansom! Discover the power of spicy storytelling and self-publishing. Connect with Anna: Substack: https://annasansom.substack.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna_sansom_writer/ Website: https://annasansom.com/about-anna-2/ Her erotic short stories have been published in anthologies and online, including Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 10 https://amzn.to/4hkkCxV ; The Big Book of Quickies https://amzn.to/3Wr1039; I Write the Body; and Take it Outside and she is a founding author of Theo Reads. As well as short stories, she has a lesbian, BDSM erotic novel called Coming Close, 2nd Edition https://amzn.to/40fQVY2 2024 Golden Pigtails Awards for Smut, Erotic books, and audiobooks. Nominate your favorite erotica books by January 21, 2025 at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdzYvYr10OQY8Li0C82vf7q5Ve-Pg89mDHZ0UPoH_OdXj01wA/viewform Ruan's new audiobook "Protectors" with superheroes, time travel, action, and sex scenes at https://books.ruanwillowauthor.com/protectorsaudiobook Support the show Newsletters https://subscribepage.io/ruanwillow https://linktr.ee/RuanWillow Affiliate Firm Tech 15% OFF with code ruan15 https://myfirmtech.com/ruanwillow
17 Tammi 1h 28min

Wild Magic MMMF Monster F*cker Erotica Excerpt by Rachel J Thompson
Ep 556: Wild Magic MMMF Monster F*cker Erotica Excerpt by Rachel J Thompson. MEET THE AUTHOR: Rachel J Thompson is a writer of smutty and spooky fiction and is based in Los Angeles. She enjoys long walks through the back shelves of the video store, adding Taco Bell Diablo sauce to everything, and spends an inordinate amount of time trying to remove cat hair from her mostly black wardrobe. She can be found on Twitter and Instagram as @vhs_kitten Get the spicy book! Erotica excerpt from: the charity anthology fiction book Not So Guilty Pleasures: 45+ Filthy Stories for a Cause, ALL PROCEEDS GO TO WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN FOR HELP WITH HURRICANE & DISASTER FIRE RELIEF https://books.ruanwillowauthor.com/charityanthology (any money made from my affiliate link usage to buy the anthology will also be donated to the same charity). It is also in Kindle Unlimited (for a limited time). Anthology Blurb: We've got a smorgasbord of steamy delights that'll make your toes curl and your cheeks flush. From forbidden fruit to second helpings of love, we've got more flavors than your local ice cream shop - and trust us, you'll want to sample them all. Whether you like your romance sweet and subtle or hot enough to set off smoke alarms, we've got a story to tickle your fancy (and maybe a few other places). So go ahead, indulge in these not-so-guilty pleasures. After all, it's for charity - you're practically a saint! Not-So-Guilty Pleasures is a charity anthology benefiting World Central Kitchen (for help with the hurricane and other disaster relief). Did you play Holiday Spicy Book Bingo? Turn in your game cards now! Learn more here: https://geni.us/BingoCard Exercise your sexuality daily! Sexual health is mental health! Marinate in your sexuality daily and enjoy your relationships, cherish them! Enjoy the spicy entertainment! Enjoy the dark sci fi fantasy of a witch getting busy with three demon monsters! Emma's Policy, a new audiobook $7.99, a very taboo male domination, humiliation, degradation, blackmail, BDSM, manipulation, a VERY DARK kinks audiobook I just narrated and is now released. Find out more here: https://alltheseroadworks.com/product/emmas-policy-audiobook-narrated-by-ruan-willow/ Podcast Host Ruan Willow's Books: http://books.ruanwillowauthor.com/ Support the show Newsletters https://subscribepage.io/ruanwillow https://linktr.ee/RuanWillow Affiliate Firm Tech 15% OFF with code ruan15 https://myfirmtech.com/ruanwillow
14 Tammi 18min

Writing the Queer Experience: Mx Sinclair Sexsmith on Kink Storytelling, Erotica, and D/s Relationships
Season 5, Ep 555: Writing the Queer Experience: Mx Sinclair Sexsmith on Kink Storytelling, Erotica, and D/s Relationships. Meet the author! SINCLAIR SEXSMITH (they/them) is a queer butch writer focusing on sexualities, genders, kink, and relationships. Their short story collection, Sweet & Rough: Queer Kink Erotica, was a 2016 finalist for a Lambda Literary Award, and they are the editor of 5 editions of Best Lesbian Erotica. Find more of their work at sugarbutch.net. Books: Best Lesbian Erotica (affiliate links, podcast may receive commissions on sales through this link. Thank you!) https://amzn.to/3PurEo0 "Your Year in Kink" Workbook https://amzn.to/3WdrOUH "The Harder She Comes: Butch Femme Erotica" https://amzn.to/424GWYb Links: https://theoreads.com/ https://dsplayground.com/ http://writingspicy.com/ Quotes from Sinclair Sexsmith: "I can't stop writing. Like, I need to write to understand myself and understand the world." "I think writer's block is a myth." "I love the inner world stuff and I think writing is one of the best places to express that." "I want to encourage more queers and trans folks, and like kinky folks, to write down their stories." In this episode, Ruan and Sinclair discuss their shared passion for writing, the challenges of titling works, and the complexities of self-publishing in the erotica genre. They explore the nuances of writing about sex and intimacy, the importance of queer representation in literature, and the creative process behind crafting compelling narratives. Sinclair shares their thoughts on the intersection of writing and sex work, the drive to create authentic queer stories and queer fiction, the writing process, publishing, and the transformative power of literature. They also discuss the upcoming platform Theo Reads, which promises to be a haven for erotica and romance writers and readers alike. Timeline: 02:41 Do you like writing, teaching or creating 08:14 I feel pretty strongly that writing about sex is non sex work 10:09 There's still a lack of representation of queer sex in mainstream erotica 16:38 How are you with titles? 18:53 Pretty much everything I write has D/s 28:48 What are other are your favorite kinks to write 29:57 So when you're writing, do you start with your idea or do you 40:22 What is too personal to share, what is too vulnerable to share 43:39 Like separating the writing and publishing process is important 49:12 reading out loud is probably his number one editing tool 53:48 all about like your courses 56:54 This workbook is about reflecting on someone's kink life 01:01:42 What are you working on right now that you can share 01:02:59 When my dad died I was like, why am I not writing more 01:07:24 lgtbq and writing Coming out to your family can be tricky and painful headliner app Support the show Newsletters https://subscribepage.io/ruanwillow https://linktr.ee/RuanWillow Affiliate Firm Tech 15% OFF with code ruan15 https://myfirmtech.com/ruanwillow
10 Tammi 1h 17min

Blow Job, My Night as a Truck Stop Hooker by Kirsten McCurran
Ep 553: The Blow Job, My Night as a Truck Stop Hooker written by Kirsten McCurran, and erotic fiction excerpt narrated by the podcast host Ruan Willow. "Kirsten McCurran" is a bestselling wife and husband writing team who've been sharing their sexy stories for over a decade. They love dreaming up fantasies about typical suburban couples finding their kinky side. Find Kirsten McCurran wherever ebooks are sold. Get the spicy book! Erotica excerpt from: the charity anthology fiction book Not So Guilty Pleasures: 45+ Filthy Stories for a Cause, ALL PROCEEDS GO TO WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN FOR HELP WITH HURRICANE RELIEF https://books.ruanwillowauthor.com/charityanthology (any money made from my affiliate link usage to buy the anthology will also be donated to the same charity). It is also in Kindle Unlimited (for a limited time). Anthology Blurb: We've got a smorgasbord of steamy delights that'll make your toes curl and your cheeks flush. From forbidden fruit to second helpings of love, we've got more flavors than your local ice cream shop - and trust us, you'll want to sample them all. Whether you like your romance sweet and subtle or hot enough to set off smoke alarms, we've got a story to tickle your fancy (and maybe a few other places). So go ahead, indulge in these not-so-guilty pleasures. After all, it's for charity - you're practically a saint! Not-So-Guilty Pleasures is a charity anthology benefiting World Central Kitchen (for help with the hurricane relief). Did you play Holiday Spicy Book Bingo? Turn in your game cards now! Learn more here: https://geni.us/BingoCard Exercise your sexuality daily! Sexual health is mental health! Marinate in your sexuality daily and enjoy your relationships, cherish them! Enjoy the spicy entertainment! Emma's Policy, a new audiobook $7.99, a very taboo male domination, humiliation, degradation, blackmail, BDSM, manipulation, a VERY DARK kinks audiobook I just narrated and is now released. Find out more here: https://alltheseroadworks.com/product/emmas-policy-audiobook-narrated-by-ruan-willow/ Podcast Host Ruan Willow's Books: http://books.ruanwillowauthor.com/ Support the show Newsletters https://subscribepage.io/ruanwillow https://linktr.ee/RuanWillow Affiliate Firm Tech 15% OFF with code ruan15 https://myfirmtech.com/ruanwillow
7 Tammi 17min






















